In a race for Public Utilities Commissioner from District 1, voters will find three knowledgeable, articulate candidates who have strong credentials for filling the nonpartisan position. The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for either Chris Thobaben or Sherry Erickson while also recognizing James Oneil as a worthy candidate.
As always, this is merely a recommendation designed to provide information and foster discussion. The Columbian trusts that voters will study the candidates and the issues before casting an informed ballot. In this case, we believe a vote for any of the candidates would be a wise one as the Aug. 6 primary narrows the field to two candidates for the November general election.
The winner in November will be elected for a six-year term on a three-person commission that oversees Clark Public Utilities, which provides electricity and water throughout the region. The job is becoming increasingly difficult, with climate change, advancing technology and mandates from lawmakers in Olympia impacting those basic functions….
Erickson, meanwhile, is trained as an engineer and has worked as a consultant for utilities throughout the United States. She has valuable technical knowledge regarding how energy is produced and delivered, as well as the inner workings of utility companies. During an interview with the Editorial Board, she demonstrated a deep understanding of the industry and its challenges.
As she writes in her campaign materials: “Advances in technology and complex customer demands are fundamentally changing the utility industry. We need an energy expert to ensure that the power supply and clean water are uninterrupted.” …
Clark Public Utilities has long delivered reliable, affordable service. But the data centers that accompany the digital age, a growing population, and an increase in the number of electric vehicles present new demands. At a crucial time for the utility, voters are fortunate to have three strong candidates who could present a fresh look at the issues. The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for Chris Thobaben or Sherry Erickson …” (The Columbian 7.18.24)