Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer will seek to retain his seat on the Lewis County Board of Commissioners come next fall.
Brummer filed a financial disclosure with the Washington state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) on Thursday, Jan. 8. The commissioner cannot register for the fall ballot until registration opens up in May, but the filing with the PDC makes his intentions to seek reelection clear.
According to the PDC website, he also already faces a challenger who filed with the commission the same day.
Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) Commissioner Michael Hadaller also filed with the PDC Jan. 8, confirming a long-suspected campaign by the lifetime East Lewis County resident and current District 3 PUD commissioner.
In a statement provided to The Chronicle, Brummer confirmed that he had made the decision to run for reelection and that he would be campaigning largely on the same platform as he did in 2022 with a focus on transparency and the county budget.
“After careful consideration, I have made the decision to seek reelection to represent the citizens of Lewis County as county commissioner in District 3,” Brummer said. “The reasons I wish to continue my service have not changed from why I entered this race four years ago; to ensure honest, transparent and efficient county government that works for the people, building a stronger community now and into the future.”
Brummer represents Lewis County Commissioner District 3, which includes the entirety of the eastern part of the county and portions of the southern part of the county, including Toledo and Vader. The district also represents part of the Winlock area, butting up against the southern border of Winlock city limits.
Brummer was first elected to the seat in 2022 roughly a year after his predecessor, Gary Stamper, died from COVID-19 while still in office. Another former District 3 commissioner, Lee Grose, took over the seat in the interim before Brummer was sworn in immediately after his election victory was certified.
In his statement, Brummer also elaborated on the job ahead, alluding to current and future challenges the county government faces, mostly surrounding the rural county’s budget challenges. He also alluded to the experience he has gained serving in the role since the later months of 2022 and the relationships he has built with other local leaders who are important to the success of the community.
“We face many challenges with continued inflation, revenue reductions, rising property values and state taxation that is hurting families and businesses,” Brummer said. “My commitment remains to put the people first in solving problems and keeping county spending under control, while providing the services people rightfully expect from their tax dollars. I have strived to work collaboratively and built strong relationships with elected officials, city and community leaders, business owners and the people I serve.”
Hadaller was elected to the Lewis County PUD Board of Commissioners in 2023.
“I know what it takes to find and keep good employees, meet a payroll and change with the times,” he told The Chronicle as he campaigned in 2022. “I have real life experience in what it takes to manage a business and satisfy customers … My experience is in small private sector business where every dollar spent really counts on the bottom line. I know firsthand that customer service is a number one priority and the company’s employees must work hard to be paid well.”
Hadaller and Brummer are both Republicans.
