[CCCNFBW] The Columbian: 17th Legislative District Position 1: Kevin Waters vs. Ben Christly

[Merribeth Greenberg]

17th Legislative District Position 1: Kevin Waters vs. Ben Christly
Both candidates say their focus would be on healthcare, education, small
businesses
Photo of Doug Flanagan
By Doug Flanagan, Columbian Staff Reporter
Published: October 15, 2026, 2:00pm
Updated: October 16, 2026, 3:44pm
17th Legislative District Position 1: Kevin Waters vs. Ben Christly - The
Columbian
<https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/oct/15/17th-legislative-district-position-1-kevin-waters-vs-ben-christly/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=Morning+Briefing>

Alt tex of picture(s): Rep. Kevin Waters, left, is facing challenger Ben
Christly in the 17th Legislative District position 1 race. (Contributed
photos)

State Rep. Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, hopes to win another term by
highlighting his experience in business and government and his work on
issues affecting the 17th Legislative District.

Democratic challenger Ben Christly, a Navy veteran and registered nurse, is
making education, healthcare and small-business support the foundation of
his campaign for the district’s No. 1 position.

Waters is a business owner, a former Port of Stevenson commissioner and
corrections officer. He has served as a state representative since 2023. He
said he prioritizes school funding, timber and business revenue,
transportation infrastructure and affordability.

In an email to The Columbian, Waters said that a “McCleary 2.0” solution to
address school funding shortfalls, improvements to Highway 14, a
replacement of the Camas Slough Bridge and reducing barriers to childcare
and affordable housing would be his main priorities if reelected.

17th District House Position 1 Candidates
— 2026 General Election —

Ben Christly
Age: 41 years old
Residence: Vancouver
Party: Democrat
Web site: electbenchristly.com
Education: Associate degree, Ozarks Technical Community College, 2008;
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Missouri State University, 2010; Master’s
degree in sports leadership from Northeastern University, 2022.
Occupation: Flight nurse
Political experience: Clark County Charter Review Commission, Board Council
District 3, Position 1, 2025-current.
Major endorsements: Washington Education Association; Washington State
Labor Council; Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates; Gun Sense Voter,
state Sen. Adrian Cortes, state Rep. Monica Stonier, Vancouver Mayor Anne
McEnerny-Ogle, VoteVets, Vancouver Firefighters Union, IAFF Local 452, SEIU
775, Retired Public Employees Council

Kevin Waters
Age: 50 years old
Residence: Stevenson
Party: Republican
Web site: watersforhouse.com
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Communications and Media Studies, Eastern
Washington University, 2008.
Occupation: Washington House of Representatives, District 17, Position 1
Political experience: Washington House of Representatives, District 17,
Position 1, 2023-current; Port of Skamania commissioner; Economic
Development Director, Skamania County.
Major endorsements: Former 17th District Sen. Lynda Wilson; state Sen. Paul
Harris; former state Rep. Brandon Vick; state Reps. Peter Abbarno and Ed
Orcutt; the National Federation of Independent Business; Building Industry
Association of Clark County; Associated Builders and Contractors of Western
Washington; Associated General Contractors of Washington; Washington
Hospitality Association; Washington Food Industry Association; Washington
Forest Protection Association; Clark County Association of Realtors;
Marathon Petroleum; Georgia-Pacific

Waters, 50, highlighted his business and government experience and
bipartisan relationships as strengths, saying that a recent conversation
with a hospice physician assistant reshaped his thinking on healthcare
priorities. He cited investments in rural hospitals, school HVAC systems,
the Washougal Community Library and downtown Camas lighting as examples of
his efforts to serve the district.

“I believe I bring vast business and government experience, a pragmatic
approach, and the thinking of how policies affect rural vs. urban,” Waters
said. “I have the relationships and institutional knowledge to continue the
work needed in Olympia. I believe I have done well in holding the majority
accountable while still being a member who will always want a seat at the
table to try and push the needs of the district.”

Christly, 41, a former small-business owner and Clark County Charter Review
commissioner, is running on a platform focused on education, healthcare and
small businesses, which he connects to affordability.

In an email to The Columbian, Christly said he supports revisiting
Washington’s K-12 funding formula, strengthening special education funding,
expanding workforce training and improving access to primary, behavioral
and rural healthcare. He also advocated for reducing unnecessary business
regulations, streamlining permitting and ensuring tax policies do not
disproportionately burden small businesses.

Christly, a Vancouver resident, said he would represent the district’s
urban, suburban and rural communities by listening to residents and
tailoring solutions to their needs.

Although he is a first-time legislative candidate, he cites his military,
healthcare, business and local government experience as preparation for the
role. He said a conversation with a rural property owner reinforced his
interest in housing affordability, particularly the pressures short-term
rentals can place on long-term housing availability.

If elected, he said he would explore policies to encourage stable long-term
rentals, support workforce housing and help communities address local
housing needs.

“I am not running to repeat talking points. I am running to work on the
issues people talk about at their doors: schools, healthcare, housing,
small business, public safety, taxes, and affordability,” Christly said. “I
believe people want a representative who will listen, tell the truth, work
across differences, and stay focused on making life better. That is the
kind of representative I intend to be.”
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