ELECTION 2024: Washougal Mayor Stuebe Makes Case for LD 17, Pos. 2 Seat

Washougal, WA — Lacamas Magazine interviewed Washougal Mayor, Dave Stuebe, who is running for Legislative District 17, Position 2, as a Republican. He answered several questions as he prepares for the General 2024 election.

What are the top reasons you’re running for the State House?

I’ve been the mayor of Washougal, and it’s been epic. I’ve loved doing this job and I love the people who do great things for our city. This city is great because of its people. The people here care about their city, and they have a sense of belonging and pride. I’ve been going to Olympia and Washington, D.C., bringing tax dollars home to our city.  

I am excited about what we are accomplishing in this city and I feel I can do so much more. I’m on the CRESA board, Salvation Army board, Safety Board.  I’m just getting more and more involved with what’s going on and how to help Washougal, and our state.

Being in the State House, I can have a bigger role and help out more. Once you’re in service, you’re always in service. I just want to stay involved. Some of the things that concern me are our safety, affordable housing, infrastructure, and having our families thrive.

I really care about our police and our first responders. I want to keep people safe. I want our first responders to know that we back them. They have taken an oath of office to protect and serve, and we are responsible to make sure they’re well trained, well equipped and able to perform their duties. We need to get out of the way and let them do their jobs. 

Affordable housing. Our younger generation has good jobs, but housing is so unaffordable. The average house sold in Washougal costs $800,000. The average home in Camas is $925,000. There has to be something done with that. Not sure I have all the answers, but I will work with subject matter experts to find alternatives that should bring down housing costs, such as reducing red tape in the building process. We can look at alternative forms of housing. I’ll look for different housing opportunities that make sense to our growing population.

Inflation. It affects so many aspects of our lives, and for the younger generation it’s eating up too much of their paycheck toward housing, and that affects the overall quality of living.  I want people to enjoy their lives, and have the freedom to enjoy what America has to offer.

We have to be careful as a country that we don’t get soft, we don’t get lazy. We need to respect the rights and privileges we have. 

What do you want to accomplish at the State House?

I want to focus on the missions and problems we have, bring people together, and get the results to solve our problems. There has been too much fracture in our system.

Let’s bring the subject matter experts together and listen to options for better solutions. That’s what I can do is understand and do a lot of listening and work together with fellow legislators to write some good bills, solve problems, and help our communities. I’m striving to bring people together. 

I’m dedicated to making big things happen.

Why should voters elect you?

Because I’ve served in the Marines for 30 years, retiring as a Colonel. I’ve worked with many organizations, and it has given me a profound education. I’ve learned how to work with many different organizations and governments and service members bringing focus and accomplishment to the mission.

I can immediately gain trust and respect and work toward real results.

What are the things you’re most proud of being a member of the Washougal City Council and Mayor?

I am most proud about bringing together the leadership of this community, and removing hurdles so they can continue to be good stewards of the city. 

I’m really proud of people who bring good energy to serving this community. And, I’m really proud of bringing home tax dollars from Olympia and DC. We come to them with good projects and they understand what our needs are, and we’ve been awarded great things. 

We bring home tax dollars on waste water, downtown renovation, the railway underpass, trails, common use pathway on 27th  Street. We have all these projects happening and I want to continue making this a very friendly, usable city with bike paths, pedestrian paths, and a feeling of general safety and wellness.

I can see and hear a problem and I can delegate, bring people in, clear away the obstacles and find a solution to the problem.

What should voters know about you?

I’m a leader. I work with people to get things done.

Will you stay on as Mayor?

Of course. I’ve made a commitment to this city to represent them as the Mayor, and I’m also able to run for State Representative, and I look forward to doing more for this District. I am able to do both. 

To learn more about Stuebe’s campaign, visit: https://electstuebe.com