While the majority of candidates running for office in Lewis County this year automatically advanced to November’s general election — as there were no more than two candidates running in those races — voters in both Napavine and Winlock do have some decisions to make in the upcoming primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
In each of the races, the top two finishers in the primary will advance to November’s general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Below is information about the candidates sourced from their candidate statements on the Lewis County Elections website.
If a candidate statement was not completed, the candidate was contacted in order to get basic campaign information, including previous elected experience, motivation to run and goals to accomplish if elected, along with personal information to introduce themselves to voters.
In Winlock, three candidates are still running for mayor, including incumbent Mayor Brandon Svenson, Winlock City Councilor Jodie Curtis and Winlock resident Victoria Marincin.
A fourth candidate, America Lunsford, was also running for Winlock mayor, but is no longer campaigning. Her name will still appear on the ballot.
“Unfortunantly due to an urgent personal matter, America has had to suspend her campaign as of this week, and will no longer be actively running, regardless of the primary outcome,” a representative from the America for Mayor Team told The Chronicle in an email.
"After some further thought, she will endorse Victoria Marincin. If America ends up winning the primary she would support a write-in campaign for Victoria in the general as well," an America for Mayor team member said in an email.
Winlock mayor race
Svenson
Having already served as Winlock’s mayor since 2020, Svenson is “deeply committed to Winlock’s success,” according to his candidate statement. No other information on professional experience or education was submitted.
“As your mayor for five-plus years, I am deeply committed to Winlock’s success. My leadership has driven transformative progress while keeping our community's values first. We’ve secured $3.4-plus million in grants, boosted city valuation from $95 million (2020) to $506 million (2025 — a 433% increase), city investments grew from 1 million in 2020 to 2.5 million in 2025. By careful planning and execution, we created the lowest property taxed municipality in Lewis County by widening the tax base while adding $261,000-plus in impact fees and $600,000-plus in annual revenue,” Svenson said. “A $400,000 house in the former UGA (urban growth area) is taxed 40% less at the city levy rate vs. the county road rate it replaced.”
He added he’s also overseen the expansion of Winlock’s Public Works Department, upgraded equipment, repaved or chip-sealed miles of city streets and made improvements to water and wastewater systems.
“We’ve also increased our Police Department from two to five officers, improving both infrastructure and safety. Seeking reelection, I’ll continue improving infrastructure — roads, sidewalks, parking, water rights, conservation and emergency preparedness — while fostering business growth and maintaining low tax rates. Relying on my faith, experience, network and strong relationships with neighboring cities, I’m dedicated to moving Winlock forward as a business friendly, thriving community.”
For more information, view Svenson’s candidate statement online at https://tinyurl.com/6f9fnap5.
Marincin
The only candidate not already serving on the Winlock City Council, Marincin is a self-described longtime Winlock resident who decided to run after her property was annexed and, “I saw how city decisions frequently ignored resident input,” according to her candidate statement.
While she listed no prior elected or educational experience, Marincin worked for over a decade as a financial manager for a construction company.
“As a longtime Winlock resident, I value our rural character and neighborly way of life. When my property was annexed, I saw firsthand how important it is for city leaders to engage with residents, listen to concerns, and make decisions with careful planning—not haste. With 16 years as a financial manager for a $15 million construction company, I’ve balanced budgets, navigated economic challenges, and ensured fiscal accountability while working with both General Contractors and Municipalities. If elected mayor, I’ll bring that same disciplined approach to city government—making sure every tax dollar is spent wisely,” Marincin said in her candidate statement. “My experience managing large budgets taught me fiscal responsibility creates stronger communities. I'm running for mayor to bring transparency, open dialogue, and practical leadership to City Hall. Winlock needs government that serves all residents — both long-established families and newcomers. I'll listen attentively, manage resources wisely and preserve what makes our town unique. With common-sense leadership, we can protect Winlock's special qualities together. I'd be honored to earn your vote.”
For more information, view Marincin’s candidate statement online at https://tinyurl.com/5n95unya.
Curtis
First appointed to the Winlock City Council but defeated in a subsequent election, Curtis ran again in 2023 and, “won the seat that I hold now,” according to her candidate statement.
A Winlock High School alumni, Curtis earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education in 2011, and then a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2013, both from the University of Phoenix.
Aside from her service on the council already, she is a member of the Winlock Lions Club, the Egg Day Committee, the Olequa-Winlock Senior Center Advisory Group and more.
“... I am incredibly involved in my community. Because of this I see things that need done and I get to be around many different people with many different opinions about how this city should be ran. As mayor, I will have an open-door policy where EVERY opinion is not just heard but welcomed,” Curtis said in her candidate statement. “You may not get what you want, and I may not either, but together maybe we can come up with a compromise! One person cannot make a city great, but working together, we can all help to lift Winlock to where we want it to be! I grew up in this community and I care about what happens here. For me it's not political, It's personal! I appreciate your vote as your vote is your voice. Make sure it's heard by voting for someone who wants to work with the constituents, and that's me!”
For more information, view Curtis’ candidate statement online at https://tinyurl.com/3jm7r2ed.
Winlock School Board
Also in Winlock, three candidates are running for the Winlock School District Director District 2 position. They are Taylor Myers, Stevie Bennett and Jarryd Forler, and none are incumbents.
Myers
While stating he had no previous elected experience, Myers said, “I have six years of governmental accounting experience,” according to his candidate statement.
Additionally, Myers is a graduate cum laude in his class at Eastern Oregon University with a degree in accounting.
He also works at Carly’s Closet, a nonprofit providing clothes and school supplies to children who need them, and volunteers for various school district events.
“... I am running for school board to be a strong advocate for the best interests of our students, teachers, and families. I believe that a quality education is the foundation of a bright and successful future. As school board members, we play a crucial role in shaping that foundation by setting policies and making choices that directly impact student outcomes,” Myers said in his candidate statement. “With over a decade of experience as an accountant, I bring a deep understanding of financial management and budgeting. I am confident that my skills can help ensure fiscal responsibility and provide valuable insight into how we allocate our resources. I am committed to fostering an educational environment where both students and teachers can thrive. That means advocating for transparent budgeting, responsible resource allocation, and high academic standards. If elected, I will work tirelessly to listen to our community, prioritize transparency in every decision, and collaborate with parents, educators, and stakeholders to strengthen our schools and support student success.”
For more information, view Myers’ candidate statement online at https://tinyurl.com/3j4t3u6f.
Bennett
Despite stating having no prior elected experience, Bennett said she worked 15 years, “in customer service with 13 of them being in management,” according to her candidate statement.
For her education experience, Bennett is an Adna High School alumni who also just graduated this year from Centralia College with an associate’s degree.
Additionally, Bennett was vice president of the Mossyrock Youth Sports Association and involved in other Mossyrock youth sports programs including coaching.
“My family and I moved to Winlock this past August and have quickly made his place our forever home. My mother graduated from Winlock, and I am excited to see my children graduate here as well. Three years ago, I took a job working as a center aide at Lewis County Head Start after being a stay-at-home mom for seven years. Within my first six months, I realized I had a passion for teaching children and started working towards a dual degree in early childhood education and special education,” Bennett said in her candidate statement. “… I have always been an advocate for children, helping give them a voice when needed and I'm very passionate about helping my community. I would love the opportunity to help bring our schools and community together again, advocating for students, teachers, and families while ensuring everyone's voices and concerns are heard. I believe I'm a great candidate who will work together with the school and community to bridge the gap between the elementary, middle/high school, and community.
For more information, view Bennett’s candidate statement online at https://tinyurl.com/u637rcuu.
Forler
Though he has no prior elected experience, Forler has been working as a lieutenant, fire fighter and EMT for the fire districts in both Toledo and Winlock for several years now.
A Toledo High School alumni, Forler studied how to be an EMT at Centralia College.
Counting his time as a volunteer fire fighter in Winlock, he’s been working for Lewis County Fire District 12 for over a decade now. Forler has also spent the past four years as the Winlock Youth Soccer coach.
“I am running for the Winlock School District Board Director 2 because I feel that I can bring a fresh perspective to the challenges faced by the district and help it accomplish its goals. Being a parent of four children in the district and a committed community member, I feel that my attitude and experience best reflect the attitudes of the people that I hope to represent. I have been a volunteer firefighter for the Winlock Fire Department since 2009 and a career lieutenant firefighter/EMT currently,” Forler said in his candidate statement. “This experience has helped me understand the complexities of dealing with taxpayer dollars and being fiscally responsible and transparent. As a taxpayer in the district myself, I feel that I would like to know exactly how my hard-earned dollars are spent. My goal for my term as Director would be (to be) the voice of the people I represent and bring clarity and honesty to the citizens of the district.”
For more information, view Forler’s candidate statement online at https://tinyurl.com/2wpe3sem.
Lewis County Fire District 5 commissioner race
And while three candidates — Sam Patrick, Rick LeBoeuf and Tom Crowson — were also running for Lewis County Fire District 5 Commissioner Position 2 in Napavine, Crowson’s death notice was just received by The Chronicle this week, with Crowson passing away in his home on July 27.
Despite Crowson’s death, his name will remain on Tuesday’s primary ballot. If he is one of the top two vote getters, he will advance to the general election, according to Lewis County Chief Deputy Auditor Tom Stanton.
At that point, Crowson’s name could only be removed from the general election ballot under the order of a Lewis County Superior Court Judge.
As for their candidate statements, Crowson was the only one who appeared to have submitted one.
The Chronicle did reach out to both Patrick and LeBoeuf to learn more about their campaigns, and while Patrick did respond, LeBoeuf did not to multiple attempts to reach his email, rickleboeuf@outlook.com — which was his only listed point of contact as no candidate phone number was given.
As for Patrick, he is the incumbent, currently already serving as the chairman of Fire District 5’s board of commissioners. Prior to that, he also was elected and served on the Winlock City Council and a Thurston County Fire District 1 commissioner in Rochester.
Patrick is also a certified EMT and also worked in Lewis County’s 911 dispatch center, and also previously served in both the military and as a police officer.
“Over the past five and a half years, as your current elected fire commissioner for Lewis County Fire District 5, I have collaborated with the other board members to make challenging and, at times, unpopular decisions, always prioritizing the well-being of the individuals served by the department and the safety of our staff and community. We have significant projects underway, and I am committed to continuing to guide them for the community’s benefit. Lewis County Fire District 5 has two additional commissioners elected by the community with whom I work effectively and harmoniously as a team,” Patrick said in a statement emailed to The Chronicle. “In the context of fire emergencies and the prompt response of the emergency medical services, the most critical decisions made by the elected board of fire commissioners are those that prioritize the well-being of the public they serve. These decisions should be guided by the principle of providing the necessary resources within the available budgetary constraints to ensure effective and timely life safety response. I look forward to continuing my service to this community with your vote.”
To learn more about Patrick’s campaign, email him at officerpatrick720@gmail.com.
