In Lewis County’s upcoming Aug. 1 primary election, three candidates are hoping to finish in the top two and move on to November's general election for Centralia City Council position No. 1, at-large.
The candidates are Steven Hubbard, Chris Brewer and Russell Barr.
The Chronicle spoke to all three candidates this week to discuss their qualifications, motivations for pursuing public office, what sets them apart from their opponents and what they hope to accomplish during a four-year term if elected.
Steven Hubbard
Hubbard said while he hasn’t served in public office before, he believes that makes him a better qualified candidate for the job.
“I don’t feel the city council has a voice right now,” Hubbard said. “I think it’s ruled by two people and dictated by two people, and that’s it. Everybody falls in line and does what they say.”
Hubbard said he was referring to Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston and Mayor Pro-Tem Cameron McGee.
Hubbard said he feels the current council alignment disenfranchises voters who are no longer being fairly represented by the councilors. Hubbard cited events earlier this year as an example, including a proposed ballot initiative to let voters decide the fate of the Veterans Memorial Pearl Street Pool.
Originally, the council planned to let voters decide the pool’s fate, but when the Centralia School District levy wasn’t approved by voters in February, councilors decided to permanently close the pool rather than have it compete for approval with the school district’s pursuit of a levy passage. The school levy failed again in the April election.
“In my experience, the people of the community find that our school levy money is misspent and they don’t want to spend on that anymore. So now we’re not going to get the option to vote on our own pool because you decide that we need schools more than that? That’s not your decision, that’s the citizens,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard ran for a council position in the 2021 election but lost. He believes a candidate was purposely chosen to run against him to prevent him from winning because he’s not close with some of the more powerful people in Lewis County. Hubbard claimed former councilor Leah Daarud was urged by a county commissioner to drop out of another race and challenge him.
“In this town, if you’re not part of the Economic Alliance (of Lewis County) or friends with anyone on it, Richard DeBolt, Chad Taylor, Todd Chaput, Sean Swope, if you’re not one of their friends, you’re not getting into office,” he added.
He vowed to be a voice of the people and only serve the interests of the residents. Hubbard works at I-5 Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat and is currently 44 years old.
Chris Brewer
If elected, this would also be Brewer’s first time in public office. He works for Lewis County in the IT department.
His qualifications include serving as the board president for the Lewis County Trails Association.
“When it comes to that experience, we’ve successfully advocated for funding for several projects. We’ve partnered with state parks, a bunch of different organizations, local legislators and such, to promote active lifestyles,” Brewer said.
He sought appointment for state Rep. Peter Abbarno’s former council position, and though he wasn’t chosen, it sparked a desire to serve in public office.
“I see city council as the highest form of volunteerism in the community, and I like to volunteer,” Brewer said. “I’ve helped out with Hub City Bike Shop, Hub City Mission and a number of other small things in the city, but it would be really cool to get involved at the highest level possible.”
Before working for the county, Brewer was a reporter for The Chronicle. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran, working in broadcasting for the Armed Forces Network during his time in service.
Brewer believes he has a proven record of building good relationships with people who can get things done.
“I see myself as a go-getter, a man of action. If I see something that needs action, I formulate a plan and work with stakeholders and those who have a vested interest in our town to get stuff done,” Brewer said.
If elected, he wants to focus on bettering community livability and making Centralia more welcoming for residents and visitors.
Brewer is worried about Centralia’s economic future and believes fiscal responsibility is needed with a recession looming, according to some economists.
“With inflation — some people call it inflation, some call it corporate greed — many people don’t have much buying power right now. People who were OK financially five years ago are not now. How do we still maintain a good level of service to the citizens when citizens are saying right now, ‘No new taxes and I don’t have money to spend on anything.’ We have a lot to figure out and the next four years are going to be critical,” Brewer said. “I want to be a part of that.”
He said he hopes to serve with compassion and a sense of collaboration, as he believes both are essential in local governments. Brewer is currently 39 years old.
Russell Barr
Barr ran for office in the early 2000s but lost. Despite never holding public office, he believes his problem-solving and communication skills are what set him apart. Barr currently works as an engineer for Tyler Technologies and makes software that local governments and municipalities use. Because of his profession, he’s familiar with many issues local governments face as well as how technology can help solve them. Barr also spent some time as a part of the Centralia School District, where his children attended school.
“It’s not like I know how to be a city councilperson, but I know I can learn and am good at figuring out new challenges,” Barr said.
Barr was motivated by friends and family to run. He added his current job provides him the time to be able to serve on the council as well. He believes his time and investments in Centralia set him apart from opponents.
“I don’t see the job as glamorous. Nobody gets rich on Centralia City Council,” he said. “But I want to bring what I call the ‘sensible dad approach.’ That’s what I’ve got that neither of my opponents have, I believe.”
Homelessness and crime are the top issues for Barr.
“People have brought those issues up to me and they’re also visible to me,” Barr said. “Things look different in town than they did 10 or 20 years ago, and there’s things the city could do to address those issues.”
While he acknowledged the need for many of the private sector entities providing services to those experiencing homelessness in Centralia, he said he feels there needs to be better communication with the city to focus on safety and preventing crime.
“There’s stuff around the edges that needs attention,” Barr added.
Affordable housing is another major issue he would try to tackle if elected, though he’s not sure if the council can really do much to lower housing and rental prices.
Barr has been in the community since 1989, and is currently 60 years old.
