The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Ridgefield businessman and non-profit leader Bob Dingethal announced his candidacy this week for Congress in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.

Jaime Herrera Buetler, a Republican, currently holds the seat. Clark County resident Michael Delevar is challenging her in the Republican primary.

“The people of southwest Washington deserve representation in Congress, leadership that works together and actively seeks solutions to our common problems,” said Dingethal. “Our Congress is dysfunctional. It’s time to put aside the partisan in-fighting that has caused the problems of struggling families to be ignored. The people need someone who will listen and work as hard as they do.”

Dingethal, who has announced as a Democrat, is executive director of the Gifford Pinchot Task Force, a nonprofit organization that protects and restores the national forest around Mount St. Helens and Mt. Adams. A former Outreach Director for Senator Maria Cantwell in southwest Washington, Dingethal was also an executive in the telecommunications industry for 20 years and has owned several small businesses in the region.

Dingethal said that if elected he would immediately re-open public town hall meetings throughout the district.

“People have a right to voice their opinions even if they are angry with the state of politics in America. I won’t always agree with everyone, but I pledge to always listen, try to find answers, and work together with all of the people of the 3rd District,” said Dingethal.

Dingethal said economic innovation will be a key issue in the campaign.

"I think my 35 years of experience in business, non-profit and public policy gives me a unique insight into solving problems that our current representation does not have,” he said.

Dingethal has been actively involved in community service, working with the Vancouver Police Activities League, the Chkalov Society, the Joy Team and Dream Big Community Center. He has also served as chair of the Vancouver-Clark County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and on the board of the Clark County Historical Society and Museum. He lives in Ridgefield with his wife Dona and his two grown sons, Max and Sam.