New Leaders Stepping Up in Washington’s 7th
Two open seats to watch in Washington's largest district
Washington’s 7th Legislative District is the largest district geographically, covering twenty percent of the area of the state. Since legislative districts each roughly represent the same number of people, that tells you that our people are very widely spread out and living a mostly rural life.
As a reminder, Legislative districts are the political units that determine how you elect your state senator and two representatives who serve you in Olympia. Our incumbents are Senator Shelly Short, Representative Jacquelin Maycumber and Representative Joel Kretz.
Representative Maycumber is now running for Congress to replace U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers and Representative Kretz has announced his retirement. That provides a golden opportunity for new leaders to step up and run for these two open and important seats.
Covering the Distance
This article will take a look at four top Republican candidates running to represent Washington’s 7th District in Olympia. Given the massive distances involved, candidates for the 7th LD must be strong, energetic and enthusiastic to get to all the events where they can connect with voters. Campaigning out here in the 7th is a marathon, not a sprint. Voters will have their first chance to vote for these candidates on Aug. 6, with the top two vote winners in August moving on to the November general Election.
Candidates for Pos. 1 (replacing Maycumber)
Andrew Engell, Colville
Andrew Engell is a familiar face all around eastern Washington, as he has worked out of the Colville office for U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers for the past seven years, and attends many public meetings on her behalf. He also helps citizens solve all types of problems related to the federal government. He’s deeply familiar with the issues facing the district and has strong relationships and connections throughout the area.
Andrew Engell has lived in the Colville area since he was nine years old. He has been married to his wife Celeste for more than 15 years and is father to four children. His diverse work experience includes many years working for his dad in construction, welding, farming, and managing affordable rental units. For more information, visit Andrew’s website at electandrew.com.
Teagan Levine, Tonasket
Teagan Levine lives in Tonasket and is a mother to three and a foster mom to many. She is the administrative assistant to the Okanogan County prosecutor, the chairwoman of the Okanogan County Republican party and also serves on the Tonasket City Council for the last seven years. She’s also sat on the board of Okanogan County Long Term Recovery board for the last four years, an organization that has rebuilt over 40 homes from the wildfires that have devastated Okanogan County since 2015.
Levine is also active with Let's Go Washington, an organization that helps get the people’s initiatives signed and over the finish line. She has many friends and political connections all over the state due to her political activism. You can follow visit her website at teaganforwashington.com.
Candidates for Pos. 2 (replacing Kretz)
Hunter Abell, Inchelium
Hunter Abell was born in Colville, grew up in Inchelium and worked his way through university by logging on the family ranch in Inchelium. He served over 20 years in the Navy, both enlisted and as an officer. He is currently a commander in the United States Navy Reserve, and deployed twice in service of our country, including to Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. He is the proud father of two beautiful daughters.
Abell is an attorney dedicated to defending our freedoms under the U.S. and Washington constitutions. He has also served as Ferry County District Court judge, which gave him a better understanding of law and order challenges in rural jurisdictions. He believes we need more constitutional lawyers helping to write the laws in Olympia, and he can apply his unique skills on behalf of the citizens of the 7th District. You can follow his campaign at his website at voteabell.com.
Pat Bell, Nine Mile Falls
Pat Bell grew up on his family’s farms in Springdale and Camano Island. Bell has family roots in northern Okanogan county, but now lives in the southern part of the 7th LD. Bell currently works for Spokane County, and in his free time helps market his family ranch’s beef. He and his wife Resa, a social worker, have been married for 15 years, and have two children in local public schools.
Bell served as a senior staff member for Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers for eight years, from 2010-2012 in Washington, D.C. and from 2018-2023, managing her re-election campaign and later her three district offices in eastern Washington. He knows the district and the people well from his time working for the congresswoman. You can find more information at Bell’s website at patbell.com.
Great Candidates, Difficult Choices
There are a few other candidates in these races, but these four candidates are the most qualified and are also doing a good job fundraising. In my opinion they are the most likely candidates to make it through the primary and into the general election.
Any of these four candidates will be great, hard-working representatives, and the voters face a tough choice in both races. Take the time to get to know them this summer. They’d love to talk to you personally or meet with your small group, so don’t hesitate to reach out to any of them for more information. Do your research now, and vote with confidence in August.
Nancy Churchill is a writer and educator in rural eastern Washington State, and the state committeewoman for the Ferry County Republican Party. She may be reached at DangerousRhetoric@pm.me. The opinions expressed in Dangerous Rhetoric are her own. Dangerous Rhetoric is available on thinkspot, Rumble and Substack.
Sources:
1) PDC 7th District Legislative House Candidates, https://bit.ly/3WQrdJK
2) LD07 Rep | PRIMARY 2024 Candidate List, https://bit.ly/3URJB2b
3) Andrew Engell. Website: https://electandrew.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/electandrewengell/
4) Teagan Levine. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557347453346. Website: https://teaganforwashington.com/
5) Hunter Abell. Website: https://voteabell.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6155782835861
6) Pat Bell. Website: https://patbell.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patbelldotcom.