Clark County Republican Party unanimously opposes Philip Johnson’s candidacy for Battle Ground City Council

The Clark County Republican Party formally opposed Philip Johnson’s Battle Ground City Council run, citing actions they say undermine party unity and conservative principles.
The Clark County Republican Party formally opposed Philip Johnson’s Battle Ground City Council run, citing actions they say undermine party unity and conservative principles.

The CCRP encourages Battle Ground residents to support candidates who will lead with integrity, civility, and a genuine commitment to the conservative values our community shares

The Clark County Republican Party (CCRP) on Tuesday (July 28) announced its decision without opposition to the candidacy of Philip Johnson for Battle Ground City Council. 

Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson

Following a formal vote of the CCRP Central Committee and after gathering feedback from precinct committee officers and grassroots members, the Party has concluded that Johnson’s actions are incompatible with the values and unity expected of Republican-affiliated leaders in Clark County. 

“Philip Johnson has repeatedly undermined fellow Republicans by taking out negative ads against candidates from within his own party,” said Matthew Bumala, Chair of the Clark County Republican Party. “This kind of behavior is divisive, counterproductive, and damaging to the broader conservative movement in our region. It’s our responsibility to stand up for candidates who build up our party — not tear it down.” 

CCRP Chairman Matt Bumala
Matthew Bumala, Clark County Republican Party chairman

While City Council races are officially nonpartisan, Mr. Johnson has identified himself with Republican circles in the past. However, his pattern of public conduct—particularly his use of campaign resources to attack other Republicans — demonstrates a disregard for party unity and conservative principles. 

The Clark County Republican Party believes that voters in Battle Ground deserve leaders who are collaborative, respectful, and committed to serving their constituents — not individuals who pursue personal political agendas at the expense of their own team. 

The CCRP encourages Battle Ground residents to support candidates who will lead with integrity, civility, and a genuine commitment to the conservative values our community shares. 

Clark County Today reached Johnson for comment Tuesday.

“The commissaires have met and decided that I’m not one of them,’’ Johnson said. “I guess that’s the way it is. If I’m not Republican enough for them, the way they’re going, I think that’s probably a pretty decent thing.’’ 


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2 Comments

  1. Mark Engleman

    Solid move CCRP
    This politician, Philip Johnson, is a conniving establishment status seeker.
    Thank God the local Republican Party has a formal and mature process to highlight such awful candidates – that come slithering around attempting to claim the Republican brand.

    Reply
  2. Margaret

    Mr. Johnson served on the CTRAN board and in that role, voted FOR light rail on the I-5 bridge in 2022. He later claimed he did NOT support light rail. The public record shows the vote he took as an elected official. Light rail is NOT justified on the I-5 bridge. Bus ridership across the bridge is lower than it was 20 years ago, about 750 persons going South to Portland and North to Vancouver on a weekday in 2023 and 2024.
    Claims that ridership will drastically increase to over 10,000 daily in each direction , more than 20,000 riders per day by 2030 are completely unrealistic. Supporting the $BILLIONS to build elevated light rail tracks when buses and vans can continue to do the job for far less was an utterly wasteful decision. City Councilors must be wise stewards of public funds, not big spenders for grandiose plans that don’t benefit the city. see https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-extremely-low-bus-ridership-does-not-justify-switch-to-expensive-trimet-light-rail/

    Reply

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