Cowlitz County, WA elected officials: county commissioners, sheriff, school board and cities

Who holds every elected county, school board, city and special-district office in Cowlitz County: 63 seats on 19 elected bodies. 8 seats were on the November 3, 2026 ballot; they update once the county certifies its results.

Board of County Commissioners

Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners

Each member is elected by the voters of their district.

OfficeWho holds it nowNext term
County Commissioner, District 1Steve Rader Republican source
County Commissioner, District 2Steve Ferrell Republican source
County Commissioner, District 3Rick Dahl Republican sourceOn the Nov 3, 2026 ballot: count not certified yet

County officers

OfficeWho holds it nowNext term
County AssessorEmily Wilcox Independent sourceOn the Nov 3, 2026 ballot: count not certified yet
County AuditorCarolyn Fundingsland Independent sourceOn the Nov 3, 2026 ballot: count not certified yet
County ClerkStaci L. Myklebust Independent sourceOn the Nov 3, 2026 ballot: count not certified yet
County CoronerDana M. Tucker Republican sourceOn the Nov 3, 2026 ballot: count not certified yet
Prosecuting AttorneyRyan P. Jurvakainen Independent sourceOn the Nov 3, 2026 ballot: count not certified yet
SheriffBrad Thurman Republican sourceOn the Nov 3, 2026 ballot: count not certified yet
County TreasurerDebra Gardner Independent sourceOn the Nov 3, 2026 ballot: count not certified yet

School Board

Castle Rock School District No. 401 Board of Directors

OfficeWho holds it now
Director District 1Vilas Sundberg source
Director District 2Ray Teter source
Director District 3Steve Ogden source
Director District 4 (at large)Levi Godinho source
Director District 5 (at large)Angelica Velazquez source

Kalama School District No. 402 Board of Directors

OfficeWho holds it now
Director District 1Stephanie Harbell source
Director District 2Jeremy Kushner source
Director District 3Wesley R. Eader source
Director District 4Katie A. Perkins source
Director District 5Dustin L. Moon source

Kelso School District No. 458 Board of Directors

OfficeWho holds it now
Director Position 1Leah Moore source
Director Position 2Francisco J. Uribe Alvarez source
Director Position 3Jeane Conrad source
Director Position 4Mike Haas source
Director Position 5Rich Fletcher source

Longview School District No. 122 Board of Directors

OfficeWho holds it now
Director Position 1Deborah Pineda source
Director Position 2Susan Donahue source
Director Position 3Don Wiitala source
Director Position 4Barb Westrick source
Director Position 5Jennifer E. Leach source

Toutle Lake School District No. 130 Board of Directors

OfficeWho holds it now
Director District 1Sherry M. Schwinn source
Director District 2Janell Wheatley source
Director District 3Lisa Mathes source
Director District 4Susan Dorcheus source
Director District 5Shebanyah VanHoof source

Woodland School District No. 404 Board of Directors

OfficeWho holds it now
Director District 1Sarah Stuart source
Director District 2Paul McLendon source
Director District 3Marie Wodaege source
Director District 4Trish Huddleston source
Director District 5Tom Guthrie source
Who lives in each of the 6 school districts (Census figures)
School districtPeopleMedian household incomeBelow the poverty lineWithout health insuranceRenters paying 30%+ of income on rent
Castle Rock School District10,165$79,4288.1%5.7%27.2%
Kalama School District7,920$117,3619.7%2.6%30.9%
Kelso School District30,961$75,8188.7%6.3%49.3%
Longview Public Schools46,818$65,02615.1%6.7%55.2%
Toutle Lake School District4,369$94,84911.8%6%75.6%
Woodland School District16,975$92,81513%13.3%33.7%

Census Bureau, 2020–2024 5-year estimates for each school district's area, matched to its board by name. They're estimates with a , larger for small districts.

Cities and towns

Special districts

Boards elected by the voters who live in each district.

Port of Kalama Commission · 3 seats
OfficeWho holds it now
Commissioner District 1Randy Sweet source
Commissioner District 2Patrick Harbison source
Commissioner District 3Troy L. Stariha source
Port of Longview Commission · 3 seats
OfficeWho holds it now
Commissioner District 1Jeff Wilson source
Commissioner District 2Evan Jones source
Commissioner District 3Allan Erickson source
Port of Woodland Commission · 3 seats
OfficeWho holds it now
Commissioner District 1Rob Rich source
Commissioner District 2Bob Wile source
Commissioner District 3Patrick Canfield source

How many local governments Cowlitz County has

The Census Bureau's 2022 Census of Governments counts 45 local governments in Cowlitz County. This page lists the ones whose offices are elected.

Kind of governmentCensus count (2022)Listed on this page
County government11
Cities, towns, villages and townships52
School districts (school boards)66
Special districts (elected boards)333

Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Government Units Listing (census.gov).

About these counts

The Census Bureau counts every independent local government once, in the county it assigns it to: the one it mostly serves or where it's based. A city or district that crosses county lines is counted in only one county, so it may be listed on this page but counted elsewhere, or the other way around. Many special districts, such as housing authorities, have appointed boards, and some places have more than one elected body, so the two columns measure different things. School systems run by a county, city or the state aren't counted as separate governments, though their boards may be listed here; in some states the Bureau counts community or state colleges as school districts. The counts are as of 2022.

Who lives in Cowlitz County

112,360people
41.5median ageU.S.: 38.9
$76,531 household incomeU.S.: $80,734
12.2%below the U.S.: 12.5%
17.6%of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degreeU.S.: 35.7%
$397,500median home valueU.S.: $332,700
5.9%unemployed (of the labor force)U.S.: 5.2%
4.3%born outside the U.S.U.S.: 14.1%
10.3%of adults are veteransU.S.: 6.2%
6.2%U.S.: 8.4%
49.3%of renting households pay of income on rentU.S.: 51.1%
33.9%of homeowners with a mortgage pay of income on housing costsU.S.: 28.1%

Race and Hispanic origin: Hispanic or Latino 10.5% · White 79.6% · Black 0.6% · Asian 1.2% · Other or more than one race 8.1% (Hispanic or Latino people can be of any race; the other groups are non-Hispanic.)

Census Bureau, 2020–2024 5-year estimates (data.census.gov).

About these figures

The American Community Survey asks about 3.5 million households a year about who lives there, their work, income, schooling and housing. The 5-year estimates pool 2020–2024 answers so that every county and district has enough of them. They're estimates with a (larger for smaller places), and they're different from the once-a-decade census count. "Median" means half are above and half below. Household income is before taxes and includes everyone in the household. The unemployment share here is the survey's five-year average, so it differs from the monthly rate in the BLS jobs report. Race and Hispanic origin are as people describe themselves.

Health insurance means any coverage, private or public (such as Medicaid or Medicare), when people answered; the share is of everyone except people on active military duty and people living in institutions such as prisons and nursing homes. The housing shares are of renting households, and of homeowners with a mortgage, for whom the Census Bureau can compute them (households with no income, or renters who pay no cash rent, are left out). Rent here is gross rent, rent plus utilities; owner costs include the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities and fees.

Jobs in Cowlitz County

4.0%September 2026, preliminary. A year earlier: 4.6%. Washington: 4.3%.
1,878people unemployedSeptember 2026, preliminary.
44,854people employedSeptember 2026, preliminary. Counted where they live, not where they work.
46,732in the September 2026, preliminary.
Unemployment rate, yearly average, Cowlitz County 0.0%2.4%4.8%7.2%9.6% 20162018202020222024

Yearly average unemployment rate, 2016–2025.

Every month, last two years
MonthRateUnemployedEmployedLabor force
September 2026 (preliminary)4.0%1,87844,85446,732
August 20265.2%2,47344,74647,219
July 20264.3%2,00144,48446,485
June 20265.0%2,34644,59146,937
May 20265.4%2,60345,15947,762
April 20265.7%2,70344,43047,133
March 20265.9%2,76644,48247,248
February 20266.0%2,83544,26847,103
January 20266.0%2,81644,32547,141
December 20256.2%2,96845,21648,184
November 20255.7%2,76345,45448,217
October 2025not collected (2025 federal shutdown)
September 20254.6%2,19645,16547,361
August 20255.4%2,54344,49647,039
July 20255.1%2,40744,39446,801
June 20254.3%2,00044,70446,704
May 20255.0%2,33544,40746,742
April 20254.9%2,30344,26646,569
March 20255.4%2,53844,31146,849
February 20256.2%2,93043,99046,920
January 20255.5%2,59244,17246,764
December 20245.2%2,43944,50346,942
November 20245.1%2,37744,47646,853
October 20244.6%2,16644,70346,869
Yearly averages
YearRateUnemployedEmployedLabor force
2025 (11 months)5.3%2,50744,59847,105
20245.1%2,41044,72447,134
20234.8%2,28145,27547,556
20224.8%2,31945,53147,850
20216.0%2,85745,13347,990
20209.1%4,42244,33548,757
20196.2%2,99145,40348,394
20186.1%2,81643,40346,219
20176.1%2,77942,85145,630
20167.1%3,22741,98545,212

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, : BLS publishes county figures only that way, so they rise and fall with the seasons; compare a month with the same month a year earlier rather than with the month before. Washington's figure above is on the same basis; seasonally adjusted, as in BLS's monthly state release, it was 4.8% in September 2026. The latest month is preliminary and is revised the next month, and BLS revises earlier years each spring. People are counted where they live. October 2025 wasn't collected during the 2025 federal government shutdown, so 2025's yearly average covers 11 months.

Crime reported in Cowlitz County

166.4 per 100,0002024. Washington: 330.1.
1,630.3 per 100,0002024. Washington: 2,494.4.
7murders2024, 181 violent crimes in all.

2024 is the latest year with complete reporting here: at least one of the county's police agencies didn't send the FBI a full year of figures since, so later totals would be undercounts.

Earlier years
YearViolentRatePropertyRate
2024181166.41,7731,630.3
2023245231.32,1051,987.2
2022263248.02,9322,764.9
2021243231.62,3412,231.4
2020207197.82,0871,994.2
2019203196.91,8621,806.3
2018254249.42,3382,295.3
2017260260.02,4202,419.6
2016261265.63,2133,269.5
By police agency (5)
AgencyYearViolentPropertyPeople served
Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office20255123351,343
Longview Police Department20251141,05638,401
Kelso Police Department20243124412,620
Kalama Police Department20253293,172
Castle Rock Police Department20234262,437

Crimes to the county's city and county police agencies (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, Return A), per 100,000 people they serve. Years with incomplete reporting are left out. Crime in Washington · the U.S.

Police staffing

1.38 per 1,000 residents2025, 5 agencies serving 108,098 people.
149sworn officers2025, full-time, as of October 31.
55civilian staff2025, full-time.
Agencies counted (5), 2025
AgencyOfficersCiviliansPeople served
Longview Police Department642338,401
Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office472551,343
Kelso Police Department27512,738
Kalama Police Department613,172
Castle Rock Police Department512,444
Earlier years
YearOfficersPer 1,000CiviliansAgencies
20251491.38555
20241461.34555
20231391.31445
20221431.35435
20211341.28445
20201351.29425
20191371.33425
20181371.34285
20171361.36245
20161371.39235

Full-time employees of the county's city police departments and sheriff's office, as each reported them to the FBI (Uniform Crime Reporting, Law Enforcement Employees), per 1,000 people in the areas those agencies serve (the FBI's population figures). A year is shown only when every one of these agencies sent a count; a count under half or over double the agency's own counts in nearby years is treated as not sent. Towns policed under contract by another agency are counted through that agency. State police, campus and other agencies aren't included. Sheriffs' offices often also run the county jail and courthouse security, so their staff counts include those jobs.

Quick answers

Who is the Cowlitz County County Assessor?
Emily Wilcox (Independent) is the County Assessor of Cowlitz County, Washington. The seat was on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the count isn't certified yet.
Who is the Cowlitz County County Auditor?
Carolyn Fundingsland (Independent) is the County Auditor of Cowlitz County, Washington. The seat was on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the count isn't certified yet.
Who is the Cowlitz County County Clerk?
Staci L. Myklebust (Independent) is the County Clerk of Cowlitz County, Washington. The seat was on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the count isn't certified yet.
Who is the Cowlitz County County Coroner?
Dana M. Tucker (Republican) is the County Coroner of Cowlitz County, Washington. The seat was on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the count isn't certified yet.
Who is the Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney?
Ryan P. Jurvakainen (Independent) is the Prosecuting Attorney of Cowlitz County, Washington. The seat was on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the count isn't certified yet.
Who is the Cowlitz County Sheriff?
Brad Thurman (Republican) is the Sheriff of Cowlitz County, Washington. The seat was on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the count isn't certified yet.
Who is the Cowlitz County County Treasurer?
Debra Gardner (Independent) is the County Treasurer of Cowlitz County, Washington. The seat was on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the count isn't certified yet.
Who are the Cowlitz County commissioners?
Steve Rader (District 1); Steve Ferrell (District 2); Rick Dahl (District 3).
Who is on the Cowlitz County School Board?
Vilas Sundberg (Director District 1); Ray Teter (Director District 2); Steve Ogden (Director District 3); Levi Godinho (Director District 4 (at large)); Angelica Velazquez (Director District 5 (at large)); Stephanie Harbell (Director District 1); Jeremy Kushner (Director District 2); Wesley R. Eader (Director District 3); Katie A. Perkins (Director District 4); Dustin L. Moon (Director District 5); Leah Moore (Director Position 1); Francisco J. Uribe Alvarez (Director Position 2); Jeane Conrad (Director Position 3); Mike Haas (Director Position 4); Rich Fletcher (Director Position 5); Deborah Pineda (Director Position 1); Susan Donahue (Director Position 2); Don Wiitala (Director Position 3); Barb Westrick (Director Position 4); Jennifer E. Leach (Director Position 5); Sherry M. Schwinn (Director District 1); Janell Wheatley (Director District 2); Lisa Mathes (Director District 3); Susan Dorcheus (Director District 4); Shebanyah VanHoof (Director District 5); Sarah Stuart (Director District 1); Paul McLendon (Director District 2); Marie Wodaege (Director District 3); Trish Huddleston (Director District 4); Tom Guthrie (Director District 5).
What is the population of Cowlitz County?
About 112,360 people, with a median age of 41.5; the median household income is $76,531 and 12.2% live below the poverty line (Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
What is the unemployment rate in Cowlitz County?
4.0% in September 2026 (preliminary): 1,878 people unemployed in a labor force of 46,732, against 4.6% a year earlier (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted).
How many local governments are there in Cowlitz County?
45 in the Census Bureau's 2022 Census of Governments: 1 county, 5 municipal, 6 school district and 33 special district governments.
What cities and towns are in Cowlitz County?
2: Kelso, Longview. Each has its own page with its mayor and council.

Officeholders as of November 6, 2026, from the Washington Secretary of State's certified results of each seat's last general election (2021–2025); officials appointed since then may differ; each name links to its source. Officials change between elections (appointments, resignations), and the body's own website is the authority. Party is shown only for offices elected on a partisan ballot.

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