A social studies teacher at Vancouver iTech Preparatory is the Democratic candidate running for the 18th District state representative seat.
John Zingale’s goals include improving the public education system and strengthening the economy for Washington’s next generation. He put his name on the ballot in early May, hoping to set an example for his students, who he encourages to be active in the community.
“One of the things we need to do is make sure we create active citizens,” Zingale said. “I’ve made pocket constitutions for the kids, and we’ve done projects [including] writing letters to their senators and Congress … I want them to be civically active, whether that’s volunteering at a food pantry, or just helping out their neighbors, or maybe getting involved in politics.”
Education
A teacher of 11 years and father of two, Zingale is focused on improving the state’s support for its public schools. The string of school bond failures in Washington has especially caught his attention. He believes that voters should be able to pass school bonds with a simple majority, rather than the current 60% supermajority required. The Ridgefield School District’s bond failure in April, which received more than 58% of the vote for one of its bond measures, highlighted this issue for Zingale. He aims to lower the requirement to 50% but is willing to compromise at 55% to secure enough legislative support if necessary. He estimates that 80% of currently failing bonds would pass with a 55% supermajority requirement. Zingale additionally supports the implementation of security updates to ensure older facilities are kept up to date.
“That it doesn’t pass frustrates me because that’s a majority of the people. If the city wanted to build something else, all they need is a simple majority, and I think schools should be in that same aspect,” Zingale said.
Another goal of Zingale’s is to improve the state’s education funding gaps. In March, the Vancouver School District approved a $35 million budget cut, which would eliminate 262 staff positions next school year. Zingale calls for more transparency from the state and school districts regarding the use and availability of funds.
“It just seems like every 10 years or so we’re going through these roller coaster years where we’re, we’re letting go teachers, and I don’t think that’s good for morale for teachers, and it’s not good for families, either,” Zingale said. “You know, there are some people let go who developed some really good relationships with kids and kept kids in school.”
Economic and environmental stability
Noting that thousands of southwest Washington residents travel to Oregon for work, Zingale aims to bring more family-wage jobs to the area. He highlighted Washington’s commitment to green energy as a potential source for creating jobs, including those for manufacturing solar panels and domestic semiconductors. Another opportunity Zingale is interested in is the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project, which is expected to generate thousands of jobs during construction. According to a study conducted by the program last year, the completed bridge is projected to generate $11.6 billion in economic activity over the following 10 years. Because bridge tolls are expected to fund part of the construction costs, this has been a contentious issue for locals. Zingale hopes to find ways to mitigate the toll costs for lower-income families.
“One of the things I will advocate for is the removal of tolls once the bridge is paid for, [though] they’re necessary to make sure we fund it,” Zingale said. “Digital tolling will allow us to track the cost that some of these families are having ... If you make under a certain income now, we would have that data and be able to help working families out with that.”
The state funding of other transportation improvements is another focus for Zingale, who is asking voters to vote no on Initiative 2117, which would repeal the Climate Commitment Act. The law works to reduce carbon emissions through “allowances,” which companies can purchase and trade at auctions, similar to stocks. Each year, the state reduces the amount of allowances, which raises the value and price. The funds are transferred to transportation improvement projects, including road improvements, across the state. Republican leaders have argued the law has caused gas companies to raise prices. Zingale, however, says oil companies are to blame.
“They used the war in Ukraine to jack up prices, and they haven’t lowered them even though oil is less than, or equal to, before then in [cost],” Zingale said. “The benefits [include] making our environment cleaner, and the people that are polluting it the most are … having to pay for that.”
Zingale seeks to find additional ways to lower the cost of living for Washingtonians. He aims to address the rising cost of child care services, noting that the expenses are offsetting the wages families earn. Reducing health care costs, especially for those unable to afford health insurance, is also a priority for Zingale. “I’ve seen the families of students I’ve taught … when their child gets sick, or they have brain cancer, or they need glasses and can’t learn because they don’t have insurance to cover eyeglasses, and I think that’s morally wrong,” Zingale said. “I think health care should be a human right … I would love to see Washington eventually become a state that can provide that for our people. It’s not going to be an easy task … It’s a service the government can help provide, rather than just being a for-profit piece.”
Zingale is running against Republican candidates John Ley and former Battle Ground Mayor Philip Johnson on the Aug. 6 primary election ballot. Ley faces an October trial for election fraud charges for not being an 18th district resident, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Ley did not respond for a story request.
Contact Zingale’s campaign 360-553-9712 or by emailing ElectJohnZingale@gmail.com, or learn more at www.electjohn zingale.com.
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