Two candidates with backgrounds in health care are running to succeed Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, for the 17th Legislative District House Position 2 seat.

Harris is running to succeed Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, who is retiring . Democrat Terri Niles of Vancouver and Republican David Stuebe of Washougal are vying to fill his seat . The 17th District encompasses east Vancouver, Camas, Washougal and Carson.

Niles, 66, is a familiar name in Clark County politics. She regularly speaks at Clark County Council meetings, and she served on the county Charter Review Commission in 2021. Niles, a nurse, has 20 years of experience in intensive care units and five years in nursing administration. She is also a past vice president of AURN, the Oregon Nurses Association bargaining unit at Oregon Health & Science University. Niles lost a 2022 bid for House Position 1 to Rep. Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson.

Stuebe, 63, is the current mayor of Washougal. He was appointed to the Washougal City Council in March 2021 and then elected and named mayor pro tem in November 2021. He was appointed mayor by the city council in September 2022. A retired colonel, Stuebe served in the U.S. Marine Corps — active duty and reserves — for 30 years. He has also worked in the pharmaceutical and health care industries for 20 years, holding leadership and management positions.