Bellkot, Pittioni and Zingale vying for Clark County Council District 2 seat

When voters open their ballots for the Aug. 4 primary election, they will find three very different candidates vying for the Clark County Council District 2 position.

Incumbent Michelle Belkot, 49, is facing accounting executive Martin Pittioni, 61, and teacher John Zingale, 45.

District 2 covers much of the unincorporated area just north of Vancouver, including the Felida, Lake Shore, Hazel Dell and Walnut Grove neighborhoods.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Belkot continued working as a civil servant and was elected to the county council in 2021. Pittioni is the executive director for Oregon's Board of Accountancy. Zingale teaches history and social studies at Vancouver iTech Preparatory School and was named regional teacher of the year in 2026.

Since being elected, Belkot has faced criticism over frequently attending meetings online rather than in person. She also filed a federal suit against Clark County in 2025 after a council majority voted to remove her as one of the county representatives on C-Tran's board. The suit was later dismissed.

Michelle Belkot

Age: 49

Residence: Felida

Occupation: Civil servant, contract acquisition and procurement

Major endorsements: None cited

Martin Pittioni

Age: 61

Residence: Hazel Dell

Occupation: Executive director, Oregon Board of Accountancy

Major endorsements: Clark County Council Chair Sue Marshall, Clark County Councilor Wil Fuentes, state Sen. Adrian Cortes

John Zingale

Age: 45

Residence: Lake Shore

Occupation: Teacher at Vancouver iTech Preparatory School

Major endorsements: State Sen. Adrian Cortes, Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Clark County Councilor Wil Fuentes, FairVote Washington, OneAmerica Votes, Washington Conservation Action, IBEW 48

While the candidates might have different priorities, there's one issue on which they agree: The county's ongoing budget constraints will make it difficult to find additional funding for law and justice. Currently, an estimated 70 percent of the general fund goes to the sheriff's office, courts, jail, probation and juvenile justice services.

"We have to make sure that we have funding available to pay for all of the other services that the county provides for our residents," Zingale said.

He said the council recently approved a 0.1 percent criminal justice sales tax to help pay for an additional 22 deputies at the sheriff's office, and voters will decide in November whether to support a levy for jail operations, a new sheriff's office headquarters and more staffing.

"I think this is the correct move, to let the voters decide this larger increase for law and justice funding," Zingale said. "Otherwise, we really will have even more budget constraints when it comes to funding the other county services."

Pittioni said it would be nearly impossible to increase funding for law and justice beyond the current 70 percent threshold.

"If you look at the Clark County budget, outside of law and justice, most items are under 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent," he said. "Any further reductions there to shift to law and justice would have an evisceration effect."

Pittioni said he, too, wants safe neighborhoods and supports law enforcement. He said the criminal justice sales tax and the upcoming levy vote are the right approaches.

"Going to the voters with this proposal is the right thing to do, as it would impact property taxes," Pittioni said, adding that the impact is estimated at $180 to $250 per year for median-value houses. "The bottom line is this work cannot be done out of the general fund."

While Belkot declined to respond to The Columbian's questions, during a July 2 Clark County League of Women Voters candidate forum, she said tax decisions should be left to voters.

"I think families are already stretched way too thin because of inflation," she said. "I've consistently opposed new taxes, and I was the sole vote against a recent property tax levy increase this year, and multiple years, actually."

Instead of raising or creating new taxes, Belkot said, the county must better manage its existing resources and responsibilities, cut waste and, unfortunately, cut some staff.

"We need to prioritize core functions like law enforcement," she said. "We as county councilors need to really focus on continuing to support Sheriff (John)Horch."

One of the most common complaints the county council hears from residents is that developers have too much sway over what projects get approved. How will the candidates ensure that the needs and concerns of both residents and developers are considered?

Zingale said it's imperative that the county council listen to the communities it serves.

"I don't think that there should be any undue influence in making these decisions," Zingale said, adding that "we (should) have vital information given to us by all parties involved. This is a partnership, and we need to make sure all stakeholders are at the table so their voices are heard."

During the candidate forum, Belkot said public input is essential and must never be minimized. She also said it's not uncommon for her or other county councilors to change their mind about an issue after hearing from voters.

"As a councilor, I attend community events all the time and neighborhood association events. I listen to people all the time," she said. "I interact with them, I call them back, I physically go meet with them at places that are pretty interesting, actually. I think public input should be above all special interests."

Pittioni said the development community has a right to be heard. The issue is how the council can better listen to residents with equal fervor and meaningful attention, he said.

"It is clear that the opportunity to provide public comment alone is not enough," Pittioni said. "We need less asking the public to come to the council and more of the council coming to the community."

Much like other boards hold meetings in various parts of Clark County, the county council should take its meetings to the residents, he said.

"I will make a personal commitment to regularly go to neighborhood association meetings and seek perspective on issues before the council and current concerns and ideas from our residents," Pittioni said.

Ballots for the Aug. 4 primary are expected to reach mailboxes by July 23.

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