Vancouver legislator says it’s time for her to go

Associated Press

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Veteran Democratic legislator Rep. Val Ogden will not seek re-election this fall, The Columbian reported Monday.

Ogden, 78, is serving her sixth two-year term representing the 49th District, which covers most of Vancouver, Hazel Dell and part of Salmon Creek.

"There comes a time you have to turn over the reins to someone else," Ogden told The Columbian. "I have seen people stay on here in the Legislature past when they should have stepped down. They weren’t as effective, and people felt sorry for them.

"You need to leave when you have full faculties," she said. "You want to leave when they still want you to stay."

Ogden said she wants to spend more time with her husband, Dan, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and their grandchildren, while becoming more active in civic affairs in Vancouver.

"Certainly Dan’s illness plays a part in this," she said. "He’s doing fine. But this is a progressive disease, and we have traveling and a lot of things we want to do."

The couple have children and grandchildren in Seattle, Spokane and Montana.

She plans to finish her term, which ends in December. Potential Democratic candidates for the seat have been awaiting her decision, she said, and now can begin raising money.

"It’s not fair to wait," she said.

Ogden has served as speaker pro-tem of the House and sits on transportation, rules and capital budget committees.

"This has been a good job, a wonderful job, and it has been an honor," she said.

One of Ogden’s proudest legislative accomplishments was getting money for Vancouver’s waterfront trail.

"The city turned around to face the river, instead of turning its back on it. You go down there now in the evening and people are out for walks; jobs have been created. It’s great," she said.