Mayoral challenger takes lead in Vanc. race

By KATU News and KATU.com Staff Published: Aug 20, 2009 at 3:42 PM PST
The three candidates for Vancouver mayor. »Play Video
These three candidates for Vancouver mayor will be narrowed down to two in Tuesday's primary election.

VANCOUVER - New numbers in from Clark County Thursday afternoon in Vancouver's mayor race put City Councilman Tim Leavitt ahead of incumbent Royce Pollard.

Results from Tuesday’s primary put Leavitt 42 ahead votes of Pollard, but both candidates will face off in November.

If 70-year-old Royce Pollard gets re-elected, he'll have served 18 years as mayor of Vancouver by the end of the next term.
He's being challenged by the 38-year-old councilman, Leavitt.

Leavitt accuses Pollard of asking for tolls for a new Interstate bridge that are too high. Pollard is saying Leavitt is unrealistic about what it takes to pull off such an important project.

Leavitt criticizes the mayor for raising taxes. The mayor is saying the city had to save fire and police services.