Republican candidate for Congress is a no-show in Clatsop CountyCongress matters to Clatsop County. The members of Congress who have represented the First District in Washington, D.C., over the past 29 years have been key players in this region’s economic and cultural development. Les AuCoin won federal appropriations that created a U.S. Coast Guard housing subdivision in Astoria, built the Duncan Law Seafood Consumer Center, built a new Fort Clatsop National Memorial Visitors Center, based a Coast Guard cutter here and much more.

During her brief congressional career, Elizabeth Furse continued that tradition by winning appropriations to create the MERTS campus of Clatsop Community College.

David Wu has watched out for this region in ways both large and small. His accomplishments include federal funding for rebuilding the East End Mooring Basin in Astoria, improvement of the Warrenton wastewater treatment facility, rehabilitation of the Portland-Astoria rail line and much more.

All three of these lawmakers have also distinguished themselves in national and international debates. Congressman Wu has been a major voice on trade relations with China.

In the weeks ahead, we’ll see evidence of a race for the First District, as Wu’s opponent appears in television ads. But Goli Ameri has yet to make a major appearance in Clatsop County.

Ameri distinguishes herself from Wu on the larger social issues that Republicans hope will win for them this year. But politics are exceedingly local in Clatsop County.

During last Saturday’s Regatta parade, Congressman Wu was well represented. On Thursday night at the Regatta Admiral’s reception, Wu extolled Astoria’s rebirth.

From this vantage point, Ameri seems to be running a stealth campaign. This newspaper has more than once invited Ameri to come here for an interview.

It is standard practice in many congressional elections to run cardboard cut-out campaigns. The candidate’s name in inserted into a message that is crafted in Washington, D.C. That’s good for major television market campaigns, but that’s not what this congressional election is about for the voters of Clatsop County. To be a serious candidate in this region, Ameri must understand the legacy of community building she would inherit as well as her need to push it forward.