Full list of Tri-City Herald Editorial Board 2023 recommendations and videos | Opinion
Ballots are arriving across the Tri-Cities, and voters face some tough choices in their city council and school board elections.
The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board met with more than two dozen candidates in local races to discuss the issues on voters’ minds.
The full stories will be appear online and in print this week for school board races. City council races have already been published. Each of the editorial board sessions also were recorded, and the full videos will be added to stories throughout the week so you can listen to the full discussion.
Because of redistricting, there are more races on the ballot this year. The Herald reached out to more than 40 candidates, community leaders and elected officials in Richland, Pasco and Kennewick for editorial boards this year.
There are also dozens of competitive races in towns around the Tri-Cities, as well as several fire and safety related levies on ballots in Benton and Franklin County, plus hospital district and port races that the Herald was unable to schedule editorial boards for.
Here are their recommendations for the Nov. 7 general election:
Public Safety Sales Tax
Benton County Proposition 1
The Herald Editorial Board recommends voting YES on the Benton County Public Safety Sales Tax renewal.
Richland City Council
Read the full article here.
Position 1: Jhoanna Jones vs. Allison Ball
No recommendation. The Herald was unable to schedule a meeting for this race.
Position 2: Theresa Richardson vs. Liz Vann-Clark (Video)
Liz Vann-Clark
Position 5: Shayne VanDyke vs. Greg Levy (Video)
Shayne VanDyke
Position 6: Kurt Maier vs. Kent Madsen (Video)
Kurt Maier
Position 7: Ryan Whitten vs. Joshua Short
No recommendation. The Herald was unable to schedule a meeting for this race.
Richland School Board
Position 3: Chelsie Beck vs. Nino Kapitula (Video)
Chelsie Beck
Position 4: Katrina Waters vs. Kari Williams (Video)
Katrina Waters
Position 5: Jill Oldson vs. Gene Nemeth (Video)
Jill Oldson
Kennewick City Council
Position 7: James Millbauer vs. Ted Owens (Video)
James Millbauer
Kennewick School District
Position 3: Mike Connors vs. Dustin Petersen (Video)
Mike Connors
Position 4: Brittany Gledhill vs. Aaron Michele Massey
Brittany Gledhill (Video)
*Note: Massey confirmed, but did not attend.
Position 5: Lisa Peppard vs. Josh Miller
Peppard has dropped out of the race. Josh Miller is the only person actively running for the seat, but both names appear on the ballot.
Pasco City Council
Position 2: Joseph Campos vs. Charles Grimm (Video)
Joseph Campos
Position 3: Leo Perales vs. Irving Brown Sr.
No recommendation. The Herald was unable to schedule a meeting for this race.
Position 5: David Milne vs. James Czebotar (Video)
David Milne
Position 7: Peter Harpster vs. Kim Lehrman (Video)
Peter Harpster
Pasco School Board
Position 1: Steve Norberg vs. Vincent Guerrero
Vincent Guerrero
Position 2: John Kennedy vs. Gabriel Lucatero
John Kennedy
Position 5: Rosa Torres vs. Steve Simmons (Video)
Rosa Torres
Other levies
The Herald Editorial Board recommends voting YES on the Franklin County Public Hospital District 1, Franklin County Fire District 3 and Walla Walla County Fire District 5 levies.
About Editorial Boards
Who decides the recommendations?
The Tri-City Herald editorial board is comprised of experienced opinion journalists and community members, and is separate from The Herald’s newsroom. Conversations are on the record.
What does the recommendation process entail?
Whenever possible, The Herald editorial board meets with opposing candidates at the same time. The questions are largely focused on a candidate’s qualifications and goals. The editorial board then discusses the candidates in each race and decides who to recommend. Board members seek to reach a consensus on our recommendations, but not every decision is unanimous.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making recommendations, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues, their understanding of public policy and their ability to work with the current board . We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats.
Why are the editorials unsigned?
Our election recommendations reflect the collective views of The Herald’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. For the 2023 election, the board includes: Laurie Williams, Herald executive editor; Jack Briggs, retired Herald publisher; Ken Robertson, retired Herald editor; Matt Taylor, retired Herald editorial writer; Martin Valadez, Dan Clark and Cecilia Rexus, community representatives. Chris Trejbal is our editorial writer.
