Here’s what is on your November 2023 ballot in the Tri-Cities area
Tri-Cities voters have their ballots in hand and only a week left to make some tough choices for their local school boards and city councils.
Here’s what you need to know about the candidates in the most competitive races in Benton and Franklin County.
Because of redistricting, there are more races on the ballot this year. That means many city councils and school boards have a majority of their seats up for election.
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.
In addition to stories about each race, the Herald also conducted Editorial Board interviews with many candidates. You can watch the full videos of those interviews at the links below.
Public Safety Sales Tax
Benton County Proposition 1
The Public Safety Sales Tax was first passed in 2014. It brings in more than $8 million annually. That total is split 60-40 with the cities, with their portion allocated by population. The county budgets the money biennially, or every two years.
The sales tax pays for 55 officers across Benton County, as well as gang prevention initiatives, public safety infrastructure and more.
The sales tax is 0.3%, or 30 cents on a $100 purchase.
If the renewal is not approved, the tax will automatically end, or “sunset,” on Dec. 31, 2024. The ballot item does not have a sunset clause.
Here’s what the Herald Editorial Board had to say about the Public Safety Sales Tax renewal.
Richland City Council
Five seats are up for grab on the Richland Council All of them are At-Large, meaning they’re city wide.
Position 1: Jhoanna Jones vs. Allison Ball
Position 2: Theresa Richardson vs. Liz Vann-Clark (Video)
Position 5: Shayne VanDyke vs. Greg Levy (Video)
Position 6: Kurt Maier vs. Kent Madsen (Video)
Position 7: Ryan Whitten vs. Joshua Short
Richland School Board
Three of the five seats on the Richland School Board are up for election.
After Richland voters recalled three board members in August, Position 2 board member Rick Jansons could be left as the only incumbent on the school board after this election. Jill Oldson is the only current incumbent running for reelection, and Bonnie Mitchell has been appointed to fill the Position 1 seat, which is up for reelection in 2025.
Kari Williams was removed from office in the August recall and is running to take back her Position 4 seat.
Position 3: Chelsie Beck vs. Nino Kapitula (Video)
Position 4: Katrina Waters vs. Kari Williams (Video)
Position 5: Jill Oldson vs. Gene Nemeth (Video)
Kennewick City Council
Kennewick Council only has one race in which an incumbent drew a challenger.
Position 5, At-Large: Chuck Torrelli is running unopposed.
Position 6, At-Large: Brad Beauchamp is running unopposed.
Position 7, At-Large: James Millbauer vs. Ted Owens (Video)
Kennewick School District
The Kennewick School board has become increasingly politicized over the past few years, even as the district struggled to bounce back from levy failures before voters passed its operations levy.
Position 3: Mike Connors vs. Dustin Petersen (Video)
Position 4: Brittany Gledhill vs. Aaron Michele Massey (Video)
Position 5: Lisa Peppard vs. Josh Miller
Josh Miller is the only person actively running for the seat after Peppard said she is no longer seeking the position, but both names appear on the ballot.
Pasco City Council
Pasco’s council is split as the city begins to focus on expected massive growth over the next decade. Voters will decide whose priorities they want steering the council this election, with four seats up for grabs.
Position 2: Joseph Campos vs. Charles Grimm (Video)
Position 3: Leo Perales vs. Irving Brown Sr.
Position 5: David Milne vs. James Czebotar (Video)
Position 7, At-Large: Peter Harpster vs. Kim Lehrman (Video)
Pasco School Board
Three Pasco School board incumbents are relying on their experience and dedication to keep them on the board. Voters will have to decide if they’re happy with the district’s direction under their guidance or want to shake things up.
Position 1: Steve Norberg vs. Vincent Guerrero
Position 2: John Kennedy vs. Gabriel Lucatero
Position 5: Rosa Torres vs. Steve Simmons (Video)
Port of Benton
The Port of Benton has a particularly heated commissioners race this year. The choice for voters is between the retired executive director and a respected incumbent commissioner.
Commissioner District 2: Christy Rasmussen vs. Scott Keller.
West Richland City Council
West Richland has three council seats up for election, but only one race drew a challenger.
Position 5: David Fetto is running unopposed.
Position 6: Fred Brink is running unopposed.
Position 7: Kate Moran vs. David Cole
Benton City Mayor and Council
Benton City has three council seats up for election, but none drew challengers. Their mayoral race is the one to watch.
Mayor: Len Burton vs. Jake Mokler. Read the full story.
Position 3: David Sandretto is running unopposed.
Position 4: Sarah Funk is running unopposed.
Position 5: Dyana Alcazar is running unopposed.
Prosser Mayor and Council
Prosser has five seats and their mayor up for election. Only one race didn’t draw a challenger.
Mayor: Gary Vegar vs. Randy Taylor
Position 4: Jim Chesley vs. Maricela Sanchez
Position 5: Devin Matheny vs. Carolina Warwick
Position 6: Steven Becken is running unopposed.
Position 7: Anna Kellogg vs. Stephanie Groom
Connell
Connell has two competitive races
Position 5, At-Large: Preston Hart vs. Patrice Hebel
Position 6, At-Large: Shelly Harper vs. David Dixon
Other levies
Several other fire and hospital district levies are on the ballot across the Tri-Cities. Those include Franklin County Public Hospital District 1, Franklin County Fire District 3 and Walla Walla County Fire District 5 levies. The Walla Walla fire district covers the Burbank area.
