Who’s running and for what?
By Terry Murry on Thursday, March 10th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
The filing deadline has passed for the May primary and there are a number of races that see incumbents being challenged. Here’s a quick look around the area:
UMATILLA COUNTY
Six candidates have filed to run for the Board of Commissioners seat that will be vacant, due to the retirement of Commissioner George Murdock. The last candidate to file on deadline day was retired Sen. David Nelson. Candidates who filed earlier include Bob Barton, Jesse Bonifer, Susan Bower, Cindy Timmons, and Alvin Young.
Another late-filer has forced a primary race for the seat held by incumbent Commissioner John Shafer. Holly Jo Beers has filed to oppose him. Because there were only two candidates, that election would have been held in November. Late filer Rick Pullen means those three names will be on the May ballot.
In Umatilla County, the top two candidates in the primary meet in the general election in November.
PENDLETON
Only one person is running in each of the five city council seats up for election. At-large Councilman Jake Cambier is retiring. The only person filing for his seat is Addison Schulberg. Four incumbents are running unopposed for reelection.
HERMISTON
There are three contested city council races. Jacki Linton and Lori Davis are running for the Ward 1 seat. Ray Barron and Stan Stradley are competing in Ward 2. David Patrick McCarthy and Phillip Spicerkuhn face off in Ward 4. There is also competition for municipal judge. Incumbent Tom Creasing is being challenged by Cameron Bendixsen.
UMATILLA COUNTY BOND MEASURES
Only two cities in Umatilla County have placed measures on the ballot. Helix is asking voters to approve a $1 million bond to make parks improvements, including a new pool, splash pad, pump house, and bath house.
Milton-Freewater is asking voters to renew a local option tax that funds park maintenance. The tax provides $100,000 a year for five years. It will be used to improve, replace, or repair the city’s recreation facilities including the golf course, parks, and aquatic center.
MORROW COUNTY
Two seats on the Morrow County Board of Commissioners are up for election. Incumbent Melissa Lindsay is being challenged by Johnathan Tallman and Jeff Wenholz. Mike McNamee, David Sykes, and Gus Peterson are running for the other seat.
MORROW COUNTY BOND MEASURE
The Morrow County School District has placed a $138 million bond measure on the ballot. The funding, which will be matched by about $4 million in state funds, is to modernize schools and increase capacity.
It would allow the district to upgrade security and safety measures in all of its buildings, modernize the HVAC systems, add classroom space, create a K-12 facility at the existing Heppner Junior/Senior High School campus, and create separate elementary, middle school, and high school spaces in buildings where they are combined.
