A changing of the guard in Hermiston

HERMISTON — (News release from the city of Hermiston) Four at-large city councilors, a new mayor, and the municipal court judge took their oaths of office at the Monday, Dec. 9 City Council meeting to serve terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

Jeff Kelso, Josh Roberts, and Allen Hayward were elected to their first terms as city councilors in the November general election, and incumbent Maria Duron was elected to her second term.

Doug Primmer was sworn in as the City’s new mayor. Primmer, who has served 12 years on the City Council and six years as Council President, won the primary election in May with over 50% of the vote. He succeeds Mayor Dave Drotzmann, who did not run for a fourth term.

Outgoing city councilors Rod Hardin and Nancy Peterson also chose not to run for another term. Hardin has served eight terms on the City Council and Peterson served one term.

The Hermiston City Council, made up of eight residents elected by Hermiston voters, ultimately decides whether or not the City will take an action on matters concerning the city. The mayor is elected separately from the City Council, and only votes during council meetings in the event of a tie.  The mayor appoints committee members and signs ordinances and contracts for the City.

The four at-large city councilors may live anywhere within Hermiston city limits and the other four city councilors live within each of the city’s four wards. All councilors are elected to four-year terms and voted on by all city residents. The next ward election will be in 2026.

Cameron Bendixsen was elected to serve a second two-year term as municipal court judge. The Hermiston Municipal Court is the judicial branch of Hermiston city government with jurisdiction over all city and state law offenses committed within the city limits, excluding felony matters.

Photo from city of Hermiston (L-R) Mayor Doug Primmer and former Mayor David Drotzmann

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Elkhorn Media Group

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