Pendleton city council aims to fill Ward 2 vacancy with elected successor
By Griffin Beach on Wednesday, July 8th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Joseph Hull won the Ward 2 seat in the Pendleton City Council during May’s primary election, and if he’s interested, he will likely get an early start to his term.
Sean Butler held the two-year term Ward 2 seat until he submitted his resignation June 30th, which the council formally accepted at Tuesday’s meeting. The reason for Butler’s resignation was not publicly released.
Mayor McKennon McDonald said the purpose of Tuesday night’s discussion was to determine the process of selecting someone to fill the remainder of the term. The city charter states council has the right to make an appointment but does not specify how the council arrives at that decision.
McDonald noted that typically in the past they’ve opened up an application process to qualified residents, but added that this was a unique situation because the seat opened with a successor already elected.
“I think it would expediate and logical to offer Mr. Hull a chance to take his seat early,” Councilmember John Thomas said.
That sentiment was echoed by several council members. Councilmember Ellie McBride, who also represents Ward 2, said the city should reach out to Hull first to ensure he’s available since he was not scheduled to take the seat until January.
The council stated that if Hull is willing to fill the seat, he should submit a formal letter for the record. If the item can be placed on the July 21 meeting agenda, Hull could start as soon as that night.
File photo of Pendleton City Hall
