Primary Results: Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla Counties
By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, August 1st, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Voters across Washington state cast their ballots in the primary election Tuesday. In the contested races, the top two vote getters go to the general election in November.
BENTON COUNTY – In the race for city of Prosser mayor, Gary Vegar leads with 55.61 percent of the vote, Randy Taylor is second with 27.04 percent and Harold Lewis is third with 17.2 percent.
Kurt H. Maier has 48.45 percent over Kurt Madsen with 25.67 percent and Marc Newman with 25.3 percent in the race for city of Richland Council Position Six.
Christy Rasmussen leads the race for Port of Benton Commissioner – District with 47.02 percent of the vote, Scott D. Keller is second with 39.41 percent, and Cliff Dyer is third with 13.43 percent.
For Richland School District Board Position 3, Chelsie Beck leads with 54.13 percent of the vote, followed by Nino Kapitula with 26.74 percent, and Tony Gonzalez with 18.47 percent. For Position 4, Katrina Waters leads with 49.05 percent of the vote, Kari Williams is second with 26.76 percent, and third is Aaron C. Riggs with 23.81 percent. For Position 5, Jill Oldson leads with 57.32 percent of the over, followed by Gene Nemeth with 38.22 percent, and Matthew J. Bishop with 3.99 percent.
Results show voters appear to be supporting all three separate recalls against three members of the Richland School Board – Audra Byrd, Misipati Semi Bird, and Kari Williams. Proponents of the recall effort against the three Richland School Board members claim they violated the Open Public Meetings Act by voting at a special meeting taking final action on the matter of making masking optional at schools during the pandemic; violated the law, even after warnings from the state and from legal counsel, when they took the vote; and violated district policies and procedures by failing to assure compliance with law and policy.
FRANKLIN COUNTY – In the race for city of Connell mayor, Preston Hart leads with 51.92 percent over Patrice Hebel and Stephanie Hallman — who both have 23.08 percent.
WALLA WALLA COUNTY – Ruth Ladderud leads the race for Walla Walla School District Board Position 3 with 65.38 percent of the vote, Chris Leyendecker is second with 32.11 percent, and Cheri E. Smith with 2.37 percent. In regards to Smith, Walla Walla County Auditor Karen Martin said Smith sent in a request to withdraw but that request was sent to the auditor’s office a day late per statute. For Position 4, Alayna Marie Brinton leads with 41.22 percent, Zana Carver is second with 36.76 percent, and Eric J. Rindal is third with 21.88 percent. About 1,000 voters living in Walla Walla County Fire Protection Number Two appear to approve a property tax levy of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value for fire protection and emergency medical services. The proposition’s approval is at 60.71 percent.
Election results are certified by each county on August 15, 2023. The Secretary of State certifies final results by August 18, 2023.
The results posted before certification are unofficial.
