Two men vying for a commissioner's seat with Benton Fire District 6 were in a dead heat after Tuesday night's preliminary results.

Steve McClintock and Richard Jackson each had 50 votes, or 50 percent.

The district covers about 270 square miles in southwestern Benton County, with Paterson and Plymouth as the main towns.

The four-year terms are not salaried, though commissioners receive a small stipend for each meeting they attend.

In Benton Fire District 1, longtime incumbent EW "Bill" Houchin appears to be on his way out.

Houchin had 972 votes, or 44 percent, while challenger Jerry Morris had 1,243 votes, or 56 percent.

The district serves about 350 square miles surrounding Kennewick and the southeastern portion of the county.

Morris, 69, moved to the Mid-Columbia 23 years ago after retiring with 26 years on the job for California's Ventura Fire District in administration, fire investigation and fire prevention.

And in the Benton Fire District 3 race, Tim B. Stewart held a solid lead with 583 votes, or 62 percent. The 51-year-old is the superintendent of the Prosser Cemetery Association and a volunteer firefighter for the city of Grandview, Benton Fire District 5 and the state Mobilization and Southeast Incident Management Team.

His opponent, Gerald "Gerry" Sherman, had 359 votes, or 38 percent.

District 3 covers about 170 square miles in the Prosser area.