Pasco councilman loses seat as two challengers nab top spots

Pasco’s newest councilman appears to be out after coming in near the bottom in Tuesday’s primary election.

Chi Flores was seeking election to the Pasco City Council seat he was appointed to last fall.

However, Dan Hatch and Pete Serrano nabbed the top two spots and will face off in the Nov. 7 general election, based on initial results.

Hatch received 210 votes, or 34 percent of the returns. Serrano has 143 votes, or 23 percent.

Flores brought in 41 votes, or 7 percent. He had a total of five challengers.

Flores, 39, was hit with criminal charges in May for allegedly molesting a young girl on two separate occasions.

Late Tuesday, Flores said getting into public service was just the beginning for him and he will continue to serve the community. He wished Hatch and Serrano luck.

“I really enjoyed my time on council, and maybe some time in the future I can get back into it and put a little more effort back into serving the community,” Flores told the Herald. “I wish (Dan and Pete) the best of luck.”

The Franklin County Auditor’s Office will tabulate more votes beginning Wednesday through Aug. 15, the deadline to finalize the election results.

District 4 covers the area between Convention Drive and Broadmoor Boulevard/Road 100, north of Argent Road.

It will be a four-year term.

Flores’ other challengers were Robert “RJ” Garcia, with 95 votes or 15 percent; Abel Campos, with 93 votes or 15 percent; and Trevor Sall with 40 votes, or 6 percent.

Hatch, 32, says he would bring an open mind and the newcomer mentality to the council, and not just vote “yes” on every issue that comes before the board.

A Pasco resident for 20 years, the married father of three is general manager for IHOP based at the Kennewick restaurant. He wants to put his management and listening skills into action for the city, and be part of planning Pasco’s future for all residents.

Serrano, 36, said he has adopted Pasco as his hometown after relocating from California two years ago.

An attorney with the Department of Energy and a married father of two, Serrano said his family plans to be here for the long term. That’s why more recreational facilities like parks, a water park and other family-oriented amenities, concerns about traffic and growth congestion, and better coordination with the school district are at the top of his list.

This story was originally published August 1, 2017 at 9:21 PM with the headline "Pasco councilman loses seat as two challengers nab top spots."