Third-time challenger leading over longtime incumbent Rita Mazur

By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer

A longtime Richland City Council incumbent appeared to be losing her bid for re-election Tuesday night, while a relative newcomer to the council kept her seat for another two years.

Veteran Councilwoman Rita Mazur lagged behind challenger Phillip Lemley with 3,710 votes, or 48 percent. Lemley had 4,083 votes, or 52 percent, in his third try for a council seat.

Lemley lost to Councilwoman Sheila Sullivan in the 2007 general election, and lost an appointment to current Mayor Pro Tem Ed Revell in 2006 when former Councilwoman Carol Moser resigned her seat.

"I've been trying to do this for a long time and it's very hard, and I've worked very hard at this," Lemley said. "Whichever way it goes, I'm grateful to the citizens of Richland for giving me this chance."

Lemley is retired from Bechtel as a supervisor at the vit plant. He has lived in Richland for eight years and is single with no children. He serves on the city's Parks and Recreation Commission.

Mazur has served on the council for 14 years and is known for promoting tourism, fighting to improve infrastructure such as the city's water system, and advocating for affordable housing.

Mazur said she plans to stay involved with tourism issues by participating on an ad hoc subcommittee of the city's Economic Development Committee.

She also plans to pursue more domestic pursuits.

"I think I'm gonna clean my house," Mazur said.

Overall, she was disappointed voters didn't opt to give her another term.

"But that's the way it goes," she said.

Councilwoman Sandra Kent, 44, was the apparent winner in her bid to keep the seat to which she was appointed in 2008 after former mayor Rob Welch resigned. Kent had 4,343 votes, or 62 percent. Challenger Creighton Knight had 2,695 votes, or 38 percent.

She is senior counsel for Washington River Protection Solutions, a contractor for the Department of Energy's Office of River Protection. She is married with two stepchildren and has lived in Richland for 10 years.

Kent said she was pleased to see a strong showing of support from the Richland community.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the city of Richland," she said. "It is a privilege to serve. It's an exciting time to be a part of the city council. We have so many opportunities and challenges ahead."

She said the election results show Richland voters are satisfied with the direction the city is going.

Knight campaigned on the need for a fresh voice on the council, but said Tuesday that he believes Kent will serve the city well.

"I know she's well able to do it," he said. "I wish I could have won but I know she'll do a good job."

Knight is a quality assurance supervisor for ConAgra Foods LambWeston with a bachelor's degree in economics. He has been married for over 10 years.

He said he'll continue to look for ways to be involved with the city and its development.

Councilmen Bob Thompson and David Rose and Mayor John Fox also were up for re-election but ran unopposed.

Benton County Auditor Bobbie Gagner said ballots dropped off Tuesday will be counted today. The election will be certified Nov. 24.

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Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Third-time challenger leading over longtime incumbent Rita Mazur

By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer