Multiple Richland City Council races have tight margins in primary

Richland City Council members Sandra Kent and Dori Luzzo Gilmour both appear headed for November’s general election, based on Tuesday’s initial primary results.

While Kent had a fairly comfortable lead for her Position 3 seat, Luzzo Gilmour was neck-and-neck with one of her challengers.

A third Richland council race also was exceedingly tight, with the top two candidates separated by just 15 votes.

An estimated 3,000 ballots remain to be counted county-wide. The next tally is expected Wednesday afternoon.

In each race, the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the general election.

Kent, Becker and Regev

Councilwoman Sandra Kent drew 2,937 votes, or 44 percent, in the race for Position 3.

That put her a comfortable distance ahead of her closest challenger, Lloyd Becker, who had 2,099 votes, or 32 percent.

A third challenger, Shir Regev, trailed with 1,591 votes, or 24 percent.

Kent, who joined the council in 2008, couldn’t be reached Tuesday night.

Wireman, Lukson and Luzzo

In the race for Position 4, Ginger Wireman and Ryan Lukson handily beat out a third candidate and will advance to the general election.

But the margin between the two of them was razor thin.

Wireman, an environmental educator and Washington State University Tri-Cities adjunct faculty member, had 2,823 votes, or 43 percent, while Lukson had 2,808 votes, or 42.8 percent.

Lukson is a deputy prosecutor for Benton County.

He told the Herald that he’s grateful for support from voters and is excited to move on to the general election.

“I hope to get out there and meet more people. I’m excited to learn more about the issues people are concerned about in the city,” he said.

Wireman also thanked those who turned out for her.

“I have contributed a lot of heart and time to Richland schools and local environmental issues for 20-something years. I’m grateful for my supporters and hope to build a better future that really works to include millennials and people from all different cultures and interests,” she said.

She added that she’s enjoyed getting to know her competitors, and “whoever makes it through in the general election, I hope we can all work together toward making Richland better for everyone,” she said.

The third candidate in the race, Michael Luzzo, drew 932 votes, or 14 percent.

The race doesn’t haven an incumbent because longtime Councilman David Rose, who currently holds the seat, is retiring.

Luzzo Gilmour, Alvarez, Eskeli and Boasen

In the race for Position 7, incumbent Dori Luzzo Gilmour was drawing 2,722 votes, or 40.6 percent, putting her 19 votes behind challenger Michael Alvarez.

Alvarez had 2,741 votes, or 40.8 percent.

Two others also were on the ballot, but were trailing significantly. Frank Boasen, who isn’t actively campaigning, had 672 votes, or 10 percent, while Eldon E. Eskeli had 578 votes, or 8.6 percent.

Luzzo Gilmour couldn’t immediately be reached Tuesday.

Alvarez said he’s pleased with the initial primary results.

“A lot of people have supported me and been there for me. I want to thank everybody who voted, all the voters in the city of Richland,” he said. “We look forward to doing great things for the city. I’m committed to listening to all the residents of Richland.”

This story was originally published August 1, 2017 at 9:35 PM with the headline "Multiple Richland City Council races have tight margins in primary."