Novakovich re-elected to Kennewick port commission

Kennewick voters have chosen a downtown business owner for a new six-year term on the Port of Kennewick Commission.

Skip Novakovich, 69, was re-elected to a new six-year term representing the vast third district after fending off a challenge from Rick Reil, 67.

Reil, a 24 year member of the Kennewick General Hospital District Board, ran against Novakovich saying three-member boards need to have more turnover.

With about 70 percent of the Benton County vote tabulated Tuesday evening, Novakovich had 10,970 votes to Reil’s 5,185, or nearly 68 percent to 32 percent. Benton County elections is expected to issue the next update at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Novakovich, owns Esprit Graphic Communications in Kennewick with his wife.

The port’s mission is to develop business and infrastructure in Kennewick. It is completing the first phase of its wine-themed Columbia Gardens project at Columbia Drive and is preparing to begin a mixed-use development at Vista Field.

This story was originally published November 7, 2017 at 8:13 PM with the headline "Novakovich re-elected to Kennewick port commission."