Pasco voters find themselves in new districts as 2022 election filings open
Washington’s new legislative maps are going to have a major impact on Pasco voters as they find themselves in several new districts.
Filing for the Aug. 2 primaries opened this week, giving voters a peek at who to expect on the ballot later this summer.
Virtually every Pasco voter will be in a new state legislative district after the 2020 census redistricting process wrapped up earlier this year.
The old legislative maps had west Pasco in District 9, which stretched all the way to Pullman and the Idaho border.
East Pasco was in District 16, which encompassed the rural areas around the Tri-Cities from Prosser to Walla Walla through Columbia County.
Now, west Pasco will be in District 8 with most of the other residents of the Tri-Cities.
And east Pasco will be in a drastically reshaped District 15 that will stretch from eastern Yakima through Franklin County.
Highway 395 remains the major dividing line between the districts. A small section of industrial area in east Pasco, south of Sacajawea Park Road will actually be in District 16.
District 9 will shift to just outside of Pasco city limits to the east, and run up to include Mesa and Connell.
More election changes
Pasco schools also will have a major election in August. The entire school board is up for reelection after redrawing their board member districts.
Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier said some voters in the county may be surprised to be shuffled from U.S. Congressional District 4 to District 5, or from one state legislative district to another, but he believes they will still have a strong voice in their state representatives.
Didier is also the chairman of the Franklin County Republican Party.
He said that voters biggest concern should be getting out and making their voices heard.
“The Franklin County voters won’t have a say unless they get out and vote,” Didier said. “Right now I have a lot of people upset about this water park in Pasco, but only one in five voters voted.”
Didier said Franklin County is growing rapidly, so it’s more important than ever that people vote. He said that’s how voters who are concerned about the integrity of the electoral system and disenfranchisement can ensure they have a voice in their government.
Jake Dorsey, acting chair of the Franklin County Democrats, said that while the new District 15 looks to be a majority minority district, he doesn’t expect it to be immediately competitive.
“Because it is all brand new, I do not expect races to suddenly become more competitive, candidates need some time to sit with the new district and understand its people,” Dorsey said.
He pointed out that Pasco is now divided among three districts with the rural area immediately outside city limits within a fourth.
Dorsey said that it also will take voters some time to get familiar with who will be representing them. He expects many people will find out they’re in a new district when Washington state sends out the voter guides later this summer.
The deadline to file one of the many open elected positions in the counties and cities is 5 p.m. Friday, May 20.
In Washington state, the top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to face off in the general election in November 2022, even if both are from the same political party.
Also, Benton County is offering an open house and candidate training at the Benton County Voting Center on May 24. The open house begins at 5 p.m. with candidate training starting at 6 p.m.
Benton County
In Benton County, 88 people had filed to run for 61 positions on the first day of filing — ranging from U.S. Congress to statewide races such as secretary of state and county level races, as well as judges. Benton County also had a large number of candidates filing for party precinct positions.
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, filed for re-election in the 4th Congressional District, and already has five Republican challengers.
Those who filed on Monday include: Corey Gibson of Selah; Benancio “Benny” Garcia III of Sunnyside; Jacek Kobiesa of Pasco; and Jerrod Sessler of Prosser. More are expected to file to challenge Newhouse, including state Rep. Brad Klippert of Kennewick.
One Democrat, Doug White of Yakima, also filed.
In the District 8 state Senate race, Republican Matt Boehnke of Kennewick filed, as well as Independent Ronni Batchelor.
For the District 8 state Representative, Glenn Taylor and Stephanie Barnard have both filed as Republicans for Position 1, and April Connors has filed as a Republican for Position 2.
In the District 15 state Senate race, Jim Honeyford of Sunnyside, has filed as a Republican. Bruce Chandler has filed for position 1, and Bryan Sandlin has filed for Position 2, both as Republicans.
In District 16, Jeff Strickler has filed as a Democrat and Mark Klicker has filed as a Republican for the Position 1 seat. For position 2, incumbent Skyler Rude filed as a Republican and Jan Corn filed as a Democrat.
Filings in both Franklin and Walla Walla counties do not yet show any candidates for Legislative District 9 seats.
Benton County Commissioner Shon Small has decided not to seek another term as the District 2 commissioner, paving the way for a competitive race. On Monday three Republicans filed to run for the seat — Richland Mayor Michael Alvarez, Benton County PUD Commissioner Barry Bush and former state Rep. Bill Jenkin of Prosser.
Franklin County
In Franklin County, 52 candidates filed to run for 36 seats on the first day of filing. There is some overlap between Benton and Franklin’s numbers due to the way each district is shaped.
For U.S. Congressional District 5, Ann Marie Danimus of Spokane Valley and Natasha Hill of Spokane have both filed as Democrats.
This story was originally published May 17, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
