Nealey faces two challengers in 16th District race

A former Pasco School Board member and a longtime Richland School District worker are challenging state Rep. Terry R. Nealey for his 16th Legislative District seat in the Legislature.

Ricardo Espinoza and Gary Downing both hope to unseat Nealey, a Dayton Republican who holds the Pos. 2 seat.

The 16th District covers Walla Walla, Columbia and parts of Benton and Franklin counties.

Nealey has spent seven years in the state House. He’s a member of the Technology and Economic Development and Economic Revenue Forecast committees, and he’s the ranking Republican on the Finance Committee.

His priority is creation of “a responsible budget that prioritizes education and public safety, while not relying on unnecessary tax increases,” according to the voters pamphlet.

He’ll “continue to fight for a long-term energy policy to protect our state’s valuable existing hydro and nuclear power generating facilities,” the pamphlet said.

Nealey told the Herald that his experience and his record of working with legislators from both parties make him the best person for the job.

“It will take reaching across the aisle to find solutions,” he said. “I’ve done that since I joined the Legislature. In the end, that’s the only real way of getting things accomplished.”

Nealey spent 16 years as Columbia County prosecuting attorney and served in the Army.

Espinoza, also a Republican, couldn’t be reached to talk about the election.

His experience includes eight years on the Pasco School Board, working as a financial analyst for the Department of Corrections, as a Hanford Patrol member and as a member of the state Commission on Hispanic Affairs. He also served in the Marine Corps.

Collaboration is a key strength, Espinoza said in a statement in the voters pamphlet.

“Our legislature has failed to conclude on time for two consecutive years at the expense of taxpayers. Our state is being fined $100,000 a day by the state Supreme Court for failing to fully fund public education. ... Residents of the 16th District deserve a more responsible outcome,” he said.

Downing is the sole Democrat in the race.

He’s an Air Force veteran and he’s been a precinct committee officer since 2014.

Downing has been involved in politics for 40 years, and “I’ve always stood up for worker’s rights, women’s rights and human rights. People’s rights,” he said.

A number of issues must be addressed in the state, with education funding at the top of the list, he said.

“Fully funding education (is critical),” he said.

Downing also said tax break reform is needed, and he pointed to homelessness and veterans issues as priorities. He also supports raising the minimum wage to a living wage.

“I want people to understand that I’m going to stand up for them,” Downing told the Herald.

Primary election ballots have already been mailed. They’re due back to a voter’s county auditor or in an official dropbox by 8 p.m. Aug. 2.

The top two candidates advance to the general election.

This story was originally published July 29, 2016 at 7:49 PM with the headline "Nealey faces two challengers in 16th District race."