Franklin commissioner won’t seek re-election. 2 already want his spot
A race for an open Franklin County commissioner seat is already heating up as election offices are starting to accept candidate filings by mail this week.
Franklin County Commissioner Bob Koch told the Herald that he is not seeking a fifth term on the board. A strong advocate for agriculture, the commissioner pushed to get a new public access road to the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area.
“I’ve got enough years in,” Koch said. “I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve done on the board. It’s just time to retire.”
He already has two candidates looking at his spot — Pasco businessman Rodney “Rocky” Mullen, a Republican, and Pasco community organizer Ana Ruiz, a Democrat.
Mullen is a Franklin County native. He and his wife own and operate Sahara Pizza, Big Western, Big Western Auctions and Dove Financial. While he hasn’t sent out an official announcement, Mullen has posted a picture of himself in front of a campaign sign.
A former challenger, Mullen lost a close race for the spot in 2016 after it ended up in a recount.
Ruiz came to Franklin County in 1997, and was the co-founder of the Pasco Taco Crawl and led the team that cemented the sister city agreement between the state of Colima and Pasco.
“I am running because above all else, I love our community and I am proud of what it has accomplished,” she said. “By bringing civility back to our discourse, making sure our roads are in optimal condition, being good stewards of the people’s money, and working with mental health stakeholders will be my priorities. I respectfully ask for your vote,” she posted.
The commission seat is one of more than a dozen federal, state, county, judicial and public utility district spots up for election in November.
Candidates looking to get one of those seats will start officially declaring their campaigns on Monday when filing opens. Candidates can mail in their filing this week. And Benton and Franklin county auditors’ offices start accepting filings on Monday, May 11 through Friday, May 15.
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, the auditors are asking people to file online. People can use online filing between 9 a.m. Monday and 4 p.m. Friday.
Candidates can also send in their paperwork through the mail in Franklin County toe Franklin County Auditor’s Office, Elections Department PO Box 1451, Pasco, WA 99301. In Benton County, people can send it to PO Box 1440, Prosser, WA 99350.
Anyone with questions can reach the Benton County Elections Department at 509-736-3085 or the Franklin County elections department at 509-736-3085.
Offices open for election
People across the state will cast their vote for president, governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, auditor along with several other federal and state positions. This includes Rep. Dan Newhouse’s spot serving Washington’s Fourth District.
Several local legislators are seeking re-election. Eighth District Reps. Brad Klippert and Matt Boehnke are running for another term, and Richland resident Shir Regev appears ready to challenge one of the incumbents according to public disclosure commission filings. The district includes Kennewick and Richland.
Rep. Bill Jenkin, R-Prosser, former Walla Walla Commissioner Perry Dozier, a Republican, and former Sherwood Trust CEO Danielle Garbe Reser, a Democrat, started raising money in the race for Sen. Maureen Walsh’s seat. The one-term senator decided not to run another campaign last November.
The opening of Jenkin’s seat has drawn two challengers — Walla Walla Democrat Frances Chvatal, a nurse, and Walla Walla Republican Mark Klicker, a businessman, want to replace Jenkin, according to commission filings.
Rep. Skyler Rude, R-Walla Walla, hasn’t drawn a competitor yet according to commission filings.
In the Ninth District, which includes part of Pasco, incumbent Sen. Mark Shoesler, Rep. Mary Dye and Rep. Joe Schmick, have already started raising money. Dye has drawn a challenge from WSU student Ryan Vance.
Benton County Commission
Locally, two county commissioner spots in both counties are up for election. The two incumbents in Benton County, Jerome Delvin and Jim Beaver, filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission indicating that they plan to run in 2020.
And they’re already drawing competition.
Former Benton County sheriff’s Deputy Joe Lusignan declared his intention to run against Beaver in mid-November, saying that he was tired of “temper tantrums and name calling” aimed at Sheriff Jerry Hatcher. The declaration came shortly after the commissioners voted the take control of the jail away from the sheriff.
Delvin, so far, has drawn two competitors. Former Richland City Council candidate Donnie Landsman and real estate brokerage owner Jeff Smart.
Landsman hasn’t officially announced his candidacy, but he has filed with the public disclosure commission. A compliance and policies officer with a Hanford subcontractor in 2015, Landsman made an unsuccessful attempt to unseat Terry Christensen.
He has been involved with politics in Olympia and has been a Republican Party precinct officer.
Smart hasn’t filed with the commission yet, but he sent out a notice this week that he intended to challenge Delvin. He wants to see a mental health facility in the county, more affordable housing and an accounting for the public safety sales tax.
“I feel called to serve the citizens of Benton County and bring my management skills to the table for all,” he said. “Whether it’s been real estate management or international business management, I know the path to bringing together groups to accomplish a goal.”
Across the river, the only question is whether Brad Peck will seek another term as a commissioner. He is finishing his third term on the board, and hasn’t filed with the Public Disclosure Commission about running for a fourth term.
At least one person, Auditor Matt Beaton, appears ready to make another run at the commissioner’s seat. He led a failed attempt to unseat Peck in 2016.