Tri-Cities lawyer hopes to oust Dan Newhouse from U.S. House seat

Dan Newhouse has a familiar challenger while a Prosser businessman officially announced his bid for an open state senate seat.

Richland attorney Doug McKinley, a Democrat, is trying a second time to oust Newhouse from the U.S. House seat.

The former Pacific Northwest National Laboratory attorney who now handles civil cases made a bid in 2016 to represent the Fourth District. He lost to Newhouse and Republican challenger Clint Didier in the primary.

McKinley also attempted to unseat state Sen. Sharon Brown during a 2014 campaign.

The race for Sen. Maureen Walsh’s senate seat continues to collect candidates as Rep. Bill Jenkin officially announced that he is running for the spot.

Jenkin, a Republican, has 30 years of experience as a small-business owner and focuses on a fiscally conservative approach to the state budge and a desire to promote economic activity in Eastern Washington.

“Legislators do more than just pass bills,” said Jenkin in a news release “The heart of our job is listening to the people we represent and helping address their needs and concerns.”

The 16th District stretches from Walla Walla to Prosser and includes part of Pasco.

The open seat has brought two other challengers who have filed — former Walla Walla Commissioner Perry Dozier, a Republican, and former Sherwood Trust CEO Danielle Garbe Reser, a Democrat.

Prospective candidates have until Friday to file. They must be registered to vote and live in the district for which they are filing.

The primary election is Aug. 4 and the general election is Nov. 3.

In other noteworthy filing week developments, Brad Peck stepped into the race for Franklin County commissioner to seek a fourth term. His fellow commissioner, Bob Koch, is stepping down bringing three new candidates into the race.

Along with Auditor Matt Beaton, who plans to challenge Peck for a second time, former educator Kim Lehrman announced her run for the spot.

Lehrman, a Democrat, said it’s time for a new voice in the commission.

“I’m running because I believe Franklin County is a special place,” she said. “The kind of community that people can feel welcome, raise their families, start a business or dream of passing on a family farm. The people who live here deserve a county government as good as they are.”

As of mid-day Tuesday, 39 candidates had filed for 21 of the 23 seats up for election this year in the Mid-Columbia.

The following are those seeking office in the Tri-Cities. New additions are in italics. Candidates are added to the list when they file, not when they announce.

County commissions

Benton County, Pos. 1, Jerome Delvin (incumbent), Donnie Landsman, Michael Alvaraz, Jeff Smart

Benton County, Pos. 3, Jim Beaver (incumbent), Will McKay, Joe Lusignan

Franklin County, District 1, Kim Lehrman, Matt Beaton, Brad Peck (incumbent)

Franklin County, District 2, Ana Ruiz Ramirez, Rocky Mullen, Cliff MacHugh

Judicial

Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Pos. 1, Shawn Sant, Bronson J. Brown, Talesha “Tali” Sams, Shelley A. Ajax

Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Pos. 2, Joe Burrowes (incumbent)

Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Pos. 3, Alex Ekstrom (incumbent)

Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Pos. 4,

Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Pos. 5, Sam Swanberg (incumbent)

Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Pos. 6, Carrie Runge (incumbent)

Benton-Franklin Superior Court, Pos. 7, Jackie Shea Brown (incumbent)

Legislature

Representative, District 8, Pos. 1, Shir Regev

Representative, District 8, Pos. 2, Matt Boehnke (incumbent)

Representative, District 9, Pos. 1, Mary Dye (incumbent)

Representative, District 9, Pos. 2, Joe Schmick (incumbent),

Representative, District 16, Pos. 1, Frances Chvatal, Mark Klicker

Representative, District 16, Pos. 2, Carly Coburn, Skyler Rude (incumbent)

Senator, District 9, Mark G. Schoesler (incumbent)

Senator, District 16, Danielle Garbe Reser, William “Bill” Jenkin, Perry Dozier

Congress

Representative, District 4, Dan Newhouse (incumbent), Doug McKinley

Specialty

Benton County PUD, Pos. 2, Jeff Hall (incumbent)

Franklin County PUD, Pos. 2, Bill Gordon (incumbent), Casey Cochrane

Benton County Fire District No. 6, Pos. 2,

Election officials are encouraging people to file online this year because many offices are either closed or operating with limited staff due to the stay-at-home order during the coronavirus pandemic.

Candidates seeking countywide and local offices should file with Benton County Auditor’s Office or the Franklin County Auditor’s Office.

People interested in federal, statewide and multi-county legislative or judicial offices can file online with the Washington Secretary of State Office.

Track Benton County filings and Franklin County filings.

This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 2:16 PM.