Benton commissioner planning 3rd term, as colleague prepares for life outside public eye

A Benton County commissioner, who just secured his third term, looks forward to continuing his work with health officials as they try to move the Tri-Cities through the COVID-19 pandemic toward recovery.

Incumbent Jerome Delvin, a Republican, retained his seat Tuesday night despite a financially robust campaign by Democratic challenger Justin Raffa.

Meanwhile, his colleague — defeated by a political newcomer — is preparing for life outside the public sector after 30 years of service in local government.

Chairman Jim Beaver’s time on the board will end next month as he hands over the reins to the general election victor, Will McKay.

Delvin serves in District 1, which covers Richland and West Richland. Raffa was the lone Democrat in the two Benton commissioner races.

Delvin received 61 percent, or 46,976 votes, and Raffa received 39 percent, or 30,060 votes.

Delvin told the Tri-City Herald he predicted his race would be split 60/40, with the incumbent in the lead, because he doesn’t think Benton County voters will elect a progressive.

He said he won, even with his own party working against him, because he’s out in the community every day while the county party leaders are out of touch with what’s going on.

Over the next term, Delvin said he wants to focus on county infrastructure needs, the administration building currently under construction, the Juvenile Justice Center, and a proposed center for in-patient detoxification and treatment for addiction and mental health.

Beaver has represented District 3, which includes Kennewick, for 12 years.

But on Tuesday, he only received 27,569 votes, or 39 percent, compared to McKay’s 42,028 votes for 59 percent. Both men are Republicans.

McKay could not be reached Wednesday about his successful campaign.

Beaver said Wednesday morning he is wishing everybody the best of luck.

“I hope the community moves forward in a positive way,” he said.

Beaver told the Herald he will spend more time now with his young grandkids, as well as his company, Beaver Properties, in Coeur d’Alene and his real estate business.

Neither Delvin nor Beaver were endorsed by the Benton County Republican Party.

Commissioners serve four years and make $112,000.

Benton ballot returns

The Benton County Auditor’s Office reported it had counted just over 81,100 ballots by Wednesday morning.

That total includes all ballots received either by mail or in official drop boxes up to 5 p.m. Saturday.

So far the county has 76 percent turnout, with about 95,500 ballots received from 126,100 registered voters, according to the Washington Secretary of State’s website.

Ballots that were turned in or postmarked before the polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday will continue to be counted over the next several days, with the final results certified Nov. 24.

Auditor Brenda Chilton projects having another 25,000 ballots to count.

Delvin, Raffa

Delvin has been a commissioner since January 2013.

He is an ex-Richland police officer and a former state representative and senator who served in the Legislature for more than 18 years.

Raffa is a professional musician is the the artistic director of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers and chorusmaster of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra.

Raffa raised $69,464 compared to Delvin’s $30,119, according to statements filed with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.

Raffa finished about 1,600 votes over Delvin in the August primary, or about 7,900 to Delvin’s 6,300. But there were three other Republican challengers who drew about 9,700 votes away from the top two.

Beaver, McKay

Beaver, the current board chairman, was seeking a fourth term.

He has been on the board since January 2009, after serving on the Kennewick City Council for 18 years, including 12 years as mayor. He also was the longtime owner of Beaver’s Furniture.

McKay is a contractor with his own company, W. McKay Construction, and is co-owner of the indoor trampoline park, Max Air Tri-Cities.

Beaver only raised $1,719 compared to McKay’s $25,233, the state PDC shows.

Their race was so close in the August primary that it triggered an automatic recount.

Beaver then eked out a win to advance to November with 5,089 votes, 260 behind McKay’s 5,349. A third Republican candidate came in a close third with 5,042 votes.

This story was originally published November 3, 2020 at 9:26 PM.