Longtime Tri-Cities cop jumps into open commissioner race in Benton County
A long-time Kennewick police officer says he plans on running for an open seat on the Benton County Commission later this year.
Marco Monteblanco, an officer of nearly 20 years with the Kennewick Police Department, is the latest candidate to announce a run for the District 2 position.
He’ll face former state Rep. Bill Jenkin of Prosser and current Benton County PUD Commissioner Barry Bush, both of whom also are running as Republicans.
Filing week for the August primary election begins Monday, May 16.
The seat is being vacated by three-term Commissioner Shon Small, who said he’s leaving because of his personal philosophy on term limits.
And he told the Herald he does not plan on endorsing a candidate to replace him.
“I believe that integrity is paramount, and I feel very honored that I actually have several people that really want me to run again ...,” but, he said, he’s happy with his accomplishments and wanted to keep his campaign promise to serve just three terms.
Commissioner District 2 encompasses large portions of west Benton County, including Benton City, Prosser and parts of west Kennewick and the Hanford nuclear reservation.
Monteblanco is the six-year board president of the Washington state Fraternal Order of Police and has worked as a detective at the Kennewick Police Department.
“Marco has several goals, but his top priorities once becoming Benton County Commissioner are accountability, growth and public safety,” read a news release announcing his candidacy.
His campaign links the area’s sluggish community development to a “dramatic rise in violent crime” in Benton County.
“Our county cannot grow if our citizens and businesses do not feel secure. Marco is committed to providing better resources to public safety services, as well as retaining and recruiting law enforcement staff,” said the release.
Monteblanco grew up in Portland and is the son of a Peruvian parent, who came to the U.S. in the 1970s because of the political unrest. He moved to the Tri-Cities area in 2003.
So far, he’s self-financed his campaign to the tune of $448. No other contributions have yet been listed.
Bill Jenkin, the former 16th Legislative District representative and small business owner, is also throwing his hat in the race after an unsuccessful run at the district’s open Senate seat in 2020. He officially announced in February his plan to run for the commission.
The Prosser Republican has so far earned the endorsement of multiple state and local officials and businesses, including state Rep. Brad Klippert, former Washington State Treasurer Duane Davidson and Lampson International CEO Bill Lampson.
Neither Jenkin nor Bush have reported any contributions yet.
