Learn more about Tri-Cities area candidates for key primary races at video forums

July 7 Update:

The Wednesday, July 13, 16th District Washington State Representative forum has been canceled because only one candidate was available to answer questions.

Instead statements of Republican Rep. Mark Klicker and Democrat Jeff Strickler will be broadcast as time allows.

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Candidate forums for five elections that will be on Benton or Franklin County primary ballots in August are planned July 11-15 by the League of Women Voters.

Northwest Public Broadcasting will produce the forums and post them at nwpb.org/vote2022.

They also will be posted on the League’s website at lwv-bf.org; on the Badger Club’s website at columbiabasinbadgers.com; and at the Richland city site at ci.richland.wa.us and the Pasco city site at Pasco-wa.gov.

They will be aired on scheduled dates on public TV channel KTNW at 7 p.m. and repeated at 11:30 p.m. Monday and 11 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Ballots will be mailed out July 15. July 25 is the deadline for online and mail voter registration. Aug. 2 is election day and those not yet registered to vote may register and vote in person.

The forums are scheduled as follows:

▪ Monday, July 11, 8th District Washington State Senate.

Candidates are state Rep. Matt Boehnke and Alex Barrington, both Republicans, and Ronni Batchelor, running as an independent.

▪ Tuesday, July 12, 8th District Washington State Representative.

Candidates for Position 2 are Republicans Joe Cotta and April Connors; Democrat John Christenson and Larry Stanley with the Alliance Party.

▪ Wednesday, July 13, 16th District Washington State Representative.

Candidates for Position 1 are Republican Rep. Mark Klicker; Democrat Jeff Strickler and Sharon Kay Schiller with the Peace and Freedom Party.

▪ Thursday, July 14, 4th Congressional District.

Candidates for U.S. representative are Democrat Doug White and Republicans Corey Gibson, Loren Culp, Brad Klippert, Jacek Kobiesa, Benancio “Benny” Garcia III, Jerrod Sessler and Rep. Dan Newhouse.

▪ Friday, July 15, Benton County Commissioner.

Candidates for District 2 are Republicans former state Rep. William “Bill” Jenkin, Benton PUD Commissioner Barry Bush and Richland Councilman Michael Alvarez.

The Columbia Basin Badger Club also plans a virtual candidate forum for the county commissioner position at noon July 21. Cost for nonmembers to attend the videoconference is $5. Register at columbiabasinbadgers.com.

This story was originally published July 5, 2022 at 9:45 AM.