Update: Former Port of Benton director, takes lead in hard-fought commission race

Port of Benton voters appeared to be choosing the port’s retired executive director over an appointed incumbent.

The latest results posted Wednesday afternoon from the Nov. 7 general election show Scott Keller, the challenger, leading Christy Rasmussen, the appointed incumbent, by a vote of 4,713 to 3,846, or 55% to 45%.

The election will be certified at 11 a.m. Nov. 28.

Voter turnout was about 25.6%. There are an estimated 10,000 ballots left to count. Results will be updated at 4 p.m., Thursday.

The off-year election focuses on nonpartisan local races for municipal posts. Port districts are chiefly focused on economic development.

Port of Benton

The Port of Benton race offered voters a stark choice between past and future.

Scott Keller spent 30 years with the port, including many as its executive director, before he retired in late 2019.

Rasmussen is a former high school principal and Energy Northwest official who ran on her record of rigorous study and her commitment to executing on the port’s long-range plan using data as a guide. She embraces the port’s big vision to cater to clean energy development.

She was appointed in 2021 to replace Robert Larsen, who retired before his term ended.

Keller’s campaign focused on port-owned facilities he believed were being underused and on its debt.

The Port of Benton is based in north Richland and covers much of western Benton County, extending to Prosser via West Richland and Benton City.

Port of Kennewick

Commissioner Skip Novakovich of West Richland, the incumbent, ran unopposed. He has served since 2009.

Port of Pasco

Commissioner Vicki Gordon, the incumbent, ran unopposed. Gordon was appointed to the commission in 2017 to fill the seat vacated by the death of Ron Reimann and won election in the November election that year.

This story was originally published November 7, 2023 at 9:09 PM.

Wendy Culverwell

Tri-City Herald

Reporter Wendy Culverwell writes about growth, development and business for the Tri-City Herald. She has worked for daily and weekly publications in Washington and Oregon. She earned a degree in English and economics from the University of Puget Sound. Support my work with a digital subscription