Flurry of 9 candidates running in Kennewick on issues of taxes, growth & safety
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Nine candidates compete in Kennewick’s Aug. 5 primary for six council seats
- Ward races reflect growth-fueled issues like public safety, development, and taxes
- Benton Republicans endorse in every race; Democrats remain unaffiliated in 2025
Kennewick voters will be spoiled for choices as nine council candidates duke it out for six spots.
Washington state’s primary system means the two candidates who receive the most votes in each race will move on to the next election on Nov. 4. The primary is Tuesday, Aug. 5.
Three of the Kennewick City Council seats represent individual “wards.”
Wards are electoral city divisions created to provide more direct representation to voters. On the primary ballot are two races for ward seats and one at-large seat.
Wards vote by individual districts in the primary election, then the two candidates who advance to the November general election are voted on by the entire city, explained Benton County Auditor Brenda Chilton.
There are three city wards, each represented by their own city councilperson. Four other seats on the city council represent all residents on at at-large basis.
The Benton County Republican Party has endorsed or recommended a candidate in each race. Democrats have opted not to endorse candidates in these nonpartisan races.
The Kennewick council is due to make some big decisions in coming months as it pursues rebuilding city hall, constructing a replacement to the Kenneth Serier Memorial Pool and expanding services into quickly expanding Southridge neighborhoods.
Council Ward 1
At-large Councilman Jason McShane is vying for Gretl Crawford’s Ward 1 seat after the outgoing Kennewick mayor announced her retirement from the council.
Tina Gregory and Austin Miller are also running.
Ward 1 is most of west Kennewick, including Vista Field and the Columbia Center mall area. It stretches from the Southridge neighborhood to Santiago Sunset Estates.
McShane, an assistant manager for engineering and operations at the Kennewick Irrigation District, was appointed to his at-large council seat in December 2023.
He says he brings a “practical approach focused on cutting red tape and helping citizens achieve their goals.”
“As a married father of five, I understand the everyday challenges families in Kennewick face,” he wrote in the voters pamphlet.
“It’s essential to keep the city budget lean while creating opportunities for new businesses, supporting job growth, and maintaining the vital public services we rely on. I also believe in expanding access to wholesome, family-oriented activities — entertainment and sporting events — that strengthen our community identity and enrich daily life,” McShane said.
His priorities include improving fire and police coverage, enhancing parks, recreational opportunities and the waterfront, revitalizing downtown and supporting the continued development of Vista Field and the Three Rivers Convention Center expansion.
Tina Gregory currently serves on the Kennewick Planning Commission. The small business owner touts her strong Kennewick roots, 45 years as a resident, and her record as a volunteer.
She says that background will help her to be effective on the council.
“I believe in conservative values and have a strong passion for listening and assisting local residents with their various needs. I’ve attended council meetings and participated in public comments since 2021,” she wrote.
Gregory has been endorsed by the Benton County Republican Party.
In her interview with the party, Gregory said citizen engagement is a priority and that she believes residents were being “taxed out of ownership.”
She said she would also like to reform the city’s invocation process to make it easier for people to give prayers at the start of city council meetings.
Austin Miller is an IRS economist and an adjunct instructor at American Public University who graduated from Kamiakin High School in 2004.
“I want to incentivize people and businesses to create community spaces and events. We’re all worried about the economy. Let’s work together. I want to promote organizations that encourage small businesses to buy from each other, share strategies and grow,” Miller said in his voters pamphlet statement.
He wants to bring a “responsible” approach to growth and public project planning.
“I want to reuse and update spaces where possible, and encourage more mixed-use development. Kennewick is a great place to try new things. As our town grows, we’ll continue to face new challenges,” he wrote.
He previously co-owned a small photography business from 2014 to 2019.
Miller served as a policy intern for Benton County commissioners in 2011.
He says he’s “concerned” by some of the ideas that have spread in the Kennewick community, “often unopposed.” He believes the city needs to find “kind” solutions to its issues.
In his voters pamphlet statement, he mentions protecting the community’s “most vulnerable,” such as transgender youth, the homeless and immigrants.
“People want to feel safe. I want to encourage a culture of civility and support,” he wrote.
So far, Miller is the only candidate in this race to file campaign financial reports with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. He’s raised more than $1,700 and spent about $1,400.
Council Ward 3
Ward 3 encompasses most of East Kennewick, stretching from the Columbia River at the blue bridge to the foothills east of South Olympia Street.
Incumbent John Trumbo is seeking his fourth term to the city council. He’s being challenged by two downtown business owners, Douglas Perez and Warren Hughs.
Trumbo is the former journalist, who retired the Herald in 2012.
He says he’s running to continue his personal commitment to make the “best decisions for the right reasons” for taxpayers’ long-term benefit.
“Government must be held accountable with how tax dollars are used,” he wrote in his statement to voters.
“Sales tax is our biggest revenue, with property taxes No. 2. But it’s not enough. Cost of government is escalating with: transportation benefit district fees, ambulance utility fees, fire and parks impact fees and an option to raise the property tax levy lid from 1% annually to 3%. All this because of Kennewick’s nonstop growth,” said Trumbo, who has lived in Kennewick 25 years.
He is being “recommended” by the Benton County Republican Party.
He lists several immediate needs as priorities for the city council, including construction of a new city hall, pool, Southridge fire station and rebuilding emergency communications systems.
Trumbo says they will need to balance those costs while keeping existing city services — such as police and fire response, water systems and road maintenance — at the forefront.
He has raised about $970 this campaign cycle and spent about $400.
Douglas Perez is owner of Clean Image Restoration in downtown. He also serves on the Kennewick City Planning Commission.
Perez moved to the city in 2017. He credits the community with helping him build his family and business. But he says the city faces “real challenges.”
“I have seen firsthand how quickly Kennewick has grown and changed over the years. I truly believe in our city’s potential and I’m committed to helping us take the right steps forward to ensure that opportunity is within reach for everyone, from small businesses owners, to the working class, to our future first-time home buyers,” Perez wrote.
One example is his support for two Washington laws which allow for a broader range of housing types in cities and looser regulations on accessory dwelling units.
Perez has raised and spent about $171, according to the PDC.
Warren Hughs is a machinist who currently serves on the city’s arts commission. He also owns a metal artworking business, Hughs LLC.
The 17-year resident is concerned the council’s attention toward the bustling Southridge neighborhoods is overshadowing work and investments that could be made in the city’s core.
“It often feels like our home in central Kennewick is overlooked in favor of flashy projects and big developments on the edge of town,” he wrote.
“Last year, I decided to attend city council meetings. I watched council do a great job balancing the budget, but they had to raise taxes to support development in Southridge. I watched them talk about updating the community pool to a new indoor facility, but only after raising tens of millions (of dollars) to expand the convention center,” Hughs continued.
He’s also a volunteer with the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership and a board member for the South Columbia Creative District.
He has not reported any campaign contributions or expenditures.
At-Large Position 4
Three candidates are running for McShane’s at-large Position 4 seat: Brad Klippert, Gloria Tyler Baker and Danielle Schuster.
Brad Klippert served 14 years in the Washington state House of Representatives, representing the 8th Legislative District.
He has more than 30 years in military leadership and law enforcement experience. Klippert has worked the last 25 years for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office as a school resource officer in Kiona-Benton City schools.
“I’m running for city council to support smart, responsible growth while preserving what makes our community unique,” he wrote in the pamphlet.
“With abundant clean water, affordable utilities and a solid foundation for business, Kennewick is well positions to thrive. I will work to keep taxes low, eliminate unnecessary regulatory hurdles and defend the constitutional rights of every resident,” Klippert said.
Public safety is also a top priority. In addition to supporting Kennewick police, Klippert says he will also advocate for “meaningful partnerships” with federal agencies.
On homelessness, he said he’s committed to “partnering with the right agencies to break down barriers to housing and delivering real, compassionate solutions.”
“I will support parental rights, safe neighborhoods, and continued investments in parks and recreation and public spaces that bring people together,” Klippert wrote.
He has the endorsement of the Benton County Republican Party.
Klippert is the only candidate in this race to file contributions and expenses with the PDC. He’s raised about $1,100 and spent $1,000.
Gloria Tyler Baker says her five decades living in Kennewick and four decades as a businesswoman and currently works as title agent at The Auto Lot and was previously a car dealership owner.
“My focus now for our city is public safety, supporting our Kennewick Police Dept. to get the bad drivers and crime off of our streets, while of course also supporting all of our first responders that risk their lives daily to make sure that our families have a safe city to live in,” she wrote.
She also lists fiscal oversight and diversifying the city’s economy as priorities. She also believes the city should partner with private organizations to “do more for our homeless population.
“I think most people in these situations need a ‘hand-up,’ not just a ‘hand out,’ to help them get in a positive place for themselves and their families. This could be a win-win for all of us,” Baker wrote.
She previously challenged former Councilman Bob Olson in 2011.
Danielle Schuster has not filed information about herself in the voters pamphlet, with the Washington PDC, or in an online campaign website.
A biography posted in 2013 to University of Washington athletics shows she attended Kamiakin High School. Public records show she also attended Columbia Basin College.
