Why the Benton GOP wants Richland voters to pick a candidate who died
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Benton GOP urges votes for deceased candidate to block teen opponent's win
- Donald Landsman's win triggers appointment process if he prevails posthumously
- Republicans cite experience gap as basis for backing late candidate over Maier
In an unusual move, the Benton County Republic Party is advising Richland voters to support a city council candidate who died last month instead of his teenage opponent.
Donald Landsman, 62, died unexpectedly Aug. 31 after winning 59% of the vote in the August primary.
Under Washington law, his name will be on the Nov. 4 general election ballot, along with the second-place finisher, John Maier, a 2025 Hanford High School graduate.
Landsman’s eldest daughter, Chrystyanna VanDyke, confirmed the family decided to move ahead with the campaign after learning his name would still appear on the ballot.
“It was a decision by all of us to go to the Benton County Republican Party since he’s not here to speak for himself to get the endorsement,” she told the Tri-City Herald.
She is not related to another city council member, Shane VanDyke. However, John Maier, is the son of incumbent Councilman Kurt Maier.
Signs still waving
Landsman’s family supports continuing the campaign, which includes large signs adorned with fluttering U.S. flags along major streets in Richland.
If Landsman wins, the city council will appoint a temporary replacement until another election is held next year.
VanDyke said she’s unaware of a specific potential appointee.
The local GOP did not respond to questions about its decision to endorse a candidate who is unable to take office in January.
But its online endorsement says voting for him will honor his commanding lead in the primary and will prevent an “unqualified” candidate from taking office.
“This will ensure Richland’s voters will determine who will ultimately serve and that the position will not default to an unqualified, unpopular opponent,” the party wrote in its endorsement.
John Maier, who is legally qualified for the council position, could not be reached by the Herald this week about the campaign and the GOP’s opposition.
The seven-member city council is officially nonpartisan, but the Republican Party routinely issues endorsements in local races. Local Democratic Party leaders did not respond to Herald requests for a comment on the issue.
Landsman and Maier filed to run for Ryan Lukson’s Position 4 seat during filing week in May. Lukson did not seek reelection.
Landsman and Maier advanced after receiving nearly 59% and 38%, respectively, in the primary. A third candidate, Jordan Lee, received about 3.5% of the vote.
Landsman never held public office, but had a long history of working as a precinct officer for the local GOP and for his role in various causes, including issues related to his beloved motorcycle community.
First-time candidate
When Maier filed last May he was 18 and a few weeks away from graduating from Hanford High School, where he was a student athlete.
His father, Councilman Kurt Maier is running for a second term against another Republican Party-endorsed challenger, Kyle Saltz.
John Maier’s told the Tri-Herald in May, he would not automatically side with his father on matters before the council.
“If we have a different view on things... We can discuss it and we have to make peace with that,” he told the Herald.
Though he has not responded to interview requests, he submitted a statement to the voters pamphlet. In it Maier quoted Abraham Lincoln, “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Maier said he would bring a younger view to the city’s top elected leadership.
“I am motivated to change our city codes to facilitate more affordable housing, represent our needs with Ben Franklin Transit for longer service hours and more capacity for school trips, and to motivate others, especially young people, to engage in government.”
In campaign filings with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, he indicated he has neither raised nor spent any money and has no income, assets or debts.
Landsman’s daughter advised voters not to sit out the election just because her father is not able to take office.
“Please cast a vote. It counts for something,” she said.
About the election
Four of seven seats on the Richland City Council are on the November ballot, ensuring voters have a chance to choose a new majority.
The arrangement is due to a quirk in Richland’s charter that awards the candidate who wins with the least number of votes a two-year term, while the others receive a four-year term. Councilman Kurt Maier is the current holder of the two-year term after winning his current position in 2023.
Voters this fall will also have a chance to change the city charter to change the system from electing all members from at-large to choosing five from districts and two at-large positions.
Ballots will be mailed Oct. 17 and must be returned or postmarked by Nov. 4, election day.
Voters can register online at voter.votewa.gov by Oct. 27 or in person at local election offices until election day. To register in Washington, voters must be U.S. citizens, residents of the state, at least 18 years old, not disqualified from voting by a court and not incarcerated for felony convictions.