Results are in: Will Kennewick port get its 1st Latino leader?
Raul Contreras Gonzalez, assistant director for the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is poised to succeed longtime Port of Kennewick Commissioner Tom Moak.
Moak previously announced he would not seek a new term.
Preliminary election results Wednesday showed Contreras Gonzalez defeating Tammy Kenfield, a beautician and business owner, 12,100 votes to 9,000, or 57% to 43%.
The Port of Kennewick is the primary economic development agency for eastern Benton County, with a service area that extends from West Richland to Kennewick to the Columbia River.
It operates business and industrial business parks throughout its territory. In recent years, its focus has emphasized place making.
In 2013, it famously closed the Vista Field municipal airport to aviation, citing costs and lack of federal funds to operate the facility.
It is reinventing the 103-acre former airfield in the heart of Kennewick as a mixed-use development developed with homes, businesses and walkable amenities.
It has also focused on transforming Clover Island into a visitor friendly destination by remaking the shoreline.
Neither Contreras Gonzalez nor Kenfield have previously held public office. Both committed themselves to promoting economic development and cited their close connections to the business community.
The winner of the six-year term will be seated in January, joining Skip Novakovich and Ken Hohenberg.
Vista Field will continue to dominate the commission’s agenda.
Contreras Gonzalez said he endorsed the port’s approach, calling Vista Field an “ambitious and visionary project.”
“It’s natural to experience a few bumps along the way,” he said in response to Tri-City Herald reader questions, “I believe the port has a strong and capable team that is committed to seeing the project succeed. “
The current approach, he said, is the right long-term strategy.
Results will be updated at 4 p.m. Thursday, according to the Benton County Auditor’s Office.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 9:43 PM.