Election: Trump appointee has chance to take back his Pasco council seat
Pasco’s former mayor has won his city council race, despite stepping down to become the interim U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Washington.
Pete Serrano will have to decide whether to take the seat back or choose not to accept the position, as his confirmation hearing remains in limbo.
Both incumbent Pasco council members were on track to retain their positions on Pasco City Council as initial election results came in on Tuesday.
Though one could be facing a closer race with more ballots to be counted.
The body helps decide the direction of the city, which will have an estimated influx of 40,000 new residents over the next 15 years.
Serrano’s District 4 seat
Serrano was the only candidate on the ballot for District 4 and earned 96% of the vote.
Serrano resigned as Pasco mayor and council member for District 4 on Aug. 10 before taking the job as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District.
He can serve 120 days as interim U.S. attorney before he must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. If he is not confirmed, the interim appointment will end Dec. 9.
The council appointed Joe Cotta on Sept. 15 to fill the rest of Serrano’s regular term. The council will have to appoint a new member to represent District 4 again in January if Serrano declines the seat.
District 3
Councilman Leo Perales will keep his seat representing District 3 for the next four years, taking a sweeping 70% of the vote, or 1,225 votes. He’s a construction services manager.
His opponent Bryan Verhei won 30% of the vote, or 528 votes.
Council District 3 encompasses northeast parts of the city, including the Tri-Cities Airport and Columbia Basin College.
Perales was elected in 2023 for a two-year term, when Irving Brown Sr. lost his appointed seat.
In response to a recent questionnaire published by the Tri-City Herald, Perales cited the importance of promoting economic development, family values, fiscal conservatism and government accountability.
District 6
Pasco Councilwoman Melissa Blasdel overcame Calixto Hernandez, earning 52% of the vote, or 255 votes, compared to his 48%, or 236 votes. She’ll continue to represent District 6, a central Pasco district that stretches from east Pasco to Heritage Park and includes downtown.
Blasdel was appointed to the council in October 2023.
If Hernandez had won, he would have taken office as soon as the election is certified on Nov. 25 and through Dec. 31, plus a full four-year term.
She also noted in her responses to the Herald’s questionnaire the value of expanding Pasco’s economic base by attracting new businesses to the area.
District 1
Mark Anthony Figueroa ran unopposed to represent Pasco’s District 1, earning 98% of the vote. Councilwoman and former mayor Blanche Barajas did not run for re-election.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 8:50 PM.
