Boehnke in position to end Olson’s 28-year Kennewick run

The end of an era appears to be in sight for the Kennewick City Council.

Former Army Lt. Col. Matt Boehnke leads 28-year incumbent Councilman Bob Olson after the first vote totals were released Tuesday. Boehnke has 3,863 votes, or 63 percent, to Olson’s 2,307 votes, or 37 percent.

“He’s a great individual who’s done a lot for the city,” Boehnke said of his opponent. “The voters want somebody who’s going to be there throughout the process. It truly is an honor and I’m truly humbled to carry on the tradition he’s had with the city.”

Fellow incumbent Councilman Paul Parish is in good position for a sixth four-year term with 3,620 votes, or 58 percent, leading wedding officiant Diane Crawford, who has 2,589 votes, or 42 percent.

Parish looks forward to continuing work on completing the Steptoe-Hildebrand loop to link west Kennewick to Southridge, as well as redeveloping Vista Field, he said.

“We’ve got a lot to do in the city of Kennewick with economic development and bringing the city forward into the future,” said Parish, who was already out picking up campaign signs while he spoke on the phone.

Olson would have been 87 at the end of his next term while Parish would be 83.

The challengers both wanted Kennewick to reconsider its ban on recreational marijuana businesses that it approved last year. Olson, meanwhile, remained staunch in his opposition.

Boehnke looks forward to working with other entities like the Port of Kennewick and Benton Public Utility District. He has said he would like the city to consider a new arena for the Tri-City Americans hockey team, as well as a performing arts center larger than the proposed 800-seat facility.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 10:21 PM with the headline "Boehnke in position to end Olson’s 28-year Kennewick run."