Election roundup: Luzzo Gilmour increases lead in Richland council race

A Richland City Council candidate increased her slim lead Wednesday over a former councilman.

Dori Luzzo Gilmour now leads Greg Jones by 116 votes, up from 31 votes upon the initial release Tuesday night. Luzzo Gilmour, a stay-at-home mother and former wine tasting room manager, has 3,358 votes, 50.9 percent, to 3,242 votes, 49.1 percent, for Jones.

Luzzo Gilmour was the only person to file to run in May against Jones, who then resigned from the council in August to take a job in New Mexico. Should Jones win, it would be up to the council to appoint a replacement for the next two years.

In other updated election tallies announced Wednesday afternoon, Pasco Councilwoman Rebecca Francik’s lead narrowed against David Milne, owner of Milne Nail Power Tool & Repair. Francik has 3,455 votes, 53 percent, to Milne’s 3,028 votes, 47 percent.

On the Richland School Board, Jill Oldson has a narrow lead over Brett Amidan. Oldson has 4,416 votes, 50.2 percent, to 4,385, 49.8 percent, for Amidan. Gordon Comfort has 4,696 votes, 52 percent, to incumbent Phyllis Strickler’s 4,296 votes, 48 percent.

Aaron Richardson widened his lead over Pasco School Board President Ryan Brault. Richardson has 4,194 votes, 56 percent, while Brault has 3,260 votes, 44 percent.

Pasco School Board incumbent Scott Lehrman appears to headed to another term. He has 4,740 votes, compared to 1,821 who wrote in a candidate. The only declared write-in opponent in the race is Kathleen Barton, though the votes aren’t all necessarily for her.

The Benton County Auditor’s office estimates 15,000 votes are left to be counted across the county. The next results announcement is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Nov. 5.

Franklin County estimates 600 ballots left to count. Its next count is scheduled to be announced at 6 p.m. Nov. 5.

Races that were fairly close on the West Richland City Council and Kennewick Public Hospital District remained relatively unchanged Wednesday.

One Benton City Council race remained close, with Vanessa Coates, who has 192 votes, 50.8 percent, ahead of Joseph Chapin Jr, who has 186 votes, 49.2 percent. Incumbent Councilwoman Connie Meredith is also in the race as a write-in candidate, but has only 6 votes, 1.5 percent.

Incumbent Mayor Lloyd Carnahan is in danger of losing his seat to Mayor Pro-Tem Linda Lehman. Lehman has 272 votes, 62 percent, to Carnahan’s 172 votes, 38 percent.

Also trailing is incumbent Councilwoman Michelle McLeod against Jake Mokler. Mokler has 252 votes, 61 percent, to McLeod’s 159 votes, 39 percent.

David Sandretto also leads a Benton City Council race with 239 votes, 58 percent, to Charles T. Gray’s 174 votes, 42 percent.

On the Prosser City Council, Humberto Rodriguez has 505 votes, 86 percent, to 84 votes, 14 percent, for write-in candidate Deb Brumley. All other council races there were uncontested.

Connell City Council members Kathy Silva and Ray Minor both have double-digit leads against their challengers.

In Kahlotus, Shirley Ayers had 23 votes, compared to 10 for a write-in. The only declared write-in candidate is Michael Robitaille. Robitaille’s mother, Marcia Robitaille, also is running. She trails Robert L. Hagans 19 votes to 17.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 9:59 PM with the headline "Election roundup: Luzzo Gilmour increases lead in Richland council race."