Two solid candidates want Pasco’s open city council seat. Here’s who should get it
The only contested race for Pasco City Council this year pits two highly qualified candidates against each other.
Community leaders Nikki Torres and Leo Perales are vying for the seat left open by Pasco Mayor Saul Martinez who, after serving 10-plus years, has decided not to run for re-election.
With Martinez gone, the city council will be left without its most experienced, longest serving member. What’s more, he will leave behind a council with relatively new incumbents who are either in the middle or just finishing up their first four-year terms.
Fortunately for Pasco voters, both Torres and Perales are well prepared to join the team.
But since only one can be elected, we think Torres has the edge in this race.
To be clear, the winner in the November election will not become the next mayor. The city council members will choose their leader when the new term starts in January.
Even so, in our interview it was apparent that Torres and Perales have done their homework and both are as ready for the council post as any newcomer could be.
Perales is a code safety professional for an engineering company. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the nuts and bolts of civic planning, having served as vice chair for the Kennewick Housing Authority, vice chair for the Benton County Planning Commission, and the Kennewick Improvement Board.
He’s also been involved in police and voting rights issues in Pasco even when he didn’t live in the city. He ran for Kennewick City Council in 2017 and ran for the state senate in 2018, challenging Sen. Sharon Brown.
He said he moved to Pasco a couple of years ago, and he shuts down any suggestion that he moved across the river for political reasons. Perales was born in Pasco, has many family members who call Pasco home and he says Pasco is where his wife works and where they are raising their family.
His desire to serve is admirable, and his knowledge of civic codes and policies certainly would be helpful if he is elected.
Torres, though, is an extremely impressive candidate.
She has lived in Pasco for more than 40 years, raising a family and building her career. Torres currently serves as the Strategic Partnerships Manager for Western Governor’s University and her involvement in the community is extensive.
She is past president of the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber and has served on the boards for Tri-Cities Community Health, the Kennewick Police Department Foundation and Visit Tri-Cities, and has volunteered many hours with several other organizations.
Currently, she’s a member of the Association of Washington Business Grassroots Alliance. Her knowledge and experience working with small businesses and economic development would be a plus on the city council.
When it comes to top priorities, both candidates listed the need for affordable housing, smart development and infrastructure.
In this kind of tight match-up, our editorial board had to go beyond the resumes to make our recommendation.
During our interview, Perales mentioned more than once that he wants to “buck the status quo” and he also wants to “get rid of rubber-stamp representatives.”
He mentioned there needs to be more push-back by council members, and that they should speak up more.
Meanwhile, Torres repeatedly mentioned collaborating with others, building bridges and forming partnerships. She wants to bring the community together, saying there is “not an East Pasco or a West Pasco. There is one Pasco.”
There are three other Pasco City Council members up for re-election — Blanche Barajas, Peter Serrano and Craig Maloney. None drew a challenger this election, which seems to indicate that citizens aren’t upset with how the city is running right now.
Yet, Perales said it’s time for “a new generation of leadership.”
Perhaps the Pasco City Council could use a little shaking up, but a disruptive force isn’t necessary. There is a possibility his zeal would add tension where it isn’t needed.
Torres, on the other hand, shows a willingness to work with others that makes her our pick in this race. She strikes us as someone who will listen, but is not afraid to speak her mind.
Also in her favor, she has the endorsement of Pasco Mayor Saul Martinez, Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond and former Pasco Mayor Matt Watkins, who served 16 years on the city council and 10 at the helm.
Their confidence in Torres speaks volumes. She said she didn’t seek their support and that their endorsements came to her.
Perales is a solid candidate and should continue to look for opportunities to run for office in the future.
But in this race, the Tri-City Herald Editorial Board recommends Nikki Torres for Pasco City Council, Position 3.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREBehind Our Election Recommendations
Who decides the recommendations?
Members of The Tri-City Herald editorial board is comprised of experienced opinion journalists and community members, and is separate from The Herald’s newsroom. Conversations are on the record.
What does the recommendation process entail?
Whenever possible, The Herald editorial board meets with opposing candidates at the same time. The questions are largely focused on a candidate’s qualifications and goals. The editorial board then discusses the candidates in each race and decides who to recommend. Board members seek to reach a consensus on our recommendations, but not every decision is unanimous.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making recommendations, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues, their understanding of public policy and their ability to work with the current board . We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats.
Why are the editorials unsigned?
Our election recommendations reflect the collective views of The Herald’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. For the 2022 election, the board includes: Cecilia Rexus, Herald editorial writer; Laurie Williams, Herald executive editor; Jack Briggs, retired Herald publisher; Ken Robertson, retired Herald executive director; Matt Taylor, retired Herald editorial writer; Mike Paoli and Martin Valadez, community representatives.
This story was originally published October 12, 2021 at 1:25 AM.