All three of the ports serving the Tri-Cities will welcome new faces on their commissions following last night’s general election.
Raul Contreras, assistant director for the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, defeated Tammy Kenfield for a seat on the Port of Kennewick board previously held by longtime Commissioner Skip Novakovich. Contr received 56% of the votes to Kenfield’s 44%.
At the Port of Pasco, Matt Watkins, executive director for the Pasco Public Facilities District, was unopposed in his pursuit of the seat currently held by outgoing port commissioner Jean Ryckman. Hans Engelke, who was appointed to fill Jim Klindworth’s seat in early 2025, also ran unopposed and will remain on the port board.
At the Port of Benton, longtime port commissioner hopeful Bill O’Neil appeared to defeat incumbent Roy Keck. O’Neil collected 53% of the votes to Keck’s 47% in initial tallies.
Tuesday’s counts include all ballots received by mail and returned in official ballot drop boxes through Nov. 2.
Benton County recorded a voter turnout of nearly 15%, with a projected 25,000 ballots remaining to count.
Franklin County had nearly 17% voter turnout and has 30 ballots left to count.
Both counties’ auditor offices said updated vote counts will be posted the evening of Nov. 5. Ballots will continue to be processed until certification of the election on Nov. 25.
Among local measures that were on the ballot Tuesday:
- A measure to change Richland’s charter to create council districts was failing, with nearly 4,000 voters, or more than 56%, rejecting it.
- A proposed property tax levy to support programs and staffing in the Kiona-Benton City School District was failing, with 53.75% of voters rejecting it.
- A proposed levy lift for Franklin Fire District 1 was passing with more than 52% of voters in support.