Tri-Cities voters have 2 county leaders under investigation on their 2024 ballots

There’s only one competitive county-level race on ballots for the Aug. 6 primary, but voters can still use the primary as a chance to send a message to incumbents or show their preference for how they plan to vote in November.

A two-seat majority of both the Benton and Franklin county commissions will be on the ballot.

In the most competitive race, voters will get a say in who replaces former Franklin County Commissioner Brad Peck, after he stepped down at the beginning of the year.

Appointed incumbent Stephen Bauman faces two challengers to keep the seat. All three are listed as Republicans. The top two vote-getters will face off in the November general election.

In both Franklin County races, the incumbent is currently under investigation , though no charges have been filed.

Franklin commissioner District 1

Bauman was appointed to the District 1 seat in early January on the recommendation of the Franklin County Republican Party. He was one of three names put forward by the party.

Bauman, a developer, is still the county party’s chairman, according to the Washington State Republican Party’s local information.

He managed to steer clear of the criminal investigation the other two commissioners and county auditor have been caught up in, and cooperated with investigators.

Recently though he’s run into trouble after changing the locks to his office at the courthouse and refusing to provide a key to the sheriff’s office for emergency access.

Sheriff Jim Raymond says it’s a matter of public safety and his office is responsible for the security of the courthouse, but Bauman believes it’s a personal vendetta.

It’s unclear if he’ll face misdemeanor charges for that, but a Snohomish County deputy prosecutor is reviewing the case.

Raymond initially expressed interest in Peck’s commission seat, but stepped back and gave his support to Bauman last December.

In Buaman’s time on the board, he’s been a voice of moderation. He is known for asking questions and for seeking out more thorough information. That’s been reflected in his role on the Ben Franklin Transit board, as well.

While Bauman’s relationship with his fellow commissioners is always cordial and professional, he has not been a rubber stamp.

In his Voter’s Guide profile, Bauman says that his vision for Franklin County is “of a community thriving through responsible growth, fiscal accountability, and an enhanced quality of life.”

“I am committed to fostering a business-friendly environment, improving infrastructure, addressing concerns related to public safety, and managing the county’s budget responsibly,” Bauman wrote. “I will work to ensure every expenditure is allocated efficiently and benefits our community.”

Caleb Atkins

Caleb Atkins of Pasco is a high school math teacher at A.C. Davis High School in Yakima, according to the district’s website .

Atkins wrote that he has been heavily engaged in politics and political theory and now wants to serve as District 1 commissioner.

“I see that now is as good a time as ever for power to be placed back into the hands of the community. I seek to restore the proper Constitutional role of local governance and the power within,” Atkins wrote.

“As commissioner, I will stand up to the gross and economically illiterate agenda that plagues our state,” he continued. “Additionally, I’m running to protect the next generation from the anti-American ideology that incentivizes victimhood rather than initiative.”

“We must educate the public and directly oppose the mob on the utility of individual rights as being a safeguard predations upon liberty. The Franklin County Commissioners must use their points of leverage to pursue pro-Western and anti-conflict theory policies which foster economic growth, stability, and good living.”

Atkins told the Herald in an email that his priorities on the commission would be supporting law enforcement, planning for growth and driving economic development.

He said two areas of concern are the county’s looming budget crisis and spending on the HAPO Center.

“The principle is simple, we are not The Fed and we cannot print money and shouldn’t ask tax payers to fork over more when going to the grocery store is now luxury spending in some households,” Atkins said.

Paul L. Frenzel

Another District 1 challenge, Paul L. Frenzel, of Pasco, could not be reached by the Herald about his candidacy.

He did not fill out his state Voter Guide profile and no contact information was included in his candidate filing.

Franklin commissioner District 2

Republican incumbent Rocky Mullen faces a challenge from former Pasco Mayor Blanche Barajas, who is running as an independent.

Mullen is the current chairman of the Franklin County Commission and is seeking a second term.

His tenure on the board saw him form a new majority with Commissioner Clint Didier and the board devolved into frequent infighting .

In his time as a commissioner, Mullen has fought against state COVID mandates, pushed to reduce Ben Franklin Transit tax and supported the efforts that led to the in-progress Columbia Valley Center for Recovery.

He has also worked to review county finances and help begin to determine what hard measures the county will need to take in order to avoid a budget crisis .

He is currently under criminal investigation for allegedly trying to convince former County Administrator Mike Gonzalez to lie to investigators in order to end an investigation into an attempt to manipulate a payment to a HAPO Center contractor.

Mullen is being investigated on suspicion of official misconduct, witness tampering, criminal conspiracy and lying to investigators.

Records obtained by the Herald show that Mullen pressured Gonzalez to write a letter to the county’s legal advisors in order to convince them to drop the initial investigation, despite being warned against attempting to interfere.

A recorded interview with detectives show he later allegedly misled investigators and implied Gonzalez was being dishonest, which led Gonzalez to hand over a recording he secretly made because he believed he was going to be asked to commit a crime.

The investigation is being reviewed by the same special prosecutor from Snohomish County as Bauman’s case.

Blanche Barajas

City Councilwoman Blanche Barajas is a former mayor of Pasco .

She was first elected in 2018, became mayor pro tem in 2020 and mayor in 2022. After a new majority was elected to the council last fall, Pete Serrano was selected to take over as mayor.

She is the executive director of the nonprofit Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs.

“My vision for Franklin County is to embrace innovation, promote sustainable growth, and work with residents in our county,” she told the Herald in an email. “I am committed to improving the quality of life of our residents and we can all thrive in our diverse community.”

“My career in local politics has shown me the need for economic development while preserving natural resources,” Barajas continued. “My approach is transparent, inclusive, and collaborative, ensuring every voice is heard.”

She said she looks forward to being held accountable to the residents of Franklin County.

“I will prioritize public safety by ensuring we have a healthy court system that can prosecute criminals. I will work with staff to stabilize leadership and improve opportunity through job skills development and bring stability to the absolute chaos we have in Franklin County.”

Because it is a two-person race, both Barajas and Mullen will move on to the November ballot.

Benton commissioner District 1

Incumbent Jerome Delvin will face off against Jeff J. Smart, currently president of the Washington Association of Realtors. Both are Republicans.

Delvin was first elected to the Benton County Commission in 2012. Prior to that he was a state representative for the 8th District from 1993 to 2004 and state senator for the 8th District from 2004 to 2012.

The U.S. Army veteran is also a former Richland police officer.

Delvin wrote in his Voter’s Guide profile that he is running for reelection because he believes there’s still work to be done to make Benton County even better. He pointed to challenges with land use, energy, water and agriculture.

“As your county commissioner, Jerome’s priorities will be supporting county services vital to the citizens, such as the Center for Recovery, through a balanced and sustainable budget,” said the Voter’s Guide. “He will continue to develop and promote a friendly business climate, necessary for continued job growth.”

Jeff Smart

Smart is a well known Tri-Cities real estate agent, elected earlier this year to lead the state Realtors association.

He’s also served as the president of the Tri-Cities Association of Realtors, managed distance learning systems for Washington State University and has a background in information technology.

Smart wrote that he’s running for commissioner because Benton County is grappling with pressing issues.

“Strengthening our law enforcement is imperative, along with expanding job opportunities, business opportunities, and access to affordable housing,” he wrote. “Essential services must cater to the needs of every citizen, especially seniors, youth, and those with mental health concerns. Drawing from my rich experience, I pledge to listen, learn, lead, and take decisive action to address these challenges.”

Because it is a two-person race, both Delvin and Smart will move on to the November ballot.

Benton commissioner District 3

Incumbent Will McKay faces a challenge from fellow Republican Zach Fluharty.

McKay took office in 2020 and is seeking a second term. He’s a builder and the owner of W. McKay Construction Company. He’s the son of former Kennewick Mayor Bill McKay.

McKay wrote that he ran for the commission in 2020 because he wanted to change how business is done in Benton County and improve transparency.

“I also promised to make public health and safety a top priority, and that’s exactly what we have done,” McKay wrote.

“Over these past four years I’m proud to say, I have helped accomplish and upgrade court security system at the Justice Center,” he continued. “Started a complete and badly needed renovation of the Juvenile Justice Center. Constructed a new training center for our law enforcement officers and begun the overhaul of our canine control operations. Perhaps most notably, started the long and overdue work of getting a new regional behavior health facility up and running.”

McKay also serves as chairman of the boards for Ben Franklin Transit and the Benton Franklin Health District.

Zach Fluharty

Fluharty is a warehouse manager and small developer and has worked a variety of jobs, according to his Voter’s Guide profile.

“My goals are to serve the community by working against government overreach, to ensure taxes are limited to what is necessary to improve the lives of my constituents responsibly, to seek out opinions and concerns held by the community, to improve local government efficiency, and to increase revenue (through) smart planning and fiscal responsibility,” the guide said.

Fluharty has pledged to not accept any contributions while in office or vote on anything impacting properties he owns. He said the only properties he’s developed locally are homes he has personally lived in.

He wrote that because he does not have family members who hold high ranking positions in local government, these qualities make him better suited for the position.

Because it is a two-person race, both McKay and Fluharty will move on to the November ballot.

What’s not on the ballot?

Missing from the primary ballot is a race to replace a Superior Court judge who stepped down amid a Washington state judicial conduct review. That race will be decided in November because its a nonpartisan race with just two candidates.

Two well-known attorneys are running to replace Benton Franklin Superior Court Judge Sam Swanberg .

Swanberg was acquitted of a domestic abuse charge but stepped down earlier this year. The commission review of his conduct involving his ex-wife and a former girlfriend is ongoing.

Franklin County Prosecutor Shawn Sant and Kennewick schools attorney Bronson Brown are seeking to replace him.

Sant was first elected prosecutor in November 2010.

Brown is a current Benton Franklin Superior Court commissioner and legal counsel for the Kennewick School District. Court commissioners work under the supervision of a judge, and assume many of the same duties and powers to help ease caseloads.

Election day

Ballots were mailed last week. They must be postmarked by or dropped in an election drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Because mail collection time varies, officials recommend using a drop box instead of the mail within a week of the election.

New voters can register online through July 29 or can register in person with their county auditor’s office until 8 p.m. on election day.

Home insurance rates, response times threatened if Tri-Cities fire levies fail again