All three ports serving the Tri-Cities will welcome new faces on their commissions following the Nov. 4 general election.  

As of ballot counts on Nov. 7, 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 Tom Moak. Contreras received 57% of the votes to Kenfield’s 42%.  

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 was leading incumbent Roy Keck by 228 votes in the Nov. 7 tally. O’Neil collected 51% of the votes to Keck’s 49%. 

Benton County recorded voter turnout of more than 31%, with a projected 300 ballots remaining to count as of Nov. 7. 

Franklin County had 23% voter turnout and has 471 ballots left to count.   

Ballots will continue to be processed until certification of the election on Nov. 25.  

Among local measures that were on the ballot Nov. 4:  

• A measure to change Richland’s charter to create council districts failed, with 8,396 voters, or about 55%, rejecting it.  

• A proposal to renew a property tax levy to support programs and staffing in the Kiona-Benton City School District failed, with about 51% of voters rejecting it. The levy would have assessed $1.50 per $1,000 in assessed property value in 2026 and 2027.  

• A proposed levy lift for Franklin Fire District 1 passed  with more than 52% of voters in support. That levy will assess 85 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value for collection in 2026. 

Results of other races for city councils, school districts and other special districts are available at sos.wa.gov. 

4:11 p.m. 11/07/2025: This story was updated to reflect updated ballot results.