Tri-Cities begin new decade with two new mayors, one incumbent

Pasco and Richland are beginning the new decade with new

mayors, while Kennewick opted to retain its veteran.

The three city councils each voted for a new mayor and

mayor pro tem at their first meetings in January.

The three cities have a council-manager form of

government. The councils elect mayors to serve two-year terms to run meetings

and represent them, but the mayors have no additional authority beyond being

elected members of their respective councils. 

West Richland has a strong mayor form of government,

meaning its mayor is directly elected by citizens. Brent Gerry is the

incumbent.

The Pasco council unanimously selected Councilman Saul

Martinez to serve as its mayor and tapped Blanche Barajas as mayor pro tem. It

is the first time Latinos have served as either mayor or mayor pro tem in

Pasco. 

Richland’s new mayor is Ryan Lukson, a civil deputy

prosecutor for Benton County who was elected to the council two years ago.

Lukson defeated Councilman Terry Christensen for the mayor role.

Former Mayor Bob Thompson, who was elected to a two-year

council term in November, said he would no longer continue as either mayor or

mayor pro tem. 

Councilwoman Sandra Kent succeeds Christensen as

Richland’s new mayor pro tem.

The Kennewick City Council voted 4-3 to retain Don Britain

as mayor for another two years over newly elected Councilman Chuck Torelli.

Steve Lee will continue as mayor pro tem.