Hatcher Narrowly Edges Lattin for Benton County Sheriff, Plus Other Results

Interim Sheriff Jerry Hatcher won a close election over Sgt. Ken Lattin of the Kennewick police department in the August primary, to see who would take over as the leader of Benton County. And, the city council candidates have shaped up for the November General election.

According to the Benton County Auditor, about 18 percent of registered voters cast ballots. In the Kennewick, Richland and West Richland races, the top two vote getters will square off in the November general election.  Hatcher piled up 10,912 votes, while Lattin got 9,700, a margin of about 52% to 47.

• Kennewick City Council Position 2 Ward 2.  Gregory A. Jones (39%) will face Steve Lee (34%) in November. Shane Fast got 25%.
• Kennewick City Council Position 4 At Large.  Bill McKay (29%) will go against Christy Watts (28%).   Leo Perales and Ed Pacheco got 9 and 7 percent, while Austin Griffin got 3%.
• City of Richland Position 1.   Bob Thompson (35%) and Rhoda Williams (25%) will go in November.  Kalen M. Finn and Jess Monterey got 24 and 14 percent respectively.
• City of Richland Position 3.  Sandra Kent (34%) and Lloyd Becker (31%) move on, Shir Regev got 24.
• City of Richland Position 4. Ginger Wireman and Ryan Lukson will oppose each other in November, getting 43 and 42% of the vote. Michael Luzzo got 14.
• City of Richland Position 7.  Michael Alverez and Dori Luzzo Gilmour virtually tied with 40 percent, while Frank Boason and Eldon Eskeli got 10 and 8 percent.
• In the City of West Richland positions 1 and 6,  John E Smart and Robert Perkes will move on with 46 and 27 percent of the vote;  while in position 6, Frank Brink and Kate Moran were close with 39 and 38 percent.