SOAP LAKE – Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess administered the oath of office to Mayor Peter Sharp on Wednesday. Sharp was previously appointed to this role at the Sept. 18, 2024, council meeting after his predecessor Allen DuPay quit during the Aug. 7, 2024, meeting.  

“I’m honored. I’m very excited,” Sharp said. “I was elected as a council member, appointed as mayor and now that I am an elected mayor, I look forward to fighting for Soap Lake. There have been people in the past that have not been fair to our community, and I want to make that right.”  

Sharp then sought re-election during the 2025 general election for a two-year unexpired term. He ran against write-in candidate Karen Woodhouse, winning the race with 206 votes, or around 53% of the vote.  

There were 186 write-in votes. If there had been more write-in votes than votes for the listed candidate, individual tallies would be completed. However, since Sharp received more votes than there were write-in votes, officials do not tally the individual write-in candidates, according to the Washington Secretary of State’s website.  

“People say it’s only 20 votes, but 20 is a lot, and it’s still a majority,” Sharp said. “I appreciate everyone that did vote for me and I appreciated the people that didn’t vote for me because at least they are standing up for what they believe in. I look forward to working these next two years to prove to the rest of the people that I am a great fit for being the mayor of the City of Soap Lake.” 

Woodhouse is currently a council member; however, Andrew Arnold will be filling her position at the beginning of the year. The council reduced itself to five members from seven earlier in 2025. Those serving in 2026 include Susan Carson, John Carlson, Judith Gorman, Arnold and Kayleen Bryson.  

Sharp said he has a clear vision for his term, one rooted in financial stability and community unity.  

“I look forward to working in these next two years to prove to the rest of the people that I am a great fit for being the mayor of this city,” he said.  

The newly elected mayor said his ties to Soap Lake are not rooted in personal interests but rather in a commitment to serve the community.  

“I have no vested interest in Soap Lake. I don’t have any other family here. There has to be a reason why I’m here,” he said. “The reason is I love this community and the people in it.”  

Sharp said he considers the best aspect of Soap Lake to be its people.  

“The people… you can meet people from every walk of life, but no matter what, and you can disagree with them, you still find common ground because you love Soap Lake,” he said.  

According to Sharp, it is the community’s spirit that gives the town its identity, transcending political affiliations and differences. 

Pledging to address the pressing concerns of his constituents, Sharp outlined three primary goals for his administration.  

“To continue being financially resilient… we have a game plan set up for the next handful of years, as long as we stay on track,” he said.  

He also said there is a need to enhance community services as a means of financial relief for residents.  

“We need to get the passport center open and running because it’s revenue,” Sharp said. “We need to get sustainable revenue, so then we can take the burden off the taxes for the citizens.” 

In addition to fiscal goals, Sharp expressed his desire to leave a lasting impression on Soap Lake, one characterized by restored trust and community cohesion.  

“We have a bad taste; a bad past of things not being done right. If we can prove that things are being done right and build trust back in the community, I think everyone will be on board,” he said. 

As Sharp prepares to take on the challenges of his new office, he addresses how he plans to manage conflicts that may arise throughout his term.  

“With facts,” he said. 

He said it is important to consult with professionals before making decisions, ensuring that his actions are grounded in legal and ethical guidelines.  

“I will always ask for information from our city attorney… as well as AWC,” he said.  

Providing a platform for community engagement, Sharp outlined ways for residents to share their concerns or questions.  

“They can either call me, and they can call my city cell phone at 509-390-1776, email me at [email protected] or they can go on the city’s website and there is a form they can fill out to contact me,” Sharp said.  

    Mayor Peter Sharp, center, was elected by voters during the 2025 General Election, receiving around 53% of the vote, or 206 votes. He has been previously appointed by the Soap Lake City Council during a Sept. 2024 meeting. City Clerk Jody Siebert, left, has both Sharp and County Commissioner Kevin Burgess, right, sign Sharp’s oath of office.