Local offices to be decided on Nov. 4 ballot
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 2 weeks AGO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | November 1, 2025 3:39 PM
EPHRATA — Voters will be selecting people to fill a variety of local elected positions in Grant and Adams counties in tomorrow’s general election, everything from school boards to hospital district commissions to city councils. Most candidates are running unopposed, but some races attracted multiple candidates.
Moses Lake
Two of the four seats up for election on the Moses Lake City Council drew multiple candidates. Incumbent Deanna Martinez is being challenged by Jeremy Davis, and Joel Graves and Jim Perez are running for an open position; incumbent Judy Madewell did not file for reelection.
Two candidates filed for the Moses Lake School Board, but one announced in mid-October that she was leaving the race. Mike Nordsten and Lila Baker are on the ballot, but Baker announced in mid-October that she was leaving the race due to health reasons. Nordsten will replace Ryan Coulston, who decided not to run for reelection.
Ephrata
Steve Oliver is challenging incumbent Bruce Reim for the job of Ephrata mayor. Candidates for four council seats are running unopposed.
Quincy
Mayor Paul Worley and all three Quincy City Council members running for reelection drew challengers in 2025.
Worley will be challenged for his seat by Manny Rodriguez. Rob Madera is running against incumbent Jeff Spence for Position 2, and incumbent Andrew Royer is being challenged by Rey Esparza. Pete Shelton is running against incumbent Dave Dormaier.
Othello
Incumbent Mayor Shawn Logan drew a challenger, Ken Johnson, for the mayor’s job. Two candidates are running for an open seat on the Othello City Council and one council member is being challenged for her seat.
Alma Carmona and Oscar Lopez are running for the council position vacated by Corey Everett. Incumbent Genna Dorow is being challenged for that position by Kelli Camp.
One of the three Othello School Board races attracted two candidates. Juan “Jerry” Garcia and Birdie Fought are running for the seat vacated by Ken Johnson when he ran for mayor. Candidates for three other OSB seats are running unopposed.
Warden
One Warden School Board position attracted two candidates. Incumbent Shawn Clausen is being challenged by Ryan Arredondo. Two candidates for the Warden City Council are running unopposed.
Soap Lake
Soap Lake Mayor Peter Sharp is being challenged by a write-in candidate, current Soap Lake City Council member Karen Woodhouse. Two council candidates are running unopposed.
Rebecca Leavell and Mark Novik are running for one of two seats on the Soap Lake School Board. Incumbent Dwight Deines was eliminated in the August primary.
Mattawa
Wahluke School Board member Luke Jenne is running against challenger Elia Mendoza. Three Mattawa City Council candidates are running unopposed.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Newhouse to retire from Congress
WASHINGTON D.C. — Fourth District Representative Dan Newhouse has announced he will not seek reelection to the US Congress in 2026. The announcement was made Wednesday. “This decision comes with no reservations or remorse, only gratitude for the tremendous opportunity to have represented my home state in Congress,” the statement said.
Local legislators discuss 2026 session
MOSES LAKE — Washington 13th District legislators previewed what they see as the challenges of the upcoming 2026 session at a meeting with Moses Lake city officials and residents Tuesday. State Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake along with Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, outlined some of their plans and ideas as well as the major business of the 2026 legislative session. Warnick said the state faces some challenges.
Dorow appointed to Othello City Council
OTHELLO — Chris Dorow has been appointed to a vacant position on the Othello City Council. Dorow was appointed by unanimous vote after candidates for the seat were interviewed at the Dec. 8 council meeting. There was no discussion. Dorow replaces Denae Valdez, who resigned from the council in November. “We had seven members of the public apply for this position,” said Othello Mayor Shawn Logan.