Warden general election update
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 2 weeks AGO
Six of the seven Warden elections were unopposed this year, except for one school board race. The races included: two city council positions, four school board positions and one cemetery board position.
FILE PHOTO
Shawn Clausen is leading the polls for the Warden School Board in position five. As of Nov. 5, ballot counts; he is in the lead with 153 votes. Ryan Arredondo has 36 votes.
WARDEN – Most of the Warden races this year were unopposed, except Warden School board position number five between Shawn Clausen and Ryan Arredondo. As of the Nov. 5 ballot counts, Clausen is in the lead with 153 votes. Arredondo has 36 votes.
The general election will not be certified until Nov. 20; the Grant County Auditor estimates around 4,600 ballots left to count.
School District
Four of five school board candidates were up for re-election; only one race was opposed.
Warden School Board member Shane Cox, representing District One, received 173 votes. There were three write-in votes. Cox is the board chairperson.
Warden School Board member Tiffany Hymas, representing District Two, received 172 votes. There were three write-in votes. Hymas serves as the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association representative for the board.
Warden School Board member Bryce Cox, at large, received 172 votes. There were two write-in votes. Cox serves as the legislative representative.
City Council
Council member Agapito “Speedy” Gonzalez is seeking re-election for council member two; he received 60 votes and there were two write-in votes. Gonzalez was appointed Feb. 25, 2025.
Council member Omar Pruneda for council member three; he received 53 votes, and there was one write-in vote. Pruneda was appointed in Jan 2018 and re-elected in 2020.
Cemetery
William Erickson ran for Warden Cemetery Commissioner 2, receiving 178 votes. There were two write-in votes.
Shawn Clausen is leading the polls for the Warden School Board in position five. As of Nov. 5, ballot counts; he is in the lead with 153 votes. Ryan Arredondo has 36 votes.ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Grant County Sheriff candidates discuss transparency, trust
EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to submit their primary ballots, three candidates are vying for the position as Grant County Sheriff including incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond.
Grant County Commissioner candidates deliberate fiscal responsibility, budgeting
EPHRATA — Four Republicans are seeking election to Grant County Commissioner Position 3 in the upcoming primary: Shannon Durfee, Kelly Raap, Seth Weeks and Janice Flynn. To give voters a clear comparison of the candidates' positions and priorities, each was asked the same set of questions and provided the same deadline to respond. Durfee, Raap and Flynn submitted responses by the deadline; Weeks did not respond.
Sheriff candidates discuss staffing, retention
EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to select their next sheriff, incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond. This installment focuses on one of the most pressing challenges facing law enforcement agencies: recruiting, retaining and supporting qualified staff within the Grant County Sheriff's Office.