MOSES LAKE — Candidates for Grant County auditor, assessor, superior court judge and Public Utility District commissioner shared their qualifications and priorities Monday during a candidate forum hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. 

The event gave voters a chance to hear directly from candidates ahead of the November general election. Candidates discussed topics ranging from government transparency and property assessments to constitutional law and utility governance. 

This is the third and final part of the forum coverage. To read about legislators and the Fourth Congressional District candidate race visit: bit.ly/CBHCongressandLeg. To read about the sheriff and commissioner races visit: bit.ly/CBHSheriffandCom. To watch the full forum visit: bit.ly/MosesLakeChamberForum.

Ballots are set to be mailed out this week and must be postmarked or placed in an official ballot drop box by Nov. 3. Voters can verify their registration status and find election information at VoteWa.gov. Grant County voters with questions can also contact their county elections office at 509-754-2011 ext. 2704. 

Auditor race 

Republican candidates Darci Homesley and Shannon Falstad each told voters their experience working with county finances and government operations has prepared them to lead the Grant County Auditor's Office. 

Homesley, who has more than 35 years of experience in accounting, budgeting and financial management, said the office's accounting division would be her top priority if elected. She said there have been delays in providing needed financial information to agencies throughout Grant County, making budgeting and expenditure tracking more difficult. 

"My greatest concern within the auditor's office is the accounting department," Homesley said. "County departments and outside agencies have experienced challenges receiving timely financial information." 

Homesley said improving communication, strengthening procedures and supporting employees would help restore efficiency. She also called for greater transparency in elections and county government. 

"Strong leadership isn't about having all the answers," Homesley said. "It's about asking the right questions, making informed decisions and being willing to address problems as they arise." 

She said voters want a county government that is accountable, responsive and efficient and pledged to bring a hands-on management style to the office. 

Republican challenger Shannon Falstad pointed to her 30 years of county government experience, including 20 years in the auditor's office and 10 years in the clerk's office. Falstad is serving as the appointed incumbent auditor after Michelle Jaderlund stepped down June 20.  

"I've developed great relationships amongst all those departments and information staff," Falstad said, adding that communication and teamwork are essential to the office's success. 

Falstad said one of the office's largest ongoing challenges is the implementation of a new accounting software system while employees continue handling day-to-day operations. She said the transition creates opportunities to improve efficiency and modernize procedures. 

Regarding elections, Falstad said the established safeguards are already in place to protect the integrity of the process. 

"We do have chain-of-custody procedures that we follow when we go pick up ballots and bring them back," she said. 

Falstad said she would assess workflows, seek employee feedback and identify opportunities for improvement while maintaining the public's confidence in county services and elections. 

Assessor race 

Grant County Assessor candidates Clayton Johnson and Anson Bartrand each told voters they would focus on transparency and service to taxpayers, but pointed to different experiences and priorities during the forum. 

Johnson, who has spent nine years working in the assessor's office and currently serves as a sales analyst, said his experience with property valuation and county assessment procedures makes him prepared to lead the office immediately, instead of someone who may need to be trained on the processes. He said property owners deserve clear explanations about how assessments are determined and pledged to improve consistency and accountability. 

"I am not running against the assessor's office. I am running to make it better," Johnson said. 

Johnson said state law requires property to be assessed at 100% of its market value. As home prices rise, assessed values often increase as well. 

"The reason that you're seeing your property valuation increase is because the market for homes is increasing," he said. 

In his closing remarks, Johnson emphasized his nonpartisan approach and argued the office needs experienced leadership. "The assessor's office is at an important crossroads," Johnson said. "It's more important than ever that we elect an assessor that can hit the ground running rather than one who needs years of training." 

Bartrand, chief financial officer of a land investment and management company, said his private-sector background would bring a taxpayer-focused approach to the office. He said the assessor's office should prioritize fairness, transparency and fiscal responsibility while remaining accessible to residents throughout the county. 

"The three pillars of my campaign are fairness, transparency and fiscal responsibility," Bartrand said. 

Bartrand said the office should conduct outreach beyond Ephrata, including town halls in communities such as Moses Lake and Mattawa, to help residents better understand assessments and available programs. 

"The assessor's office shouldn't become so reclusive that it can't reach out to communities," he said. 

In his closing statement, Bartrand talked about the importance of protecting private property rights and maintaining humility in government service. 

"The assessor's office is not always right, and we need to be able to acknowledge that and work with taxpayers to determine the best possible outcome," he said. 

Superior Court judge race 

Candidates Trevor Bevier and Kenneth "Ken" Chadwick presented voters with two different legal backgrounds and judicial philosophies in their race for Grant County Superior Court judge. 

Bevier, a Grant County deputy prosecuting attorney, talked about his broad legal experience in both private practice and public service. A graduate of Ephrata High School, Bevier said he has spent nearly 14 years handling cases ranging from family law and criminal matters to real estate, probate and civil litigation. 

"I've sat in every chair that is going to be before a superior court judge, whether it's prosecution, defense, plaintiff, defendant," Bevier said. 

Asked about judicial temperament, Bevier described himself as methodical and even-keeled, emphasizing the importance of carefully listening to parties before making decisions. 

"My approach to the bench is simple: listen intently, treat everyone with respect, apply the law consistently and render decisions efficiently," he said. 

Bevier said litigants deserve to feel heard and respected throughout the court process. 

"If parties come before the court, it's important to them, and they feel like they've been heard by the court and given a fair shake," he said. 

Chadwick, a longtime attorney and former police officer, said he centered his campaign on constitutional protections and individual rights. Chadwick said he has nearly 24 years of legal experience and has served as a pro tempore judge in Grant County Superior Court and as a court-appointed arbitrator. 

"The Constitution should drive everything a judge does," Chadwick said. "I have an originalist constitutional perspective of the law." 

When asked how a judge balances the rights of victims, defendants and the public, Chadwick said the Constitution provides the framework for those decisions and serves as a safeguard against government overreach. 

"The Constitution protects people from the government. It's not the other way around," he said. 

Chadwick said his career has been dedicated to representing individuals rather than government entities. 

"I've always worked for people," he said. "I don't have allegiances to the government because I don't work for the government. I work for the people." 

PUD commissioner race 

Incumbent Larry Schaapman and write-in candidate Jacque Rasmussen offered voters contrasting backgrounds and priorities in the race for Grant County Public Utility District commissioner for District 3. 

Schaapman, who has served on the PUD commission for 14 years, pointed to decades of leadership experience in agriculture and cooperative organizations as qualifications for another term. The Quincy resident said managing growth, controlling costs and protecting ratepayers remain top priorities for the utility. 

"It's been a joy to serve you and a privilege," Schaapman said. 

During the forum, Schaapman talked about financial decisions made during his tenure, including refinancing debt and limiting rate increases. He said those actions helped stabilize costs for customers while allowing the utility to continue investing in infrastructure. 

"We actually took our rates down to zero increase for about three or four years," he said. 

In his closing remarks, Schaapman said his focus on protecting residential customers as industrial growth continues across Grant County. 

"I have been a real advocate for protecting our core customers," he said.  

Rasmussen, a retired Quincy educator, said her 35-year teaching career and extensive community involvement have prepared her to serve ratepayers on the commission. She told voters she would bring collaboration, accountability and a willingness to ask difficult questions to the position. 

"I may not have years of experience as a PUD commissioner, but I bring 35 years of experience as an educator, a lifetime of community involvement and a willingness to listen," Rasmussen said. 

Rasmussen said she decided to enter the race after seeing how PUD decisions can affect families and property owners. She said she would prioritize transparency and ensure customers have a stronger voice in the utility's decision-making process. 

"I want to be a voice for the people, someone who listens to ratepayers and stands up for their interests," she said. 

Rasmussen also talked about the importance of reliable and affordable power while protecting private property rights. 

"Our PUD belongs to the people it serves, and those people deserve a seat at the table," she said.