Richland Recall Petitioner Not Ready to Pop Cork yet

Despite sizable leads in the vote tally, petitioners behind measures to recall three Richland School Board members aren't ready to celebrate just yet.

Both Benton and Franklin Counties this afternoon released the second count of ballots from the August 1st Primary Election. Around 2,500 votes were counted and there was little change in the measures to oust Audra Byrd, M. Semi Bird, and Kari Williams

Supporters of the recall say the trio knowingly violated the law when they voted to go mask optional during the pandemic.

Brian Brendel is one of the petitioners who brought up the legal part of the recall. He says the issue is not about the use of masks.

"It had everything to do with the violation of seizure related to the vote and violation of other processes and actions," Brendel said. "Any other topic with the same violations I would have had the same degree of concern and would have brought those concerns forward."

All three recall measures are getting about the 55% of the vote, well above the threshold to pass. Brendel says he didn't have any expectations before last night's vote tally.

"The recall process in the state of Washington is mature and well defined, although not exercised all that often. The bar for recall is set intentionally high to eliminate portions of a frivolous nature. However, due to the actions of these board members, that bar was easily cleared as determined by two separate courts, including the State Supreme Court." Brendel said.

And while the outcome looks promising for recall supporters, they understand anything can happen with thousands of votes still to count.

"It looks like a pretty good spread so far," Brendel added. "I haven't popped the cork out of any champagne bottles just yet. But statistically, the numbers do look favorable."

Here are the latest numbers from today's 4:00 release.

BENTON COUNTY

CITY OF PROSSER Mayor	Total Votes	Vote %
Gary Vegar	455	52.91%
Randy Taylor	238	27.67%
Harold Lewis	166	19.3%
WRITE-IN	1	0.12%

CITY OF RICHLAND Council Pos. 6
Marc Newman	2,816	25.25%
Kent Madsen	2,890	25.91%
Kurt H. Maier	5,378	48.22%
WRITE-IN	69	0.62%

PORT OF BENTON-DIST 2 Commissioner District 2
Christy Rasmussen	1,725	46.84%
Cliff Dyer	515	13.98%
Scott D. Keller	1,437	39.02%
WRITE-IN	6	0.16%

RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT 400 Director No. 3
Nino Kapitula	4,347	27.79%
Tony Gonzalez	2,872	18.36%
Chelsie Beck	8,324	53.21%
WRITE-IN	100	0.64%

RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT 400 Director No. 4
Kari Williams	4,285	27.37%
Aaron C. Riggs	3,755	23.99%
Katrina Waters	7,555	48.26%
WRITE-IN	59	0.38%

RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT 400 Director No. 5
Gene Nemeth	6,160	39.36%
Jill Oldson	8,825	56.38%
Matthew J. Bishop	595	3.8%
WRITE-IN	72	0.46%

RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT 400 Richland School District, Position 1 Recall
Recall Yes	8,751	55.42%
Recall No	7,039	44.58%

RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT 400 Richland School District, Position 3 Recall
Recall Yes	8,782	55.57%
Recall No	7,022	44.43%

RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT 400 Richland School District, Position 4 Recall
Recall Yes	8,624	54.58%
Recall No	7,177	45.42%