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Tumbleweird asked candidates in the 2026 midterms (who are not running unopposed) three questions. Everyone was given the same questions. We have not edited the content of the responses in any way. More information can be found about candidates at tricitiesvote.com.
Note: This online article contains candidate responses that we received after our print deadline had already passed.
Brad Klippert
Benton County Sheriff
Why did you originally choose to run for office?
I am running for Benton County Sheriff because many of my fellow Benton County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Detectives, former Deputies, former Detectives, and former Supervisors came to me on many different occasions, in many different settings, and in several different manners and asked ME to run to be the next elected Benton County Sheriff. The four reasons I heard the most from them as to why they wanted me to run for and be the next Benton County Sheriff were they wanted: 1. “A return of Integrity to the Benton County SHERIFF’S office,” 2. “A return of Morality to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office,” 3. “A Sheriff who knows how to be a true Servant Leader,” and 4. “Mike is really not a very nice guy.”
What are the three most important things you want to do if you are elected?
If elected as the next Benton County Sheriff three of my highest priorities will be: 1. Return trust and integrity to the person and title of the Benton County Sheriff. Throughout this campaign I have been told over and over again that many of the employees of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office are afraid to share their true feelings for fear of retaliation by the current Sheriff (and Administration). In the 2026 Benton County Primary Voter’s Guide under the heading of “Elected Experience” Mike Clark listed “Current position Benton County Sheriff.” To the best of my knowledge Mike Clark has never served in an elected office. At best this is deceptive to the public / the people he intends to serve as Sheriff. Mike was “appointed” to the position of Sheriff by the 3-person Benton County Commission, not elected by the people. On his campaign website Mike Clark said he was endorsed by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Clerks. We asked multiple Clerks if this was true. Not one Clerk said, Yes, we the Clerks voted to endorse Mike Clark as the next Benton County Sheriff. We were told by individuals associated the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Clerks, “This (at best) this is misleading,” or it could actually be called a straight up lie. Mike was asked to remove this endorsement by the Clerks from his website and he did so. The people of Benton County, WA, deserve a Sheriff who can be trusted to be: truthful, not deceptive or misleading and one who does not lead by fear and intimidation.
2. Drastically decrease the property crime rate in Benton County. Benton County’s property crime rate is significantly above the national crime rate norm and must be reduced. People have a right to feel safe and secure in their homes and their property. We can do better!
3. As long as there is one child sexually exploited or trafficked in Benton County, this is unacceptable. WE must always strive to do everything we can to make sure that not a single child is sexually exploited, abused or trafficked in Benton County, WA.
Imagine a world in which elected officials always do the right thing. How would that world differ from our own?
That world would not differ from my own. In my 15 years of elected public service I have always tried to do the right thing. Once in Olympia, when I was asked to take a vote for the sake of the caucus and our bargaining ability with the majority caucus, I felt dirty inside and swore to myself to never do that again. I learned my lesson then and now always try to do, “The Right Thing,” every time. I have been the lone no vote on the floor of the WA State House of Representatives multiple times and have since been the lone no vote on the Kennewick City Council!
Carmela Conroy
U.S. House, Washington’s 5th Congressional District
Why did you originally choose to run for office?
I’m a third-generation Eastern Washingtonian, born and raised right here in the Fifth district. My grandfather worked concrete at Grand Coulee Dam, and my dad worked on the family ranch before he became a union railroader. They taught me to show up for our neighbors and the value of hard work in a community like ours.
When I retired from public service and came home for good, I saw Eastern Washington getting shortchanged. Housing, childcare, and prescription costs keep climbing. Rural hospitals are struggling to stay open. Veterans coming home and not receiving the care they need and are entitled to. Young people can’t afford to stay near their family. Our representative picks fights instead of solving problems. I’m running because the Fifth deserves someone who shows up, listens, and does the work.
What are the three most important things you want to do if you are elected?
My top 3 priorities when elected to Congress will be to lower costs by ending the war with Iran and reigning in tariffs that hurt consumers, family farmers, and other businesses; saving rural hospitals and improving access to low-cost, high-quality healthcare; and holding our leaders accountable.
Imagine a world in which elected officials always do the right thing. How would that world differ from our own?
In a world where elected officials always do the right thing, government would work for the people it represents, not for special interests or political parties. Families would have confidence that their leaders were focused on lowering costs, protecting their communities, and more problem-solving, less politics.
Chris Hollingsworth
Franklin County Assessor
Why did you originally choose to run for office?
My decision to run for Franklin County Assessor was actually a difficult one to make. I had a lot of people encouraging me to run, and I was dragging my heels in the ground for a couple of years. I have a very successful appraisal practice which I can control my work volume, who I choose to work with, and stress load. After seeing first-hand the impact to Franklin County residents by erratic property valuations, I decided if an appraiser of over 20 years could not fix this problem, who could, so I decided to run for office. My decision was supported by the many industry professionals as well as current elected officials in Franklin County.
What are the three most important things you want to do if you are elected?
The three most important things I want to bring to the Assessor's office are transparency, service, and confidence in the assessor's position.
I will bring transparency back to the office by communicating with the residents of Franklin County about the process and reasoning as to why their assessment is at the assessed value. I would invite residents to my office to have a conversation with them to hear their concerns and show them the "why and how." What I have been assuring people while canvassing neighborhoods is that I when I sit down with property owners, somebody is going to walk away with a better understanding about their property; either I / the assessor's office will learn more about their property or the owners will see what sales were used to support their valuation. Either way, there is a level of communication that is desperately needed in that office that is not currently being provided to our residents.
One of the biggest complaints and frustrations I hear from Franklin County residents is the process of appealing property assessments. Currently, if you have a concern about your assessment, the protocol from the office is to advise the owner to file an appeal with the Board of Equalization. While this is the right of every owner, being instructed to go directly to the B of E discourages a large majority of owners from appealing the value. If that does not discourage a property owner, the process to file an appeal may discourage the owner. To file an appeal you need to provide an appraisal, which costs the owner money, a comparative market analysis from the Realtor, or if you're savvy, comparable sales to support your reasoning as to why you're over assessed. All of this to then possibly get a stipulated value lowering your assessed value. This is not a public service! I will hear the property owners when they come in or call the office. After 20+ years of appraising, I can pull comparable sales on most properties in less than 5 minutes. We will then go over these sales and if, after that discussion, they are still unsatisfied with the value and reasoning, they would then proceed to the B of E if we can't come to an understanding. In short, the B of E is the last resort, not the first.
I am confident that if the first two topics are fulfilled, the confidence that in the assessor's office, that has been missed since Steve Marks retirement, will return. There is a lot of misinformation out there about the assessor being able to tax as much as they want / can. The assessor does not tax anyone; they only set the tax / millage rate, which is derived from the total assessed values and the dollar amount that has to be collected. Every dollar that is collected has a name and place, meaning there is a taxing district that has a budget that was passed by the City Council, County Commissioners, State Legislature, and voters. I understand that nobody likes to pay taxes, and they are getting higher and higher every year, but knowing that you are only paying your share of the taxes will be reassuring. That is the confidence that I will bring back to the Assessor's office.
Imagine a world in which elected officials always do the right thing. How would that world differ from our own?
Your last question is an interesting one. I strive to always do the right thing even if doing the right thing is harder, takes longer, or involves admitting you were wrong. I feel that there is a level of frustration from the voters towards a lot of elected officials. To me, it feels that some have forgotten that they are there to serve the public, regardless of political ideology. The position each elected has is on loan from the public who put them there and that their position belongs to the public. They are there to give their services to the community and not there to see what the community can give them in return. In short, transparency and service over self-interest. We would have less division in our county if more elected officials lived by that.
Chris Lee
Franklin County Sheriff
Why did you originally choose to run for office?
Initially, I believed God was calling me to run for the Legislature to be a reasonable and logical voice in addressing policies coming out of Olympia that have increasingly tied the hands of law enforcement and made our communities less safe. Through prayer, counsel, and reflection, however, it became clear that my calling was not to write the laws, but to lead the people entrusted with enforcing them. That is what ultimately led me to run for Sheriff.
I am running for Franklin County Sheriff because I am deeply committed to keeping our communities safe and building a Sheriff’s Office rooted in integrity, accountability, and exceptional leadership. My purpose is to serve and protect the people of Franklin County with honesty, transparency, and decision-making they can trust.
I envision a Sheriff’s Office that is an active partner with our communities; one that relentlessly pursues justice, advocates for victims, supports deputies with the tools and resources they need to succeed, and works collaboratively to solve problems before they become crises.
As Sheriff, I will faithfully uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Washington, enforce the law fairly and impartially, and be a reasonable and logical voice for public safety. I will work to build a culture centered on courage, integrity, humility, selflessness, positivity, and duty.
Success will not be measured by my title. It will be measured by whether Franklin County has a Sheriff’s Office that the public trusts, deputies are proud to serve in, victims know will stand beside them, and communities are safer because of the leadership we have provided.
What are the three most important things you want to do if you are elected?
1. Strengthen Leadership, Professionalism, and Accountability
I will work to ensure the Sheriff’s Office operates with transparency, professionalism, and accountability at every level. Strong leadership sets the tone for the entire organization, and I believe employees perform best when expectations are clear; ethical standards are upheld, and they are provided with the training, resources, and leadership necessary to succeed.
2. Support Deputies and Improve Recruitment and Retention
Law enforcement agencies across the country are facing significant staffing challenges. I will prioritize recruiting and retaining high-quality deputies and staff by fostering a positive organizational culture, investing in training and professional development, and ensuring employees have the tools, resources, and support necessary to succeed.
3. Enhance Partnerships and Public Safety
Public safety works best when law enforcement and the community work together. I will continue building strong relationships with residents, schools, businesses, fire and EMS agencies, local governments, community organizations, and regional partners to proactively address crime, improve communication, solve problems, and maintain public trust.
Imagine a world in which elected officials always do the right thing. How would that world differ from our own?
To answer that question, we first have to recognize that people will not always agree on what the “right thing” is. One of the things that makes this country great is our ability to hold differing, and sometimes opposing views. What matters is how we navigate those differences. We should be able to disagree civilly and respectfully while continuing to see one another as people rather than political opponents.
A world in which elected officials always did the right thing would be one where decisions were guided by principle, service, and the public good rather than personal or political gain. It would not be a world without disagreement; it would be one where disagreement did not prevent people from working together.
In the end, I can only control my own conduct. My responsibility is to lead through my character and actions, treat others with dignity and respect, and hopefully have a positive influence on those around me. If each of us, elected officials, and citizens alike, approached our responsibilities that way, I believe our communities would be stronger for it.
Eric Eisinger
Benton County Prosecuting Attorney
Why did you originally choose to run for office?
I am running for reelection because I love Benton County and I believe this county has a bright future. As the prosecuting attorney, I have a unique opportunity to do justice, hold offenders accountable, support crime victims, and advocate for the interests of our community. Great communities don't just happen. They must be protected. I am honored to play a key role in shaping a safe and thriving community.
What are the three most important things you want to do if you are elected?
I will enforce the law and hold criminal offenders accountable for their conduct. I will support crime victims, and I will work with others to promote the welfare of the Tri-Cities and Benton County.
Imagine a world in which elected officials always do the right thing. How would that world differ from our own?
Elected officials are public servants. The call of the public servant is to serve the people and always do the right thing. When our leaders act with integrity and truth, their focus is on meeting the needs of the public, not advancing their own interests. Those who lead with integrity are more interested in getting it right for the people than always being right. Their focus is on connecting with others, rather than creating barriers and separation, to carry out the mission of public service.
Gabe Galbraith
Washington State Senate District 8
Why did you originally choose to run for office?
I got tired of sitting on the sidelines and complaining about decisions that affected my family and my community. At some point, I realized if I thought things could be done better, I needed to be willing to step up and do the work myself.
That’s what led me to the school board, and honestly, it’s a big part of why I’m running for the State Senate. This is home. My wife and I raised our family here. I care about what this community looks like five, ten, twenty years from now, and I want to have a hand in making it better.
What are the three most important things you want to do if you are elected?
First, make life more affordable. I talk to people all the time who are doing everything right and still feel like they’re falling behind. Groceries, housing, utilities, gas, taxes — it all adds up. Olympia needs to remember that every time the government adds another cost, a real person has to pay it.
Second, focus on strong schools and safe communities. Kids need a great education that prepares them for whatever comes next, whether that’s college, the trades, the military, or going straight to work. And families deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods.
Third, accountability. Government is spending other people’s money, and I think sometimes elected officials forget that. People deserve to know where their money is going, why decisions are being made and who is responsible when something goes wrong.
Imagine a world in which elected officials always do the right thing. How would that world differ from our own?
There’d probably be a lot less politics.
I don’t think doing the right thing means everybody agrees with you. Sometimes you make a decision and half the room isn’t happy about it. That comes with the job.
But imagine if elected officials could just say, “I was wrong,” when they were wrong. Or give someone from the other party credit for a good idea. Or make a tough decision without first wondering how it will play in the next election.
I’ve learned that public office really isn’t supposed to be about the person sitting in the chair. The chair belongs to the people. I think government would look a lot different if everyone remembered that.
John Duresky
U.S. House, Washington’s 5th Congressional District
Why did you originally choose to run for office?
I chose to run after getting the infamous Fork in the Road email. I didn't respond to that, but I did take early retirement as a result of the ‘DOGE’ cuts. The day after I signed, I was listening to a podcast, The Next Level. Sarah Longwell said, “It’s really driven when people feel personally like they cannot sit on the sidelines. Because things are so crazy they feel like they have to get in the game.” That was it, I started the next day.
What are the three most important things you want to do if you are elected?
Immediate fixes to the Affordability Crisis, real relief for working people, immediate fixes to the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid/Medicare, and protecting rural hospitals. Finally, get ICE out of our communities.
Imagine a world in which elected officials always do the right thing. How would that world differ from our own?
Look, this is always going to be difficult; humans are flawed, elected officials will NOT always do the right thing. That is why having a functioning system of checks and balances is so important. In this imagined world, elected officials would prioritize what is right for their constituents first, then for the country. Partisan politics would not be in this imagined world.
Kyle Palmer
Legislative District 16
Why did you originally choose to run for office?
Honestly, I ran because I didn’t want to see this seat go uncontested. But the more I got into it, the more I wanted to actually have these conversations.
Politics has turned into a team sport. Everyone’s pushed toward the loudest, most extreme version of their side, and there’s no room left to just solve the problem in front of you. I want to focus on what’s actually solvable and make government useful again to people dealing with real stuff, not just win arguments.
What are the three most important things you want to do if you are elected?
- Make it easier to build a life here. It shouldn’t be this hard to buy a home, raise a family, find childcare, or keep up with the bills. People feel this every month; that’s where I want to spend my energy.
- Make sure growth actually benefits the people who live here. Data centers and big developments bring investment, but they also eat up power, water, land, infrastructure. We shouldn’t be handing over our resources for pennies on the dollar while families pay more for housing and utilities. If it’s coming here, our communities need a real seat at the table, and a clear benefit, not just a promise.
- Make government work. I’m done with politics being about who yells loudest or who can block the other guy. Fix what’s broken, keep what works, move on.
Imagine a world in which elected officials always do the right thing. How would that world differ from our own?
I don’t think we’d all agree more. The difference is we’d stop treating it like your team versus my team.
Right now, the goal is often just making sure the other side loses. I’d rather ask: Does this fix the problem? Does it make life better for the people who live here?
We’d still disagree plenty. We’d just spend a lot more time solving things instead of scoring points.
You can follow me on Instagram: @PalmerWa16th
Nikki Torres
Washington State Senate District 8
Why did you originally choose to run for office?
I chose to run for office because I believe public service should be grounded in listening, showing up and solving real problems for people. Too often, residents feel that decisions are made in the dark or that government only becomes visible when something has gone wrong. I wanted to bring a practical, community centered voice to the table. I want to represent my community as someone who understands the needs of working families, small businesses, schools, seniors, Veterans, IDD community, and the people who keep our communities running. I ran because I care deeply about this community where I have lived my entire life and where I have raised my daughters and am watching my grandchildren grow and thrive.
I believe we need elected officials who are willing to do the work of finding solutions. For me, holding office is not about a title. It is about earning trust, being present in the community, and making sure the concerns of the people I represent are heard and acted upon.
What are the three most important things you want to do if you are elected?
1. Protect affordability and economic opportunity.
People should be able to afford to live, work, raise a family, and retire in the communities they call home. I want to focus on practical policies that support family wage jobs, local employers, workforce training, reliable infrastructure, and responsible growth, while keeping taxes and the cost of living in mind.
2. Strengthen public safety and community well-being.
Families deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, schools and businesses. That means supporting law enforcement and first responders. That means addressing behavioral health issues and substance use issues. I also think it’s important to focus on prevention so problems are addressed before they become crises.
3. Deliver accountable, responsive government.
Residents deserve to know that their elected officials are listening and using public resources responsibly. I will prioritize transparency and constituent service, I will support policies that are measurable and effective, not simply ideas that sound good in a press release. Government works best when it stays connected to the people it serves.
Imagine a world in which elected officials always do the right thing. How would that world differ from our own?
In that world, people would have more trust in government because they would know every decision was made with the public’s best interest, not political pressure, personal ambition, or short-term headlines in mind.
Elected officials would spend less time attacking one another and more time listening, learning and working through difficult issues honestly. They would admit when they were wrong, explain their decisions clearly, and put long term community needs ahead of partisan advantage.
My view of public service is shaped by that ideal, even though real life is more complicated. The ‘right thing’ is not always obvious, and reasonable people can disagree. But officials can still act with integrity, listen carefully, rely on facts, treat people with respect, be transparent, and remain accountable for the results.
That is the standard I will hold myself to, doing the work openly, putting people before politics, and making decisions I can explain.
Learn more about your candidates at https://tricitiesvote.com.
