Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
New write-in candidate passes incumbent, almost overtakes Democrat
PASCO – In only about a month’s time, write-in candidate Steve Bauman has collected $16,000 in campaign funds in his bid for a Franklin County Commission seat.
Bauman, a Republican, is facing off against disavowed Republican Lowell “Brad” Peck and Democrat challenger Kim Lehrman for the District No. 1 seat.
Bauman registered as a write-in candidate on Sept. 4, according to state Public Disclosure Commission.
His candidacy came as the Republican Party declined to endorse incumbent Peck, who eked out a very narrow win in the Aug. 4 primary election over Lehrman and Republican Matt Beaton.
In barely a month, Bauman has contributions totaling $16,190, PDC records show.
Although Peck filed for office on May 11, he is only reporting a total of $1,591.69 in contributions.
Lehrman, whose campaign funds were reported last month by the Franklin Connection, now has a total of campaign warchest of $16,691.94; she filed for office May 10.
The Frankly County Republican Central Committee donated $1,000 to Bauman for his write-in campaign. Other $1,000 donors include Jessica Garcia of Yakima, Case VanderMeulen of Mesa, Rodney Mullen of Pasco, Suzanne Morrell of Kennewick, Coulee Flats Dairy of Mesa, Sharon DeRuyter of Pasco, Matthew Morrell of Kennewick, Mary Bauman of Pasco and Bauman himself.
Other top donors include Bailie Land Co. of Mesa, $600; Scott English of Pasco, Donna Heinen of Mesa, Kevin Heinen of Mesa, Brandie Castillo of Pasco, and Heladio Castillo of Pasco, all $500; Ronald Lucas of Steilacoom, $400; Air-Trac Inc. of Pasco, $300; Merle Booker of Connell, Mike Wieseler of Mesa, and Connell Sand and Gravel Inc. of Kahlotus, all $250; Joel Prantle of Pasco, $200; Trina Wieseler of Mesa, $150; and Hayes Farms of Mesa, Eric Freeman of Othello, Melvin hood of Mesa, George Dockstader of Pasco, Allinda Dockstader of Pasco, Charlotte Benjamin of Spokane Valley and Wes Wieseler of Mesa, all $100.
Bauman has several other contributors who donated less than $100.
Because of his recent filing as a write-in candidate, he has yet to report any expenditures.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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