OPINION - 2023 Yakima Election Endorsements
The Yakima County Republican Party has finally made endorsements. The RED Editorial Team offers its opinions.
These are the candidates recently endorsed by the Yakima County Republican Party. A brief opinion offered by the RED Editorial Team is included with each of the endorsements.
City of Yakima
District 1 – Leo Roy
In RED’s opinion, Roy has this major distinctive: He is NOT the alleged racist Dulce Gutierrez. Roy bootstrapped his small business and has earned a reputation as an extremely hard worker. He wants to keep free parking downtown. We like that. Yakima’s downtown needs free and safe parking.
Visit Leo's campaign here.
District 3 – Patricia Byers
In RED’s opinion, Byers is resolute in her convictions, kind hearted, classy, usually reasonable, and diplomatic to a fault. While she isn’t much of a fighter, she will work with those who are. Her term as Mayor came to an abrupt end at the hands of her alleged blackmailers, Soneya Lund and Janice Deccio. If Lund and Deccio don’t like her, she must be doing something right.
District 5 – Rick Glenn
In RED’s opinion, Glenn’s work as the head of the Landlord's Association has demonstrated his remarkable competence. He brings a tremendous amount of experience and takes personal responsibility for Yakima’s economic and cultural health. Glenn has earned a reputation as a man of integrity who is stubborn in his opposition to elitists on both sides of the aisle.
Yakima School District
Position 3 – Colleen Sheahan
In RED’s opinion, Sheahan is a reluctant warrior. Eminently qualified, she is currently the Principal of West Chestnut Academy. She has worked in education for more than 30 years and will be thorough.
Visit Colleen's campaign here.
Position 4 – Raymond Navarro
In RED’s opinion, Navarro is a reliable incumbent. The rumor mill is absurd on this guy. He allegedly spends his vacation time fighting communists in the jungles of South America. Sounds like a tall tale, and I’m sure Navarro would deny everything…but if it were true, wouldn’t he deny everything anyway?
Position 5 – Jennifer Conright
In RED’s opinion, Conright is a moderate. Former executive director of the Yakima Association of Realtors. Tries to play the middle. Unaligned with the left or the right, she is a “likable” personality. Her supporters believe she will not pander to pedophiles.
West Valley School District
Position 1 – Joel Hede
In RED’s opinion, Hede is a well respected youth pastor. He has a reputation for resolute loving-kindness. Well respected throughout the community by young and old alike, Hede is a man of conviction.
Position 4 – James Kephart
In RED’s opinion, Kephart’s work as a pastor has brought him into contact with a great many parents. Frustrated with the emphasis on sexual grooming, Pastor Kephart believes kids should learn math and reading, not how to perform oral sex on adults.
Position 5 – Steve Wolcott
In RED’s opinion, Pastor Wolcott’s return to the West Valley School Board signals a return to what made that district so distinct. Efficiency, quality, and careful management.
Conclusion
These seem a solid bunch, though they are unproven. If they really are fighters, then we will see improvements over the next two years…especially on the school boards. For the first time in recent memory, qualified candidates have been endorsed by the Republican Party in “non-partisan” races.
Let’s help them win.
