Ballots for WA primary election will go out July 17
Walla Walla and Columbia county voters will get to cast votes in a number of races, from state and federal representative to county sheriff, in the Aug. 4 primary election.
For some races, such as the congressional race in District 5, voters will pick which two candidates will advance to the November general election.
For others, like the sheriff's race, the candidates will automatically advance to the November ballot, but the primary election will give an initial look at voter support.
Voters start to receive their ballot and voters' guide beginning Friday, July 17. Ballots can be returned by mail or to 24-hour official drop boxes located in each county.
There are no local ballot measures this primary season, but the ballots will include races from federal seats down to the smallest unit of political representation, precinct committee officers.
Here's what voters in Walla Walla and Columbia counties can expect to see on their primary ballot:
Federal
U.S. Representative Congressional District 5: Nate Powell, Carmela Conroy, Matthew Hayes, Bajun R. Mavalwalla, Michael McGarr, Kevin Fagan, Michael Baumgartner (incumbent), Kyle Usrey, Andrew Bartleson, Ann Marie Danimus, Richard Freudenberg and David Womack.
State
Washington Legislative District 16 Representative Position 1: Mark Klicker (incumbent), Kyle Palmer
Washington Legislative District 16 Representative Position 2: Skyler Rude (incumbent), Derek Sarley
Walla Walla County
Assessor: Byron Burres (incumbent)
Auditor: Sheryl R. Park, Tim Reeves, Marjorie Denton Sanborn
* Gregory A. Tompkins will appear on the ballot and in the voters' guide for the auditor race, but he has ended his campaign. Park is currently serving as auditor after being appointed by commissioners.
Clerk: Becky Renwick
Commissioner District 3: Gunner Fulmer (incumbent), Troy Woody, Rikki P. Wescott
* Only voters residing in District 3 - which stretches from College Place to Burbank - will get to vote on this race in the primary.
Coroner: Richard Greenwood (incumbent)
Prosecuting Attorney: Gabriel Acosta (incumbent)
Sheriff: Richard Schram, Ashley Daschofsky
Treasurer: Gordon R. Heimbigner (incumbent)
Precinct committee officer races
Columbia County
Assessor: Tammy Ketterman (incumbent)
Auditor: Will Hutchens (incumbent)
Clerk: Kriston Chapman (incumbent)
Commissioner District 3: Jack Miller (incumbent), Bill Warren
* Again, only voters residing in District 3 will get to vote on this race in the primary. The race will be countywide in the general.
Prosecuting Attorney: Nickolas J. Ward (incumbent)
Sheriff: Joe Helm (incumbent)
Treasurer: Carla Rowe (incumbent)
Precinct committee officer races
Nonpartisan
Washington State Supreme Court Justice Position 1: Colleen Melody (incumbent), Laura Christensen Colberg, Scott Edwards
Washington State Supreme Court Justice Position 3: Jaime Michelle Hawk, David Stevens, Mike Diaz
Washington State Supreme Court Justice Position 5: Greg Miller, Theo Angelis (incumbent), Dave Larson, Sharonda Amamilo
Washington State Supreme Court Justice Position 7: David R. Shelvey, Debra L. Stephens (incumbent), Karim A. Merchant, Todd A. Bloom
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This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 10:08 PM.