Port of Kennewick is seeking applicants to represent District 1 on its Board of Commissioners

​Port Commissioners Skip Novakovich and Raul Contreras Gonzalez will appoint a replacement by the end of November to fill the District 1 position, which was vacated on Sept. 1 by the retirement of Commissioner Ken Hohenberg.
 
The candidate appointed to replace Commissioner Hohenberg will serve in that capacity until certification of the 2027 election (and may choose to run in that election). Interested candidates must:
 

• Be a registered voter who resides within Port of Kennewick’s District 1, as required by state law (confirm with Benton County Auditor’s office)
• Submit a completed application, a consent to background review form and a resume

 
District boundary maps, application materials, important dates and more details are available on Port of Kennewick’s website at portofkennewick.org/commission-candidates. Application packets may also be picked up at the Port of Kennewick administration office on Clover Island located at 350 Clover Island Drive, Suite 200, in Kennewick on weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
 
There are two opportunities to apply as a candidate (only submit one application):
 

1. First Invitation: Submit completed application package no later than Sept. 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific
2. Second Invitation: Submit completed application package no later than Oct. 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific

 
The final deadline for all applications is Oct. 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
 
Qualified candidates who submit a complete application package by Sept. 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. will be announced during the commission’s regular meeting on Sept. 22, 2026. Additional qualified candidates who submit a complete application package after the first-invitation deadline will be announced at the meeting on Oct.13, 2026.
 
Submit applications to the Clerk of the Board via email at [email protected]. If email is not possible, candidates may drop off completed applications on weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Port of Kennewick administration office on Clover Island located at 350 Clover Island Drive, Suite 200, in Kennewick.
 
During the November 2027 election, voters in District 1 will elect an individual to serve as their representative on the Port of Kennewick Board of Commissioners for a full six-year term.
 
Commissioners are responsible for representing public interests, setting policies, determining program direction, setting short- and long-term goals, approving the annual budget and assisting with leadership development for the organization.
 
Port of Kennewick’s District 1 is in Benton County and includes the area generally North of Interstate 82 and State Route 397; East of Leslie Road; South of Gage Boulevard; and West of Olympia Street; and generally encompassing the Southeast Richland/Meadow Springs; Central and West Kennewick; and Southridge/Canyon Lakes neighborhoods.