Fred Brink (Mayor of West Richland, Washington, candidate 2025)

Fred Brink

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Mayor of West Richland

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

United States Naval Academy

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Personal

Profession

Government

Contact

Campaign website

Fred Brink ran for election to the Mayor of West Richland in Washington. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

Brink completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Fred Brink provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2025:

• Bachelor's: United States Naval Academy
• Military service: United States Navy
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Government
• Prior offices held:
  • Fire Commissioner (2020)
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Fred Brink for Mayor
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements

Elections

General election

General election for Mayor of West Richland

Fred Brink and May Hays ran in the general election for Mayor of West Richland on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Fred Brink (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	May Hays (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

To view Brink's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Brink in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Fred Brink completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Brink's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a U.S. Navy veteran and a retired Special-Agent-in-Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. My family and I moved to West Richland, WA, in 2009 after my retirement from the FBI, where I began work as a national security program manager at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory until retirement in 2019. My wife and I have two adult sons who both serve on active duty - one with the U.S. Army and the other with the U.S. Navy.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• West Richland will continue to experience rapid population growth in the years ahead and my leadership as mayor in our city’s planning and future development will help balance residential, commercial, and recreational needs while addressing infrastructure and public safety requirements. I possess the qualities essential for an effective mayor (or any other city leader), which include collaboration, mutual respect, influence, courage, combined with the ability to solve complex problems and deliver practical solutions that will benefit the City of West Richland.
• It is argued West Richland needs to change its current form of government because the city has grown too large for one person to effectively manage. In fact, our present form of city government, the Mayor-Council structure, is the most common form of government in Washington with 228 cities, or MORE THAN 81 PERCENT OF ALL WASHINTON CITIES, using this model. Further the size of the city is irrelevant as even many of our state's largest cities are Mayor-Council communities. As a city manager will cost us more than $200,000 each year, the money needed for this position doesn't exist in our city budget without dramatic cuts in other areas. In summary, this impractical idea has not been vetted or thoroughly considered to any extent.
• My life is one of public service, and giving back to our community is why I first volunteered to serve on the West Richland Planning Commission and later run for City Council. Presently, I also serve on the governor's Forensic Advisory Council, our state's Emergency Management Council, and the Benton County Law and Justice Council. Several years ago, my fellow councilmembers unanimously chose me as our city's Mayor pro tem and, in addition, my peers across Washington State elected me as President of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) in June. I am committed to the thoughtful and pragmatic stewardship of our great community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a passionate advocate for my city, some of my leading public policy issues are in areas which include public safety, affordable housing, infrastructure development and transportation improvements: These policy priorities reflect my commitment to enhancing the quality of life in West Richland and across Washington State through focus on public safety, housing, infrastructure, and transportation needs.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

It is extremely important for any mayor (as the city's chief executive officer) to possess the background, education, ability and experience to effectively manage city staff and ensure the services every citizen expects and needs are delivered every day.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

One of the first major historical events i remember is Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon on July 20, 1969, during the Apollo 11 mission. This event was an extraordinary milestone in human history and space exploration. Alongside Buzz Aldrin, Armstrong walked on the lunar surface and Michael Collins orbited above, while millions worldwide watched in awe - including me! This monumental event captured the achievement not only of landing on another celestial body but also of American ingenuity, teamwork and determination. The moon landing inspired me as it symbolized the potential of scientific and technological progress. For me, it remains a lasting memory and a testament to humanity’s need and desire to explore the unknown.

What do you love most about your city?

Some of my favorite aspects of West Richland include our community’s family focus, the plentiful parks, our extensive pathways, several great schools, the many outdoor sport and recreational opportunities as well as our wide range of housing options available in a safe, inviting, family-oriented suburban community. These are many of the key attributes which draw individuals to move to our city, including my family and I when we moved to West Richland in 2009.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

My top concern is the lack of sufficient retail sales tax base to adequately fund park and road maintenance, police services and other critical aspects of our city operations. Cities and towns in Washington State rely on two major revenue sources for general funds – property taxes and sales tax. Our property taxes are already too high and increased sales tax revenue from business development will help to prevent potential future property tax increases.

Fortunately, our city’s Community Development Director and his team are working diligently to expand our sales tax base by actively soliciting new business. Development of the Lewis and Clark Ranch, already underway, will provide increased opportunity for businesses to locate in West Richland. Working closely with TRIDEC, our region’s economic development council, and our regional and local Chambers of Commerce, in concert with my recent election as President of the Association of Washington Cities, will provide increased visibility to businesses considering becoming part of our city.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

More than 23 current or former elected officials across Washington State, as well as several labor and business organizations.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Brink completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• VoteWA Profile

See also

2025 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Mayor of West Richland

Website