Pat Holten (Richland City Council Position 3, Washington, candidate 2025)

Pat Holten

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Richland City Council Position 3

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

High school

White Bear Lake High School

Bachelor's

Washington State University, 1972

Graduate

University of Washington, 1977

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Homemaker

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Pat Holten is running for election to the Richland City Council Position 3 in Washington. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source] She was on the ballot in the primary on August 5, 2025.^[source]

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

Biography

Pat Holten provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on July 8, 2025:

• Birth date: March 3, 1950
• High school: White Bear Lake High School
• Bachelor's: Washington State University, 1972
• Graduate: University of Washington, 1977
• Gender: Female
• Religion: Christian
• Profession: Homemaker
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

General election for Richland City Council Position 3

Pat Holten and Robert Walko are running in the general election for Richland City Council Position 3 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Pat Holten (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Robert Walko (Nonpartisan)

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	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.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Richland City Council Position 3

Pat Holten, Sandra Kent, and Robert Walko ran in the primary for Richland City Council Position 3 on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate
		Pat Holten (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Sandra Kent (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Robert Walko (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 Holten's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

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

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I came to Richland to student-teach and have been here ever since. I taught sixth grade at Jefferson Elementary, met my husband, raised three children, and now enjoy time with my grandsons. I also perform music on the piano and the accordion because I believe in the value of music ministry; that it makes people happier and more connected. Over 50 years, I’ve seen what makes Richland so special: miles of public shoreline with parks and trails, outstanding job opportunities in our clean nuclear industry, world-class wine production, the innovative minds at PNNL, and our strong agricultural base.

Our mighty Columbia River supports it all — providing recreation, power, and irrigation — and will help Richland continue to grow and prosper.

I’m running for City Council because I want future generations to have good jobs, affordable housing, and a community they are proud to call home.

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?

• Safety

  • Keep Richland safe from crime

  • Improve pedestrian and bicycle safety
• Quality of Life • Support local businesses and affordable housing by reducing unnecessary permits and regulations • Maintain and improve parks • Address homelessness with mental health and addiction treatment support • Encourage community-building events like Alive at Five, Cool Desert Nights, and Ironman • Promote walkable neighborhoods while protecting small local businesses
• Fiscal Responsibility • Protect taxpayer dollars • Eliminate waste so we can fund the fun, meaningful programs that build community

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about protecting what makes Richland special: our riverfront parks and miles of walking and biking paths. I am also passionate about making housing more affordable—especially in the older neighborhoods of Richland, where revitalization can bring new life while honoring existing character. I also care deeply about preserving and creating walkable communities, where people can easily access essential services on foot. As our city grows, I believe we must manage that growth responsibly, with thoughtful planning that balances development with livability. Growth is coming—let’s manage it responsibly.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

US Constitution and Bill of Rights

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

An elected official should be honest, transparent, and committed to listening. It’s important to study both sides of every issue with an open mind, respect differing views, and make decisions based on facts and the long-term good of the whole community. And above all, an official must uphold the laws and governing structures that guide our city.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Core Responsibilities of a Richland City Council Member:

1. Set Local Policy – Develop and adopt city policies, ordinances, and resolutions that guide the city’s operations and future direction.
2. Approve the City Budget – Review and approve the city’s annual budget to ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars and alignment with community priorities.
3. Represent the Community – Listen to residents, attend public meetings, and bring forward community concerns to ensure all voices are heard in city decisions.
4. Oversee City Services – Monitor the performance of essential services such as public safety, utilities, parks, planning, and infrastructure.
5. Guide Land Use and Growth – Make decisions about zoning, development, and housing that shape how the city grows and maintains livability.
6. Work with Regional Partners – Collaborate with neighboring cities, Benton County, and regional organizations on shared challenges and opportunities.

7. Appoint City Officials and Committees – Select individuals to serve on city boards and commissions and help guide city administration.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

One struggle I’ve faced—and still work through—is staying focused without being pulled off course by self-doubt. Like many people, I sometimes question whether I’m doing enough or doing things the right way. But I’ve learned to keep showing up and keep chipping away at a task, even when it feels hard. That persistence has helped me turn uncertainty into motivation—to listen more carefully, prepare more thoroughly, and lead with humility.

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 Holten completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• VoteWA Profile

See also

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Candidate

Richland City Council Position 3

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