Port of Benton Commissioners recall, Washington (2026)
| Port of Benton Commissioners recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
Bill O'Neil Lori Stevens |
| Recall status |
| Signature requirement |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2026 Recalls in Washington Washington recall laws Special district recalls Recall reports |
An effort to recall Port of Benton Commissioners Scott Keller, Bill O'Neil, and Lori Stevens, is underway in Washington. The recall effort was launched by retired Benton County Judge Eugene Pratt. If a court finds the charges sufficient, recall supporters would have 180 days to collect signatures equal to 35% of the votes cast in each commissioner’s most recent election in order to get the recalls on the ballot.[1]
Recall supporters
Pratt, who filed formal recall complaints against the commissioners, argued the board failed to act after an outside investigation found violations tied to Keller. The investigation, conducted by Schwabe Williams, found evidence of misused public funds, including unauthorized below-market lease agreements and officials’ personal use of public resources.[1]
Pratt said the recall centers on accountability and alleged the commissioners did not address the findings of the investigation. He said that by failing to act, the board signaled to the public that it would not correct ongoing problems.[1]
Recall opponents
Commissioner Scott Keller responded to the recall effort in a statement, saying, “Now is the time to stop looking backwards and instead look forward and concentrate on the real business of the Port. I appreciate and am excited to be a part of a united Commission and port management, which focuses on increasing the economic well-being of our community.”[1]
As of February 2025, Ballotpedia had not identified responses from O'Neil or Stevens.[1]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Washington
Washington allows the following grounds for recall: malfeasance or misfeasance while in office or violating the oath of office.[2] Before a recall petition can collect signatures, the grounds for recall must be considered by a superior court judge. If the judge rules that the grounds for recall meet the state requirements, the petition will be approved for circulation. To get the recall on the ballot, supporters must collect signatures equal to 25% or 35% of the votes cast for the office at the last election, depending on the office type.[3] Signatures must be collected within 180 days.[4]
Recall context
- See also: Ballotpedia's Recall Report
Ballotpedia covers recall efforts across the country for all state and local elected offices. A recall effort is considered official if the petitioning party has filed an official form, such as a notice of intent to recall, with the relevant election agency.
The chart below shows how many officials were included in recall efforts from 2012 to 2025 as well as how many of them defeated recall elections to stay in office and how many were removed from office in recall elections.
See also
- Ballotpedia's Recall Report
- Benton County, Washington
- Recall campaigns in Washington
- Political recall efforts, 2026
- Special district recalls
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Apple Valley News Now, "Recall paperwork officially filed against Port of Benton commissioners," February 24, 2026
- ↑ Constitution of the State of Washington, "Article I, Section 33," accessed October 16, 2023
- ↑ Washington Constitution, "Article I, Section 34," accessed October 17, 2023
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Revised Code of Washington: 29A.56.150," accessed October 17, 2023
