Richland City Council Pos 3
Elected Experience
Benton County Republican Party: State Committeewoman, twice Vice-Chair (1998-2003, 2013-2014) and acting Chair
Other Professional Experience
6th Grade Teacher, Jefferson Elementary School; Substitute Teacher, Richland School District; Devoted wife and mother for 48 years, managing a home and raising a family—an experience that has shaped strong commitment to community, responsibility, and service.
Education
Master’s degree in Curriculum/Instruction, University of Washington; Bachelor’s degree in Education, Washington State University
Community Service
Volunteer musician at assisted living facilities and local churches. Former President, Hanford PTA. Various positions, Jefferson PTA. Treasurer, Public Safety Sales Tax Committee. Member of the church benevolence ministry.
Statement
Pat has lived in the historic part of Richland for over 50 years. She came to Richland to begin her teaching career and then met her husband, Rich. They settled in Richland and raised a family. Pat is the proud mother of three children who are married and raising children of their own. A fiscal conservative, Pat has no personal debt. She respects the history of Richland and has taken responsibility to care for and restore her 1958 home and yard.
Pat wants to make sure the city is safe. She is committed to addressing the growing gang and drug issues affecting our neighborhoods, parks and businesses. Pat will be a strong advocate for the Richland Police Department. She is concerned with theft, homelessness, and drug and gang issues that result in the deterioration of our great city. She loves Richland’s bright future based on its many assets. She will support the growth of new business as well as supporting existing businesses.
As a teacher, wife, mother, outdoor enthusiast, wine-lover and nuclear supporter,
Pat will bring her background, experience, enthusiasm, and love for Richland to this role.
Elected Experience
This is my first time running for office.
Other Professional Experience
Cybersecurity Engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Education
B.S. Computer Science from University of Idaho; M.S. Cybersecurity from University of Idaho
Community Service
Volunteer at Covenant United Methodist Church Spokane, college tutor
Statement
I want to serve my community, and I believe city council is where I could provide the greatest benefit. I love nature and will always work to preserve Richland's parks and natural resources. I believe that city council should be elected by district instead of at-large to ensure everyone is equally represented. I am deeply committed to our core American values of freedom and opportunity; I will protect each citizen's unalienable rights and work for a community that works for all.
Outside of these values, I don't have preconceived notions of how the city should be run. I do not have any agenda outside of serving the people of Richland. My first priority will be finding out what problems affect you and getting them fixed as quickly as possible. I'd like to hear from you. If you call, I'll answer. If you email me, I'll respond. I'll be present, attending every Richland City Council workshop and meeting where I will be actively advocating for your needs and concerns. It's time for younger people to have a say in Richland's future. I would be honored to receive your vote and I hope to work for you soon.
Community Engagement
- ✅ Tri-Cities Vote Q&A
- ✅ League of Women Voters
- ✅ TC Regional Chamber Q&A
- ✅ Ballotpedia Survey 2025
- ❌ Stonewall News Q&A
- ❌ TC Regional Chamber Video
- ✅ Tri-City Herald Q&A
Community Engagement
- ❌ Tri-Cities Vote Q&A
- ❌ League of Women Voters
- ❌ TC Regional Chamber Q&A
- ❌ Ballotpedia Survey 2025
- ❌ Stonewall News Q&A
- ❌ TC Regional Chamber Video
- ❌ Tri-City Herald Q&A
Endorsements and Opposition
Endorsements and Opposition
No letters of support or opposition listed yet.
Donors
Donors
💰 $7,004 from 10+ donors ($5,922 cash / $1,081 in-kind): including Pat Holten ($3,000)Holten Richard ($1,081)Washington Association of Realtors Political Affairs Council ($1,000)H Rich ($500)Small Contributions ($472)Holten Ronald ($250)Zelikovsky Dean ($200)Lampson Bill ($200)
Donors
No contributions reported yet.
2025 City Council Questionnaire
Rank the city's top 3 most pressing challenges. How would you address them?
1. Safety. This includes safe roads as well as safety from crime. My children grew up free-range kids in Richland. It is not safe anymore. We need to restore that. 2. Good jobs. I support Richlands nuclear and scientific community as well as our important agricultural businesses. Our wine is becoming famous around the world. 3. Affordable housing. Cut needless regulations and permitting to allow, especially in the central city, people to afford the older housing.
Pick one piece of city-owned property and express your vision for it.
As well as supporting the old city hall property for mixed use, I would look into developing unused parks to help relieve crowding at the main Leslie Groves Park, Howard Amon Park and the Marina Park. I would improve the accesses to Leslie Groves at Newcomer and near VanGiesen for paddle-board and kayak launching. These areas already have adequate parking could easily be cleared and designated with signage for SUP and kayaks. This would help relieve congestion at the main parks. I would also consider putting in pickle-ball courts in unused areas such as Stevens Park near VanGiesen or Goethals Park that backs up to storage units. I think improving little-used parks would also help increase desirability to live in these neighborhoods.
If money was no object and you could wave a magic wand, what single thing would you do to improve our city?
I love central Richland. I have lived here for over 50 years because of its proximity to great parks and waterfront, as well as being a truly walkable community. Central Richland has great jobs and moderate weather. I would make it a beautiful, safe place to live and work. I would have great business, great restaurants and beautifully remodeled housing as well as great bike paths and safe traffic.
| Statement A | Strong A | Lean A | Lean B | Strong B | Statement B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
When making an important decision, I tend to trust in my own lived experiences, judgment, and beliefs. | When making an important decision, I tend to seek out opinions and perspectives different from my own. | ||||
In addition to increasing affordable housing options, we should address homelessness by prioritizing the enforcement of camping bans in public spaces. | In addition to increasing affordable housing options, we should address homelessness by prioritizing the development of low-barrier shelters. | ||||
We should take a multimodal view of transportation, finding examples from other small cities that have developed safe and thriving bike and pedestrian flow. | Traffic flow should be the top priority of transportation infrastructure investment. | ||||
We should address behavioral health needs by focusing on inpatient services for people experiencing addiction and other crises. | We should address behavioral health needs by focusing on education, harm reduction, and reducing stigma. | ||||
When it comes to energy initiatives, one effective strategy might be to support advanced nuclear technology (small modular reactors). | When it comes to energy initiatives, one effective strategy might be to support renewable energy options (like solar and hydro). | ||||
To better develop small businesses in our city, we should adjust regulations, including zoning, permits, and licensing fees. | To better develop small businesses in our city, we should invest in downtown revitalization and other infrastructure projects that create thriving areas for small business development. | ||||
The city is doing a good job of being transparent. | The city should do a much better job of being transparent. | ||||
The Columbia River shore should be returned to local control. | The Columbia River shore should remain under control of the Army Corps of Engineers. |

