Richland Voters Will Elect Council Member November 3
Richland residents will cast ballots for the Position 4 seat to fill a vacancy created by the death of Donald Landsman.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Elections
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Richland voters will head to the polls on November 3 to choose between candidates Kyle Saltz and Mary S. Lipton for the city council Position 4 seat. This special election follows the passing of Donald Landsman and will determine who fills the council vacancy until the term concludes in 2029.
Why it matters
The outcome of this nonpartisan race will return the seven-member council to full capacity for city governance. Voters are tasked with selecting a representative to serve out the remainder of the term during a period when council compensation is set to increase.
In the August primary, Kyle Saltz secured 40.4% of the vote compared to 27.85% for Mary S. Lipton. The successful candidate will join the seven-member council and receive a monthly salary of $1,424 starting in 2027.
The players
Kyle Saltz
Kyle Saltz is a candidate for the Richland city council Position 4 seat who advanced from the August primary.
Mary S. Lipton
Mary S. Lipton is a candidate for the Richland city council Position 4 seat who emerged from the August primary.
Donald Landsman
Donald Landsman was a member of the Richland city council whose death created the vacancy for the Position 4 seat.
The details
Candidates Kyle Saltz and Mary S. Lipton are competing for the Position 4 seat in a race where voters are electing their representative at large. Saltz has reported raising $14,563, including $8,561 in outside contributions and $6,000 in in-kind donations, while Lipton has raised $2,300.
Timeline
August 2026 saw the primary election for city council Position 4.
Ballots were mailed to registered voters on October 16, 2026.
The general election for city council Position 4 occurs on November 3, 2026.
The monthly salary for council members increases to $1,424 starting in 2027.
The current city council term for Position 4 ends in 2029.
Political Context
Opponents of the current candidate pool may argue that the transition to an at-large voting system limits neighborhood-specific representation on the council. Critics often suggest that these nonpartisan contests lack the accountability provided by party-aligned platforms.
Residents should ensure their ballots are postmarked or delivered by the November 3 deadline to participate in the selection of their new council member. As the seat represents the entire city, the elected official will vote on local policies that impact city-wide services and budgets.
The takeaway
Voters have two clear choices for the upcoming seat vacancy that will shape the council through 2029. Residents are encouraged to review campaign finance disclosures to understand the support behind each candidate before casting their ballot.
What happens next
The general election will be held on November 3, 2026, followed by the certification of the winner who will take office shortly thereafter.
Further reading
For additional context on municipal races, visit Richland Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tri-City Herald.
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