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TRUSTED ENDORSEMENTS

The People Standing Behind Michael Rio for Judge

Michael Rio is endorsed by all seven Benton-Franklin Superior Court judges, a majority of the Benton County District Court judges, current Benton County Prosecutor Eric Eisinger, former Benton County Prosecutor Andy Miller, and local law enforcement.

That support comes from the people who know the work best — the judges, prosecutors, and officers who have watched Michael in the courtroom for two decades. The full list is organized by category below.

  • Judicial Endorsements

All 7 Benton Franklin Superior Court Judges

  • Judge Bronson Brown, Benton-Franklin Superior Court
  • Judge Joe Burrowes, Benton-Franklin Superior Court
  • Judge Andrew Howell, Benton-Franklin Superior Court
  • Judge Dave Petersen, Benton-Franklin Superior Court
  • Judge Norma Rodriguez , Benton-Franklin Superior Court
  • Judge Jacqueline Shea-Brown, Benton-Franklin Superior Court
  • Judge Jacqueline Stam, Benton-Franklin Superior Court

Benton Franklin Superior Court Commissioner

  • Commissioner Quinn Bell, Benton-Franklin Superior Court

Benton County District Court Judges

  • Judge Jennifer Azure, Benton County District Court
  • Judge James Bell, Benton County District Court
  • Judge John Ziobro, Benton County District Court
  • Judge Dan Kathren, Benton County District Court
  • Judge Terry Tanner, Benton County District Court

District Court Commissioner

  • Commissioner Jennifer Johnson, Benton County District Court

Franklin County District Court Judge

  • Judge Trinity Orosco, Franklin County District Court

Pasco Municipal Court Judge

  • Judge Carlos Villarreal

Retired Benton-Franklin Superior Court Judge

  • Judge Carrie Runge, Benton-Franklin Superior Court (Ret.)

Retired Benton County District Court Judge

  • Judge Katherine Butler, Benton County District Court (Ret.)
  • Judge Robert J. Ingvalson, Benton County District Court (Ret.)

Retired Franklin County District Court Judge

  • Judge Jerry Roach, Franklin County District Court (Ret.)

Retired Federal Way Municipal Court Judge

  • Judge Dave Larson, Federal Way Municipal Court Judge (Ret.)

Other Washington State Judges

  • Judge David Stevens, Mason County Superior Court
  • Judge Carolyn Benzel, Adams County District Court
  • Legal Community Endorsements
  • Eric Eisinger, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney
  • Shawn Sant, Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney
  • Randy Flyckt, Adams County Prosecuting Attorney
  • Andy Miller, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney (Ret.)
  • Law Enforcement Endorsements
  • Sheriff Mike Clark, Benton County Sheriff's Office
  • Chief Ken Roske, Pasco Chief of Police (Ret.)
  • Chief Ben Majetich, West Richland Chief of Police (Ret.)
  • Chief Chris Lee, Chief of Police
  • Chief Troy Tomaras, College Place Police Department
  • Chief Brent McFarlane, Othello Police Department
  • Asst. Chief Mike Hopp, Grandview Police Department (Ret.)
  • Chief Tony Corsi, Richland Police Department (Ret.)
  • Captain Mike Cobb, Richland Police Department (Ret.)
  • Captain Jeffrey Taylor, Richland Police Department (Ret.)
  • Commander Darryl Judge Richland Police Department (Ret.)
  • Sgt. Luke Flohr, Richland Police Department (Ret.)
  • Sgt. Brad Gregory, Pasco Police Department (Ret.)
  • Community Members
  • Nikki Torres, Washington State Senator, 15th Legislative District
  • William “Bill” Leach, Benton County Coroner
  • Shawn Logan, Former Mayor City of Othello
  • Aaron Garza, Othello City Administrator
  • Jim Campbell, Retired Richland High School Social Studies Teacher
  • Luke Flohr, Financial Advisor
  • Political Parties
  • Recommended by Benton County Republican Party
09-01-2026 To the Voters of Benton County: On behalf of the West Richland Police Officer Association, we proudly endorse Michael Rio for Benton County District Court Judge. Michael Rio has spent over 21 years as a local city prosecutor throughout the Tri-Cities region, including Pasco, Richland, and West Richland. That depth of experience gives him a rare, on-the-ground understanding of how our courts function and what fairness and accountability look like in practice. As co-founder of Rio Foltz, PLLC, he continues to manage municipal court prosecutions for multiple eastern Washington cities, and he regularly trains local police agencies and teaches criminal law at the Basic Law Enforcement Academy regional training campus in Pasco. Our members have worked directly with Michael Rio for years. We have seen his professionalism, his respect for law enforcement, and his commitment to handling cases with integrity firsthand. He understands the realities officers face in the field and the importance of a judge who is fair, experienced, and prepared on day one. Michael Rio is running to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Judge Tanner, and he has earned the endorsement of all seven Benton-Franklin Superior Court Judges, along with a majority of the sitting Benton County District Court Judges — a testament to the trust and respect he has built across our local justice system. The West Richland Police Officer Association proudly endorses Michael Rio for Benton County District Court Judge and encourages the voters of Benton County to support his candidacy. Sincerely, B. Connor Ehr President, West Richland Police Officer Association
FOP Tri-City Lodge No. 7 2839 W. Kennewick Ave #356 Kennewick, WA 99336 October 3, 2026 To Whom It May Concern, On behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police Tri-City Lodge 7, which represents more than 800 active members, I am proud to announce our unanimous vote to endorse Michael Rio for Benton County District Court Judge. At our regularly scheduled meeting on September 17, 2026, the membership of Lodge 7 voted unanimously to support Michael Rio. This endorsement reflects the confidence of our members in his experience and the collaborative working relationship he has maintained with law enforcement over many years of service in the Tri-Cities community. Michael Rio has demonstrated a consistent commitment to public safety and respect for the men and women of law enforcement. He has served as a municipal prosecutor for cities across the Tri-Cities, handling the types of cases that regularly appear on the District Court docket. Michael Rio has also provided legal advice to local police departments, trained officers from multiple agencies in the region, and taught criminal law at the local law enforcement academy. Michael Rio accessibility, professional integrity, and willingness to engage directly with law enforcement professionals have earned the trust of our membership. He understands the practical realities faced by officers in the field and the importance of a fair, efficient, and knowledgeable court. For these reasons, the Fraternal Order of Police Tri-City Lodge 7 offers its full endorsement of Michael Rio for Benton County District Court Judge. We look forward to a continued constructive working relationship focused on the safety and well-being of the Tri-Cities region. Respectfully, Justin Gerry President FOP Tri-City Lodge #7

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