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Experience Matters

I Will Bring Extensive Experience to the Bench

District Court is where our local cases relating to gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors are litigated. These include DUI, domestic violence, theft, simple assault, and trespass matters. I have served multiple communities across our region for the last 21 years. The work I have done for Richland, Pasco, West Richland, Prosser, Othello, College Place, and Adams County has provided me with a breadth of knowledge and experience in criminal law.

An exemplary judge must be impartial, maintain order, protect the victims and community, and the rights of the accused. I will continue to be fair, firm, and follow the rule of law. Simply stated, I have the experience necessary to serve as your next district court judge.

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Endorsements

21 years as your local prosecutor

Endorsed by local judges

Backed by local law enforcement

WSBA member since 2001

Rio Foltz Law Firm, Kennewick

Tri-Cities resident since 2005

WHY I’M RUNNING

Citizens Across Benton County Will Benefit From My Earned Experience

Our communities expect safe neighborhoods and accountability when laws are broken. Public trust in the justice system depends on consistency, professionalism, and judges who are prepared and impartial. I am devoted to this purpose and will work hard to maintain these principles as your next Benton County District Court judge.

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ENDORSEMENTS

Backed by every sitting local judge and by local law enforcement.

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.

My extensive district court experience has earned respect among the judiciary, prosecutors, defense attorneys and law enforcement. I am endorsed by current Benton County Prosecutor Eric Eisinger, former Benton County Prosecutor Andy Miller, all Benton-Franklin Superior Court Judges, a majority of Benton County District Court Judges, many members of local law enforcement, and local attorneys.

The full endorsement list is on our endorsement page.

All Endorsements

EXPERIENCE

Twenty-one years prosecuting the cases that come through District Court.

Michael has served as Deputy Prosecutor across West Richland, Richland, Pasco, Prosser, Othello, College Place, and Adams County. The cases that fill District Court’s daily docket — misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, DUI, theft, assault — are the cases he has handled day in and day out for two decades.

He moved to the Tri-Cities in 2005, has raised his family here, and currently practices at Sant Law Firm in Kennewick alongside Jessica Folts.

JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY

Judges Are Restrained and Impartial

Consistent

People deserve to know that the same standards apply every time a case comes up. Consistency is not a slogan; it is how a court earns trust.

Experienced

People deserve a judge who has long-term experience litigating the types of cases they will preside over.

Principled

People deserve a judge with a commitment to accountability. Without legal accountability, recidivism rates rise.

Trusted Endorsements

The people standing behind Michael Rio for Judge

  • 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 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
  • Legal Community Endorsements
  • Eric Eisinger, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney
  • Shawn Sant, Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney
  • Randy Flyckt, Adams County Prosecuting Attorney
  • Law Enforcement Endorsements
  • Sheriff Mike Clark, Benton County Sheriff's Office
  • 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
All Endorsements

SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN

Help send experienced, consistent judgment to the bench.

Campaign contributions fund yard signs, mailers, and outreach across Benton County between now and election day. Donations of any size help.

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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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