DeVictoria, Pantaleon advance to Wahluke School Board runoff

MATTAWA - The fall election for director district No. 1 on the Wahluke School Board is set, and it could be a tight race.

The candidates will be incumbent Maybeline Pantaleon, who is a Mattawa Police Department reserve officer, and Cynthia DeVictoria, who is a parent educator for the Columbia Basin Health Association.

Pantaleon won last week's primary election against DeVictoria and Maria Dolores Cruz-Chiprez. Pantaleon got 114 votes, DeVictoria was close behind with 95, and Cruz-Chiprez received 48.

Voter turnout for the primary was a very low 24.7 percent for the county. There were still 90 ballots to be counted as of Wednesday, but they didn't all affect the same races, and it appeared they would not change any outcome.

In another race involving a Royal Register area candidate, Sonia Padron and Warren Dan Lybbert took the top two spots for Quincy City Council seat No. 6.

Padron received 250 votes. Lybbert got 213, and Gina Saldana had 147. Saldana is the administrative assistant for Royal School District Superintendent Rose Search. She was making her first attempt at political office.

DeVictoria was grateful for and appreciative of the support she received, and she will campaign to gain the support of those still undecided.

"Having served on the board before, I understand the duties and responsibilities involved," she said. "I enjoyed the two years I served, and I hope to represent and support our families and community again as a school board member."

Pantaleon also thanked those who voted for her. She saw that as a sign of a good start on the fall campaign.

"I am humbled by your confidence in me," she said. "I look forward to serving again on the school board, but without your vote in November, it will not happen."