Sams and Rio are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Benton County election filings.
Talesha Sams and Michael "Mike" Rio meet on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Benton County District Court, Judge Position 1, per the Secretary of State's VoteWA general-election candidate list.
Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.
This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels.
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Washington › Benton County › Benton County District Court, Judge Position 1
Sams has 25 years in private practice and has served as a District Court Judge Pro Tem, prosecutor, public defender and Adult Protective Services attorney, per the statement filed for the Washington voters' guide. Sams is an Army veteran and former nurse and respiratory therapist, with a law degree from Gonzaga University, per the statement filed for the Washington voters' guide.
Rio has served as a Judge Pro Tem in Franklin County District Court and as a contract city prosecutor for Prosser, Richland, West Richland, Pasco, College Place and Othello, per the statement filed for the Washington voters' guide. Rio is a partner at Rio Foltz and holds a J.D. from Gonzaga Law School and an LL.M. in Intellectual Property from the University of Houston, per the statement filed for the Washington voters' guide.
Who is running for Benton County District Court, Judge Position 1 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Benton County District Court, Judge Position 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Talesha Sams and Michael "Mike" Rio. Candidate information follows official Benton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Benton County District Court, Judge Position 1 election in Washington?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Washington are on the Washington election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Benton County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Benton County and state election office filings, last verified October 26, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Washington election office, or see the full Benton County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
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