Pendleton elects first woman to mayor’s seat while history-making Hermiston candidates fall short
Photos of men in suits line a wall in Pendleton City Hall. The wall commemorating every mayor in the town’s 144-year history will now include McKennon McDonald, the first woman to hold the office. Neighboring Hermiston had a chance for history-making candidates but fell short. McDonald and other candidates from both towns acknowledged the potential milestones but focused on their campaign platforms rather than their identities. McDonald, a former elementary school teacher, captured the mayor’s seat in a landslide, emphasizing issues such as housing and economic development. Meanwhile, Hermiston’s potential milestone candidates trailed the leading contender, Doug Primmer, in early election results. Although diversity and representation are evolving in Umatilla County, the focus remains on effective governance and community needs for those aspiring to lead these towns.
