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Press Release

PASCO, WA – Carlos D. Villarreal, longtime Pasco resident and highly-regarded attorney, announced his candidacy today for Franklin County District Court Judge. Villarreal is seeking to fill the vacancy to be created by the retirement of the Honorable Gerald “Jerry” Roach at the end of 2022.

Villarreal founded a bilingual law firm focused on complex criminal and immigration matters in 2009 and has regularly served as judge pro tem for Franklin County District Court and Pasco Municipal Court. While serving as a judge pro tem over the last decade, Villarreal has heard hundreds of local cases and gained valuable judicial experience.

“I’m very excited to announce my candidacy to serve as Franklin County District Court Judge. It would be an incredible honor to follow in Judge Roach’s footsteps in serving our community,” said Villarreal. “If elected, I will always uphold the law, act impartially, and serve with integrity.”

Villarreal’s lengthy service as judge pro tem, broad experience with complicated legal matters and deep roots in the Columbia Basin make him uniquely qualified to serve as Franklin County District Court judge.

Villarreal was born and raised in Othello, Washington and graduated from Eastern Washington University with a double major in political science, with an emphasis in pre-law, and a major in Spanish. He earned a Juris Doctorate from Western Michigan University School of Law in Lansing, Michigan. Villarreal is an active member of his church community and currently serves as a lay minister and a youth group leader. He is also former Scout Master and Assistant Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America. He has lived in Pasco for nearly two decades with his wife and five children, the eldest of whom is currently serving in the US Army.

Villarreal is a proud to accept the endorsement and confidence of many Franklin County residents and businesses including, Ross and Chris Montierth, Courtney Calaway, Kerry Calaway, Sam and Meredith Harker the current sitting Pasco Municipal Court Judge the Honorable Craig Stillwell, Nathan and Stacy Henry, William “Bill” and Caroline Henry, Tracy and Jill Lybbert and Derek and Michelle Maughan.