About Me

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Mike Gonzalez has called Pasco home for more than a decade. He moved to Pasco in 2015 to anchor the news at the Tri-Cities ABC affiliate, beginning a relationship with the community that would eventually take him from journalism into public service, economic development and city management.

As a journalist, Mike built his career around asking tough questions, holding government accountable and telling the stories of everyday people. His investigative reporting earned recognition for excellence in journalism and helped shape the approach he still brings to public service today: be transparent, listen to people and never forget who government works for.

Mike later joined the City of Pasco, where he worked directly with businesses, neighborhoods and community leaders. He helped connect Pasco small businesses with nearly $2 million in American Rescue Plan funding, created the Pasco Business Advisory Council, and worked with local business leaders on changes to city building regulations designed to make it easier for businesses to succeed.

Mike was also instrumental in the removal of the notorious Thunderbird Motel, a property that had long been a source of concern in the community. As a licensed real estate broker, Mike spent nearly a year cultivating a relationship with the property owner and ultimately helped negotiate the sale of the property to the City of Pasco. The motel was later demolished, clearing the way for redevelopment.

His municipal leadership experience continued as City Manager of Sunnyside, where he became known for extensive community outreach and an emphasis on bringing city government directly to residents.

Today, Mike serves as City Administrator for the City of Echo, Oregon, where he oversees the day-to-day operation of the city, its municipal golf course, employees, infrastructure projects, contracts and city finances. The position gives him firsthand experience balancing a municipal budget, managing public dollars and making the difficult decisions required to deliver essential services while keeping costs under control.

Mike is running for Pasco City Council At-Large Position 7 because he believes Pasco deserves experienced leadership that understands both sides of City Hall — the residents and businesses affected by government decisions and the responsibility of those entrusted to make them.

For Mike, this campaign is about accountability, responsible spending, strong neighborhoods, economic opportunity and a city government that listens to the people it serves.

Pasco is Mike’s home. It is where he raised his family, built relationships and spent more than a decade serving the community in different roles. Now he wants to put that experience to work representing the entire city on the Pasco City Council.

• Responsible Spending & Balanced Budgets — Control spending, reduce waste, demand clear financial reporting, and make sure Pasco lives within its means. 
• No Unnecessary Tax Increases — Residents are already feeling the pressure of higher costs. Tax increases should be a last resort, not the first answer. 
• Government Accountability & Transparency — Residents deserve to know how decisions are made, how money is spent, and who is responsible when things go wrong. 
• Public Safety — Support police, fire, emergency services, code enforcement, and policies that keep neighborhoods safe while using public-safety dollars effectively. 
• Smart Growth & Infrastructure — Growth should pay its fair share. Roads, water, sewer, traffic, parks, and public facilities need to keep pace with new development. 
• Supporting Small Business — Cut unnecessary red tape, improve permitting, listen to business owners, and make Pasco a place where entrepreneurs can grow and create jobs. 
• Neighborhood Quality of Life — Focus on clean neighborhoods, abandoned and nuisance properties, traffic, parks, streets, housing conditions, and basic city services. 
• A City Hall That Listens — More community outreach, stronger communication, and decision-making that includes residents instead of happening only inside City Hall. 
• Workforce & City Management Reform — Review staffing levels, compensation, contracts, and organizational efficiency to ensure taxpayers are getting strong value from city government. 
• Protecting Pasco’s Future — Make long-term financial and development decisions based on what Pasco will need 10–20 years from now, not just what is politically convenient today.

Mike Gonzalez has spent much of his career working at the intersection of government, community service and public accountability.

In government, Mike has served in senior municipal leadership roles, including as City Manager of Sunnyside, Washington, and currently as City Administrator for the City of Echo, Oregon. In Echo, he oversees city operations, employees, municipal finances, infrastructure projects, contracts and the city-owned golf course. His experience gives him a firsthand understanding of budgeting, public safety, utilities, economic development, land use and the day-to-day challenges cities face.

Mike’s connection to the community goes back much further. He moved to Pasco in 2015 as a television journalist and spent years telling the stories of Tri-Cities residents and holding public institutions accountable. He later worked directly with the City of Pasco, helping local businesses access nearly $2 million in federal recovery funding, creating the Pasco Business Advisory Council and working with business owners to improve city policies and regulations.

His community work has always centered on bringing people together, listening to residents and finding practical solutions. Whether working with small-business owners, neighborhood leaders, elected officials or families, Mike believes government works best when leaders are visible, accessible and willing to listen.

Family is also at the center of Mike’s life. He is a husband, father and grandfather, and Pasco has been home to his family for more than a decade. His commitment to the city is personal. He wants Pasco to remain a safe, affordable and opportunity-filled community where families can build their lives, businesses can succeed and future generations can be proud to call Pasco home.