Pasco City Councilmember and Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Maloney has announced his intent to resign from Pasco City Council effective October 2.
Maloney was elected Councilmember for District 6 in 2017 and reelected in 2021. Maloney, a Tri-Cities native, has lived with his wife in Pasco for 17 years with their two children. He is a small business owner in Downtown Pasco, in addition to his employment at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and is currently serving as Pasco's Mayor Pro-Tem for his second term.
Maloney cited personal reasons for his upcoming resignation. "My family, my wine business, and my career deserve my full attention at this stage in my life. Over the last nearly six years, Pasco has progressed incredibly far toward our shared vision of a thriving, prosperous, and modern city. We are in good hands with our amazing staff, led by our new City Manager, Adam Lincoln."
In his announcement, Maloney also said, "…those who feel called to serve their city steward it for their fellow community members for a time, but cities have much longer lifespans than their servants." He continued, "Pasco now needs someone else from District 6 to step up and represent our great city. I love Pasco very much and will continue to build my community in new ways."
Maloney is an active and vocal member of City Council. He serves on multiple boards representing Pasco in addition to his duties as Mayor Pro-Tem. He is well-known for digging deep into budget and policy documents. Pasco Mayor Blanche Barajas said, "Craig pays close attention to each and every item in front of Council, especially budget and dense policy items. He has been a steady voice for Pasco, and he will be greatly missed."
Asked about his accomplishments over his term, Maloney said, "…nothing in a city is done without the majority of Council members choosing a direction for City staff to implement. That said, I am very proud that my decade-long efforts will help to bring Pasco an amazing water park. As a policy wonk, I am also proud that our work to add diverse housing options and a range of commercial and industrial developments has earned us recognition as a model City in the state and the country. And we did this while expanding opportunities for the arts and recreation and celebrating our diversity."
City Manager Adam Lincoln said of Maloney's resignation, "City staff appreciates Mayor Pro-Tem Maloney's service to the Pasco community and his dedication to District 6 and its residents. We thank Mayor Pro-Tem Maloney and wish him the best in his future endeavors. We know he will continue to be active in the community."
With Maloney's resignation, the City Council will immediately begin the process of appointing a representative for District 6, with a Councilmember being selected in the next several weeks. More information for potential applicants, including residency requirements, will be found here on the City's website at www.pasco-wa.gov/District6Vacancy