Rob Welch Nowhere to be Seen on Election Night

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By Chelsea Kopta

Summary

It certainly wasn't the election night Rob Welch planned. The state representative candidate is likely still being held on a mental evaluation following a blow-up this weekend.

Story Published: Nov 4, 2008 at 6:34 PM PST

RICHLAND -- It certainly wasn't the election night Rob Welch planned.

The State Representative candidate is likely still being held on a mental evaluation following a blow-up this weekend.

Just hours left before election races were called and it was still business as usual at the GOP office in downtown Richland: trying to get your vote.

"We just wanted to let you know that this is the last day to turn in your ballot," a volunteer said.

Signs for Dino Rossi, Rob McKenna and Doug Sunderland scattered the walls but there were no signs of the turmoil facing a fellow republican, Rob Welch, after news broke on the eve of the election.

"That was a really unfortunate situation," Benton County Republican Chair Patrick McBurney said.

Welch is the former mayor of Richland and trying to unseat Larry Haler for a position in the 8th Legislative District.

But on this day, Welch was nowhere to be seen or heard from.

He is reportedly on a 72-hour mental health hold but Lourdes Medical Center would not confirm or deny that.

Our partners at the Tri-City Herald report welch had a fight with his son over the weekend, at his Kennewick home, and was so enraged he smashed a pane of glass.

Welch's wife then called police.

"Our hearts go out to his family," McBurney said. "Obviously, it's a very difficult situation for him and his family."

His family has not talked about what happened. After several attempts before and on election day, they chose not to comment.

"We hope that he can get what he needs and get back to doing what he's going," McBurney said.

Larry Haler is the candidate endorsed by the Republican party, but it's their policy to endorse the incumbent.

We tried reaching Welch's campaign manager several times. He did not call back.

And the Democratic party refused to comment.