Yakima County's Gop Coroner Dies Two Days Before Re-Election

YAKIMA - Leonard Birkinbine, Yakima County's longtime coroner, died two days before he would have been elected to a fifth term.

Birkinbine, 74, died of congestive heart failure Sunday, County Commissioner Bettie Ingham said. The Republican had served as coroner since 1978 and was to have been the sole candidate in today's election.

Ballots were printed before Birkinbine's death and will not be changed, Ingham said.

John Reynolds, a Reform Party candidate, had planned to challenge Birkinbine this year. But Reynolds, 40, died from an undisclosed illness Sept. 14, one day before the primary election.