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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Treasurer: Thomas Vs. Matheson

Kootenai County treasurer candidate Steve Matheson shakes hands with state Senate candidate Mary Souza at the Reagan Republicans luncheon at Fedora today. (Photo: Duane Rasmussen)

The Reagan Republicans also hosted a debate for county treasurer between Deputy Treasurer Lori Thomas and Steve Matheson:

  • Lori Thomas: Chief deputy for 13 years ... regional director for former U.S. senator Larry Craig ... precinct committeewoman for 17 years ... 8 years as local GOP treasurer & former local GOP volunteer of the year ... wants to establish an investment committee (w/treasurer, commissioner, prosecuty, securities broker & banker on it) to increase investment return ... views life as a participant sport ... county treasurer limited by state law re: investment opportunities ... believes in limited government ... the market collapse of six years ago shows that the county has to be careful re: investments ... knows rules and regulations for office better than opponent ... cut her teeth in GOP politics with Kathy Sims and Ruthie Johnson as her mentors ... good team in office, reduced from 11 to 7 & more efficient today ... quoted brannon in saying that it's easier to shoot from the outside than the inside ... "We don't gamble with your tax dollars."

 

  • Steve Matheson: 28 years financial management experience ... spent professional career in financial risk management ... never has seen an organization as big as Kootenai County with such unqualified people handling its money ... treasurer's office needs to increase internal controls ... treasurer's office manages investments poorly ... from campaign literature: "I intend to be disruptive. I am not interested in being another candidate simply seeking the security of a government job" ... 50 years old, retired 6-7 years ... political background: GOP regional chair of 47th Legislative District (Washington) ... precinct committee officer 11th & 47th Legislative Districts (Washington) ... questions adequacy of one-week training course of opponent to handle $147 million in cash & investments ... doesn't have Lori Thomas' political machine or history in the county ... but he says he's far more qualified for the office than her.

 



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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