The Spokane County Republican Party endorsed state Initiative 1033, party officials said today. It fits with their view of limited government which governs least and is closest to the people, spokesman Curt Fackler said in a press release.

No telling what they'll do about Republican elected officials at the local and state level who are urging people to vote no on the initiative for fear of what it will do to state, county or city budgets.

They also endorsed several candidates for elections this year or next. Some are not the least surprising, such as Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, who may have some of the best approval ratings in the area. Heck, the Democrats have limited prospects of an opponent in that race and would consider endorsing Ozzie if they thought could get away with it. And they're endorsing Rep. Matt Shea, an incumbent legislator in the Spokane Valley.

Slightly more interesting is the endorsement of former Rep. John Ahern, from Spokane's 6th District, who lost his seat to John Driscoll last year and is anxious for a rematch. Ahern has already drawn a primary opponent in Shelly O'Quinn.

Endorsements for 2009 are inside the blog

Brenda Grassel for Spokane ValleyCity Council

Mike Fagan, Spokane City Council District 1

Nancy McLaughlin, Spokane City Council District 3

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