McMorris Rodgers staffer, David Condon, mulling run against Verner

The deputy chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Cathy McMoris Rodgers confirmed Tuesday that he is “seriously considering” entering the race for Spokane mayor.

David Condon, 37, said he is “trying to assess” if the city needs new leadership.

“It's something that I've always wanted to do, and I'm just trying to figure out if now is the time to do it,” Condon said.

Candidates have been slow to announce challenges to Verner and most of the people rumored to be considering bids last fall have said they won't run for mayor.

With only about eight months until the general election, only Verner has declared her intention to file for the position.

Condon said he would make a final decision about running for mayor in March or April.

There's already at least two candidates for city council president and for the council seats representing south Spokane and northeast Spokane.

Condon, who also serves as McMorris Rodgers' district director, recruited Michael Baumgartner to challenge Chris Marr for Spokane's highly competitive 6th District state Senate seat. Baumgartner won.

The city of Spokane leans Democratic, but Condon said he doubted his connection to the GOP would be problematic in a run for mayor.

“I don't see what's partisan about the mayor's office,” Condon said.

Condon, who lives in Spokane's Cliff-Cannon Neighborhood on the South Hill, has 2-year-old and 8-month-old children. He served in the U.S. Army for about eight years. He said he would leave his job with McMorris-Rodgers if he decides to run.

(Photo of Condon was published in 2005 when Condon was hired by McMorris Rodgers.)