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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control

Sunday Spin 3: More debates seem likely

The dog days of summer are a slack time for news and campaigns often scramble to fill the void. Last week’s attempt to commit news in the governor’s race involved debates.

The Spokane debate apparently whetted Republican challenger Bill Bryant’s appetite and he tried to seize the initiative by challenging Gov. Jay Inslee to a debate solely on homelessness and mental health. When the Inslee camp didn’t bite, Bryant doubled down by touring several homeless camps in Western Washington, including “The Jungle” a fairly notorious site in Seattle. Maybe that would be a good venue for a debate, he said. 

The governor traveled a bit, too, but to Spokane for a briefing on how things were going with Eastern Washington wildfires.

The Bryant challenge comes as the campaigns are allegedly negotiating the details of proposed televised debates to be sponsored by a coalition of news media outlets and civic organizations that could follow the national presidential debates. 

Jamal Raad, Inslee campaign spokesman, wouldn't bite on a debate solely on homelessness and mental health but added “I’m sure those issues will come up” in any future meeting.



The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.