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Sixth District donnybrook
He’s the incumbent. He’s his party’s whip in the state Senate. He has more campaign money and a diverse list of backers that includes unions and large businesses. But in his run for re-election, Democrat Chris Marr is the underdog. His opponent, Republican Michael Baumgartner, garnered more votes in the August primary, even though the business and military consultant was mostly unknown locally before he announced his candidacy shortly after moving to Spokane in January.
Mager fires back at French
County Commissioner Bonnie Mager said Friday that her election challenger, Al French, was hypocritical when he accused her of wanting to make tax increases easier. “I think somebody who actually authored a new tax is a little out of line to try to throw mud at me for just wanting the county to have what he already enjoyed in the city,” Mager said.
Incumbent, attorney face off in District Court race
A young attorney who has big ideas on how to make court more efficient is taking on a one-term judge who said her life experiences have made her better at making tough decisions. Defense attorney Timothy Note, 35, is challenging Spokane County District Court Judge Debra Hayes in the Spokane area’s only contested judicial race on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.
Both liquor initiatives take control from state
Washington voters may think they’re seeing double this fall when they scan the Nov. 2 ballot. Two separate initiatives ask them to do something the state has studied for years but failed to enact: end state control of liquor sales and distribution. The ballot titles of Initiatives 1100 and 1105 may seem nearly identical, and both measures would close state-run stores where customers now must go to buy liquor. In general, retailers who sell beer and wine could start selling gin, vodka, tequila and bourbon if they obtained a license from the state.
Rally to bring out labor voters focuses on I-1082, Boeing bid
An initiative that would privatize Washington’s workers’ compensation system is one of the key issues that will bring the state’s union members to the polls, labor leaders said at a Spokane rally Wednesday. Al Link, secretary-treasurer of the Washington State Labor Council, joined hundreds of workers at the rally at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. Link said the workers’ compensation system is “probably the number one priority” for the labor council.
Arizona lawman endorses Labrador
Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona, who has been called “America’s toughest sheriff,” was in Coeur d’Alene on Monday to deliver his anti-illegal-immigration message at an annual Republican fundraiser. In the process, Arpaio, who also is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for alleged violations of inmates’ civil rights, endorsed Republican Raul Labrador, who is campaigning to unseat first-term Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick. Arpaio said he believes Labrador “will help America solve the problem of illegal immigration.”
Con: Initiative 1098 would hurt economy
Let me start by saying that I am a lucky guy. I’m a self-made man who retired at 33, is way overmarried to a fabulous physician and is blessed with three great kids who are in a wonderful local school. I was raised by two hardworking school teachers in Spokane and received a good public education.
Pro: Initiative 1098 is about fairness
I am proud to be chairman of Red Lion Hotels Corporation and former CEO, but my thoughts on the importance of Initiative 1098 are my personal observations. However, it is the 40 years helping build and lead a company that forms my conviction on why we really need 1098.
Baumgartner and Marr: Privatization
Washington state Sen. Chris Marr, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner discuss their positions on privatization of liquor sales and the state’s ferry system.