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Obama to campaign for Murray Tuesday in Seattle
President Barack Obama plans to stop in Seattle on Tuesday to campaign for Sen. Patty Murray.
Elections boss: Effort precedes machine counting of ballots
About half of Spokane County voters in Tuesday’s mail-in primary probably have returned their ballots. Typically, though, the rest wait until election day to cast their ballots, according to elections manager Mike McLaughlin.
Vacationing voters give candidates a tough job
Among the most thankless jobs in the world is that of a political candidate in Washington state in the weeks before the August primary. The ability to continue the noble quest for elective office depends on voters who are just returning from vacation, on vacation or preparing for vacation.
Editorial: Take time for informed ballot picks by Tuesday
The following are summaries of The Spokesman-Review’s endorsements in selected primary races. The full editorials are available online.
Ahern and Driscoll - police ombudsman, global warming, abortion
6th Legislative District incumbent John Driscoll and challenger John Ahern discuss police ombudsman rules, global warming and their stances on abortion in separate interviews.
Anti-Marr mailer draws fire
In Tuesday’s primary elections, voters can pick a candidate for the state senate in Eastern Washington’s most competitive legislative district, but both choices are assured of winning a spot in November’s final showdown. Even so, the race between Sen. Chris Marr and his GOP rival, Michael Baumgartner, in the 6th Legislative District has turned into one of the nastiest primaries in the region, with accusations of ignorance, mismanagement and carpetbagging dominating the debate.
O’Quinn campaign clarifies statements on polling data
The campaign of Republican legislative candidate Shelly O’Quinn, which claimed in e-mails to GOP officials that polls showed her “blowing away the competition,” acknowledged Thursday that no such specific polling exists. The revelation came after a complaint was filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission, questioning why O’Quinn’s campaign hadn’t listed polling expenses even though O’Quinn’s campaign manager had boasted about poll data in e-mails. Polling expenses must be reported under state law.
Candidate sues another over contract
Spokane County assessor candidate Sadie Charlene Cooney is suing prosecutor candidate Frank Malone for alleged failure to pay an $81,077 debt. The dispute springs from a contract in which Malone purchased the law firm of Cooney’s late husband, Joseph M. Cooney.
Ballots must be sent by Tuesday
More than 20 percent of ballots mailed to Spokane County voters for Tuesday’s primary election have been returned so far.
Salvatori lambastes French mailing
County commissioner candidate Steve Salvatori says a weekend “attack” mailing by rival Al French improperly put words in his mouth. “Steve says, ‘Zoom,’ ” according to the mailing, which facetiously shows Salvatori and fellow Republican candidate Jeff Holy standing on the track at the Spokane County Raceway in orange jumpsuits and racing helmets.
Apple disputes allegations of unpaid bills
A Spokane Valley roofing business is accusing legislative candidate and Spokane City Councilman Bob Apple of not paying for nearly $9,000 in supplies. But Apple says it’s really Systems Roofers Supply Inc. that owes him money. He says the company, owned by MacArthur Co., is slandering him in the midst of an election.
Apple, Billig, Chadez, White part 3: Budget cuts
Candidates for the Washington state House in the 3rd Legislative District (Position 1) Bob Apple, Andy Billig, Louise Chadez and Dave White answer the question: “What cuts would you make to help balance the budget?”
With voter approval, campus would provide technical training
Voters in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland school districts will go to the polls Aug. 24 to decide whether they’ll pay for the $9.5 million construction of a professional-technical high school on the Rathdrum Prairie. The Kootenai Technical Education Campus is envisioned as a way to develop more skilled tradespeople for the area. It is projected to open in fall 2013 with 180 students who would split their time between the technical school and their regular high school, with available slots divided among the three school districts.
Challengers to Sanders perk up state court ballot
OLYMPIA – Washington state Supreme Court Justice Richard Sanders is no stranger to controversy, and his bid to seek a fourth term has led to an unusually spirited campaign that may extend beyond the primary. Sanders has drawn two opponents, former Court of Appeals Judge Charlie Wiggins and Pierce County Superior Court Judge Bryan Chushcoff.