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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dennis Hession

A candidate for City Council President, City of Spokane in the 2011 Washington General Election

Age: 74

City: Spokane, WA

Occupation: Attorney and consultant

Education: Graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Salt Lake City, in 1968. Psychology bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University, 1972. Law degree from Gonzaga University in 1980.

Career: Attorney and consultant. Director of special projects for Blue Water Technologies, a firm specializing in wastewater treatment. Served as interim director of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture for about a year starting in 2008.

Political: Elected to Spokane City Council, 2001, Elected City Council president, 2003. Appointed Spokane mayor, 2005 (following recall of Mayor Jim West). Long-time member of Spokane Park Board. Served on numerous governmental and nonprofit boards.

Family: Married. Has four grown children.

Contact information

Race Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Ben Stuckart (N) 29,625 53.24%
Dennis Hession 26,024 46.76%

Details & headlines

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Many candidates, issues familiar from past ballots

Washington voters checking their ballots this weekend for the first time may feel a sense of déjà vu. They voted last year on proposals to get the state out of the liquor business, and in 2008 to require more training for home health care workers. And while it isn’t immediately clear from the ballot language, the initiative on road and bridge tolls resurrects some of last year’s initiative requiring supermajorities in the Legislature.

Hession vs. Stuckart, Tab Tax

Former Mayor Dennis Hession and Ben Stuckart, director of Communities in Schools of Spokane County, debate the $20 annual vehicle tab tax that was approved earlier this year. Hession and Stuckart are running for Spokane City Council president.

Hession vs. Stuckart, Public Comment

Former Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession and Ben Stuckart, director of Communities in Schools of Spokane County, explain how they would run meetings differently than Council President Joe Shogan if they are elected council president.

Hession vs. Stuckart, Introduction

Former Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession and Ben Stuckart, director of Communities in Schools of Spokane County, debate why they feel they are the best candidates to be the next Spokane City Council president.

Hession-Stuckart race is a contrast in styles

Primary election voters in Spokane didn’t seem eager for a change. They gave incumbent Mayor Mary Verner a big victory over her opponents and former Mayor Dennis Hession a first-place win for City Council president as they head to November.

Hession misquotes Lincoln

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Verner doesn’t blame Hession

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