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Matt Shea to seek third term in state House
Spokane Valley Republican Matt Shea will seek a third term in the state House of Representatives, not the open seat on the Spokane County Board of Commissioners. Shea had been mentioned as a possible contender for the commission seat after two-term incumbent Mark Richard announced last week he would not run for re-election. Wednesday morning, however, Shea scheduled a formal kickoff for a House re-election campaign for Tuesday evening at Felts Field.
Roth still has itch to run for president
Spokane radio talk show host Laurie Roth has lost her bid for the Constitution Party’s presidential nomination, but now is considering a run as a tea party independent. That’s a tough route to the White House, she conceded in typically colorful language Tuesday: “It’s going to be like climbing up Mount Everest in a bikini with no oxygen. I think my country’s worth it.”
Cowan opens campaign office
As a political novice running against a member of the congressional leadership, Rich Cowan said he hopes to use what some would consider his weakness against what many would consider Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ strength. “This is the worst Congress ever, and she’s part of the leadership of it,” said Cowan, who opened a campaign headquarters Tuesday in Spokane.
Republicans vying for Ahern’s seat
A pair of Republicans will compete against a former Democratic legislator for a newly open seat in the state House in Spokane’s 6th Legislative District. Larry Keller, the superintendent of the Cheney School District, and Spokane attorney Jeff Holy will try to keep Rep. John Ahern’s seat in Republican hands, while Dennis Dellwo will try to return to the Legislature after a 16-year absence, and in a new district.
McMorris Rodgers could balance Republican ticket
Being mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate is something like being nominated for an Oscar or an Emmy: One should sound flattered, but not too confident of being the ultimate selection. So it’s not surprising that Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, an Eastern Washington Republican serving her fourth term, deflects questions about the frequent mentions in the political columns and blogs that she might be Mitt Romney’s running mate.
Democratic caucuses cover issues large, small
With the hotly contested race for the Republican presidential nomination dominating headlines for months, Washington voters might assume there’s nothing for Democrats to do this spring. They’d be wrong.
Spokane to host Inslee, McKenna for governor debate
The likely Republican and Democratic candidates for governor will debate this June in Spokane. An on-again, off-again matchup of state Attorney General Rob McKenna and former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee in front of a major state business group appears on again, for good. The Association of Washington Business announced, and the campaigns confirmed, Inslee and McKenna will debate at the Bing Crosby Theater on June 12 as part of the group’s quarterly meeting, in an event co-sponsored by Greater Spokane Incorporated. As recently as Monday, the Inslee campaign was refusing to debate at that particular time and place, accusing the AWB of bad faith in announcing the event before all details were worked out.
Measure 1 campaign pulls McLaughlin ad
The campaign to extend taxes to pay for the expansion of the Spokane Convention Center and Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena has pulled a TV ad featuring Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin. Citizens for Jobs Now has developed a series of commercials each featuring two people who often represent competing interests, including messages with a Democrat and a Republican and another with a union member and a business owner. In each ad each spokesperson says that despite their usual differences, they both support Measure 1, the Spokane Public Facilities District tax plan that pays for the Convention Center and arena expansions.
Councilwoman seeks to unseat state Senate majority leader
The Democratic majority leader of the Washington Senate is facing her first reelection challenge by an opponent with a winning campaign history. Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican, launched her campaign to unseat state Sen. Lisa Brown on Tuesday at a small gathering in front of Madison Elementary School, where she once served as a Parent Teacher Organization president.