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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

County Commission, Dist. 2

Election Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Shelly O’Quinn (R) 113,996 54.56%
Daryl Romeyn (D) 94,930 45.44%

* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.

About The Race

This is a race to replace Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard, who decided against seeking a third term. Commissioners oversee county government, including budgets and employee contracts. They serve on countywide boards for transit, health, transportation, airport and clean air. In the primary election, only voters from within the commission district decide which candidates advance to the general election, Candidates advance through the primary election solely on the ballots cast by voters in their commission district, then Voters nominate candidates by district. Then, they run countywide in the general election. Salary: $100,942, including car and cellphone allowances.

Spokane County commissioners serve four-year terms and are paid $93,000 a year plus healthcare and other benefits.

The Candidates

Shelly O'Quinn

Party:
Republican
Age:
48
City:
Spokane, WA

Education: Graduated from Central Valley High School. Earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Whitworth University and a master’s in business administration from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.

Political experience: Elected to the Spokane County Commission in 2012. Ran unsuccessfully for state House of Representatives in 2010.

Work experience: Worked for Greater Spokane Inc., Habitat for Humanity and the Inland Northwest Community Foundation in Spokane. Led the George Nethercutt Foundation as executive director. Worked with World Vision developing small businesses in Honduras. Directed a mission for First United Methodist Church in Stuart, Florida.

Family: Divorced. Has two children.

Daryl Romeyn

Party:
Democrat
Age:
65
City:
Greenacres, WA

Complete Coverage

Clark: That’s one solution to bloated government

I couldn’t be more impressed by the $2.8 million upgrade being planned for Spokane Indians Stadium* by the county. (* I truly hate using that sterile, commercialized A-word when referring to the name of our beloved ball field.)

O’Quinn sworn in as commissioner

Shelly O’Quinn was sworn in Thursday as Spokane’s newest county commissioner. She replaces outgoing Commissioner Mark Richard, who did not seek a third term. Superior Court Judge Harold Clarke delivered the oath, but before he did, he told O’Quinn that the job will be challenging and rewarding.

Mapping the Vote: O’Quinn leads Romeyn

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Republicans Mielke, O’Quinn lead commission races

Republicans are poised to retain control of the Spokane County Board of Commissioners as two races on Tuesday’s ballot were leaning toward the GOP candidates in initial returns. Republican Commissioner Todd Mielke was leading Democrat John Roskelley for the District 1 seat.

Doug Clark: Nov. 7 the only cure for electionitis

Thought I was coming down with the flu at first. Dull headache. Depression. Irritability …

O’Quinn, a GSI director, says she has right skills to be commissioner

Shelly O’Quinn wants to make a difference, she says. So she’s running as a Republican for an open seat on the Spokane Board of County Commissioners. At 37, O’Quinn believes her job experience and education qualify her.

Romeyn campaign focused on small business, public land

Former television newsman Daryl Romeyn is making a second run at elective office this fall in a race for an open seat on the Spokane County Board of Commissioners. Romeyn, a Democrat, is facing Republican Shelly O’Quinn, also in her second attempt to win an election.

How excited are voters for the primary?

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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.

Democrats see opportunity in 5th District

A former dean of Gonzaga University Law School is among the Democrats considering a campaign against Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers next year. Dan Morrissey, who served as dean from 2001-’04 and now teaches corporate law at the school, said he is exploring his prospects for a race and expects to decide by next month.

GU professor could challenge McMorris Rodgers

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