The Spokane Ethics Commission ruled quickly on Wednesday against a complaint filed against Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin.   Rev. … Read more

State Rep. Andy Billig, a Democrat, and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican, discuss their opinions about taxes. The two are running for state Senate in Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District. Read more

Andy Billig and Nancy McLaughlin are well-known and, judging by past election results, popular. And that’s what makes the race for the state Senate seat currently held by Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown much more interesting than any recent November election in the 3rd Legislative District. Read more

State Rep. Andy Billig, a Democrat, and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican, discuss their opinions about abortion policy. The two are running for state Senate in Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District. Read more

State Rep. Andy Billig, a Democrat, and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican, discuss their opinions about education funding and taxes. The two are running for state Senate in Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District. Read more

State Rep. Andy Billig, a Democrat, and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican, discuss their opinions about renewable energy. The two are running for state Senate in Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District. Read more

And the North Spokane freeway. Read more

State Rep. Andy Billig, a Democrat, and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican, discuss their ideas about completing the North Spokane freeway and the proposed electric bus system in central Spokane. The two are running for state Senate in Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District. Read more

Today, we launch a series of videos on local election, giving candidates a chance to explain their platform and positions on several issues. We'll start with the race for state Senate in central Spokane between state Rep. Andy Billig and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin. Watch for videos later this week in which McLaughlin and Billig answer questions on energy, transportation and education funding. Read more

State Rep. Andy Billig, a Democrat, and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican, make their case about why they feel they’re the best choice to represent the state Senate in Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District. Read more

Nancy McLaughlin's campaign for state Senate greatly exaggerated her opponent's stance on income taxes. So much so, that she apologized to Democrat Andy Billig for the falsehoods her campaign used in literature during the primary after a complaint was filed with the state's Public Disclosure Commission. Even so, Republicans apparently aren't taking the issue off the table for the general election. Earlier this month, the county Republican Party issued a press release attacking Billig for declining to rule out income taxes as part of some kind of tax reform. It's not surprising that the issue has been raised again. … Read more

One of the first things a candidate does these days, after announcing he or she wants to do good things for the good people of this good community, is get a website. While any campaign website worth its salt must offer a chance to become a fan on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, on contribute via PayPal, the main purpose is to give voters something about the candidate’s background (Click here for BIO) and ideas (Click here for Issues). But when voters read a candidates websites, or an e-mail or a campaign letter, for that matter, should they expect the candidate wrote it? Or that the candidate read and approved it? Or that the candidate is simply responsible for it? These are the questions facing Republican state Senate candidate Nancy McLaughlin, as a Democratic group takes issue with her website’s issues page, as well as some other campaign material. … Read more

ANDY BILLIG, Democrat 1. Why do you feel that you are the best candidate? I have a successful record of delivering results on the issues most important to our community: jobs, health care and education. Job creation is my top priority, and I am uniquely qualified in this area with 20 years of experience leading a successful small business and a positive record in the Legislature. I am committed to supporting great public schools, protecting women’s reproductive health rights and safeguarding the Spokane River. As State Senator, I will continue to advocate for our community values of justice, freedom and equal opportunity while maintaining a clear focus on jobs and a prosperous Spokane for everyone. Read more

NANCY MCLAUGHLIN, Republican 1. Why do you feel that you are the best candidate? As your city councilwoman, I have been in touch with moms and dads, singles, retirees, employers and employees of Spokane. I understand your frustration with reduced job opportunities, high taxes and fees and extensive regulations. That’s why I voted against the $20 car tab fee and excessive water rates. I can be a greater part of the solution as your senator. With fair, common sense leadership I can help ensure a climate for job creation, education reforms to include more local control and accountability, and sustainable budgets that won’t leave an oppressive debt burden on our children and grandchildren. Read more

Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin publicly apologized this week to her opponent in the race for state Senate for using false information on a campaign mailer she sent before last month’s primary. Her apology was made as the state Public Disclosure Commission began inquiring about the mailer in response to a formal complaint. Read more

Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin publicly apologized this week to her opponent in her race for state Senate for using false information on a campaign mailer she sent before last month’s primary. Her apology was made as the state Public Disclosure Commission began inquiring about the mailer in response to a formal complaint. McLaughlin, a Republican, now acknowledges that state Rep. … Read more

Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart said Thursday that he didn't give City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin permission to use a picture of him on a campaign mailer for state Senate. McLaughlin, a Repbulican, is running for state Senate seat that represents central Spokane against Democratic state Rep. Andy Billig. The mailer, which began arriving in mailboxes this week, includes a picture of McLaughlin with Stuckart, Mayor David Condon and council members Mike Allen, Mike Fagan and Steve Salvatori. Stuckart said in an interview that the picture was taken at a bill signing earlier this year. “I endorsed Andy Billig the day he declared for the state Senate,” Stuckart said in a written statement. … Read more

Everyone thinking about running for political office this year, take note: You have less than a week to make up your mind. Everyone talking about running and acting like they’re already a full-fledged candidate, take note: It’s not official until you file your paperwork and pay your fee. Candidate filing week starts Monday morning, and ends when the office where that paperwork and fee must be deposited closes on Friday. … Read more

The field to replace state Rep. Andy Billig is getting larger. Former City Councilman Bob Apple today became the fifth person to say he will run for the Third Legislative District House seat that Billig is leaving to run for state Senate. Apple, 56, joins Democratic candidates City Councilman Jon Snyder; downtown businessman John Waite; and Marcus Riccell, senior policy analyst to state Sen. … Read more

State Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown perhaps was too prepared for her re-election bid. She already had ordered her campaign signs when she made the surprise announcement last week that she would not seek a new term. Read more