Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

State Senator

Election Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Michael Padden (R) 21,270 100%

* 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

Legislators are paid $42,106 annually, plus healthcare benefits. Senate terms are four years.

The Candidates

Michael Padden

Party:
Republican
Age:
77
City:
Spokane Valley, WA
Occupation:
Retired district court judge

A longtime Spokane Valley lawyer who was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1980, Padden served seven terms in the Legislature before being appointed Spokane County District Court judge in 1995. He's married with five grown sons.

Complete Coverage

Judge, county argue pay

A Spokane County Superior Court judge believes she’s being treated unfairly by the county when it comes to cashing out unused vacation time, saying many of her colleagues were allowed to collect tens of thousands of dollars in such compensation while she’s being denied. Superior Court Judge Annette Plese sued the county over $15,800 worth of paid vacation hours she believes she’s due from 2009, when she ended her service as a Spokane County District Court judge and was elected to her current position on the Spokane County Superior Court bench.

Special Session Day 30: Moving toward a deal

None

Senate budget includes funds for Sally’s

Funding for the Salvation Army’s Sally’s House, a safe harbor for children who have been abused or neglected, or whose parents have been jailed, was included in a budget passed early Saturday morning by 22 Senate Republicans and three Democrats, said State Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, a supporter of Sally’s House. That budget replaced a budget proposed by Senate Democrats that also included funding for the house. However, a budget written and passed by House Democrats, as well as Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposed budget, cut all state funding for receiving care centers, including Sally’s House.

Bill protects charity aid for eyes, ears

OLYMPIA – The Legislature gave final approval this week to a bill that will allow charities like the Union Gospel Mission to distribute used eyeglasses. After several trips back and forth between the two chambers, the House of Representatives gave unanimous approval to HB 2261, which allows charities to provide glasses and hearing aids to poor or uninsured people without worrying about lawsuits.

Eyeglass bill gets final passage

None

Legislators approve easing glasses rules

OLYMPIA – Groups like the Union Gospel Mission could go back to dispensing donated eyeglasses to the poor this summer if legislation to protect charities with such programs comes into a little sharper focus in the Legislature. The House and Senate both passed separate bills Thursday that protect charities by giving them immunity from lawsuits when they distribute free eyeglasses after the recipient is examined by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

WA Lege working on eyeglass problem

None

Senate approves same-sex marriage

OLYMPIA – With votes to spare, the state Senate passed a bill to allow same-sex couples to marry in Washington, sending it to the House of Representatives, where it also has enough votes to pass. The House is expected to take up the measure next week.

Budgeters put tough decisions on hold

OLYMPIA – For two weeks, legislators have heard emotional, sometimes angry testimony against major cuts to state programs and in favor of raising taxes. Monday, it became apparent they will do neither. At least not this month, in the special session called to address the shortfall.

Allen wins second count, but a third awaits

None

Mapping the Undervotes in 4th Senate race

None

Recounts moved to Wednesday

None

Recounts start Tuesday

None

Vote recount will test new machines

Spokane County election officials took advantage Thursday of an opportunity to test their vote-counting machines for free. The county Canvassing Board – Auditor Vicky Dalton, Commissioner Al French and County Attorney Jim Emacio – reversed course and decided to use the machines for a mandatory recount in a close Spokane City Council race.

State Senate incumbent bankrolls ballot recount

Former state Sen. Jeff Baxter is paying for a partial recount of ballots in his unsuccessful bid to retain his seat despite losing the race by more than 3,400 votes. Baxter’s opponent in the contest, Mike Padden, was sworn in as senator representing the Spokane Valley’s 4th Legislative District on Tuesday soon after the Spokane County Canvassing Board certified the results.

Baxter pays for recount

None

Spec Sess Day 2: Padden sworn in

None

Baxter will keep seat warm an extra day

Because of a quirk in state law, Spokane’s 4th Legislative District will have one senator for the first day of the upcoming special session and a different senator for the rest of it. Republican Mike Padden is the apparent winner of the race to fill a seat that came open earlier this year when veteran Sen. Bob McCaslin resigned for health reasons. Padden has a mathematically insurmountable lead over Jeff Baxter, a fellow Republican appointed to the seat earlier this year.