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

Gary Schimmels

A candidate for Spokane Valley City Council pos. 4, City of Spokane Valley in the 2013 Aug. 6 Primary

Age: 89

City: Spokane Valley , WA

Occupation: Deputy Mayor

Gary Schimmels, 75, owned and operated a local locksmith business from 1998 to 2007. He attended Eastern Washington University prior to serving two years in the Army, and was a construction industry employee/owner/operator from 1964 to 1994. He has served on the City Council since Spokane Valley incorporated in 2003. In the 2009 election Schimmels ran on the “Positive Change” slate with four challengers who unseated the incumbents. He has been selected by his fellow council members to serve as Deputy Mayor. Schimmels has argued against spending down the city’s reserves, but is willing to do so to pay for the Sullivan Bridge replacement and funding two new police officers. He doesn’t favor any tax increases now, but “in future years saying ‘no’ or ‘never’ may not apply or be an option.”

Race Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Ed Pace 3,659 52%
Gary Schimmels 3,378 48%

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Incumbents survive their primary challenges

Washington voters – or at least the relative few that cast ballots in the summer primary – seemed willing to stick with the familiar Tuesday. Turnout was light in most areas, but incumbents seeking to extend their terms in office survived primaries for the Spokane City Council, Spokane Valley City Council and the 7th District state Senate race.