Kate Burke
A candidate for Spokane City Council, northeast council district, City of Spokane in the 2017 Washington General Election, Nov. 7
Party: No party
Age: 35
Occupation: Legislative aide for state Sen. Andy Billig
Her words: "After working in the nonprofit sector for so long, and then changing over to writing policy with Sen. Billig, I saw how many more people's lives you can touch with good policy. I've always wanted to run, since probably the seventh grade, but that kind of solidified the fact that I was doing the right thing."
Her pitch: A career spent advocating on behalf of nonprofit groups, like the Spokane Edible Tree Project and Project Hope, has prepared Burke to champion projects affecting northeast Spokane at City Hall, she said. A vision of that older, more impoverished part of town that is revitalized by targeted investments like what has occurred in Hillyard and other neighborhoods in town will drive her work at City Hall. Burke also said her contacts from working in Olympia will allow her to tap into relationships that could benefit Spokane through grants and other opportunities.
Work experience: Current legislative aide to state Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane. Previously served on board of directors for Project Hope, a West Central-based nonprofit promoting job training and other social services through training on small urban farms. Founded the Spokane Edible Tree Project, a volunteer group collecting fruit from trees in public areas of Spokane that are donated to local food banks.
Education: Received associate's degree from Spokane Falls Community College. Graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 2007.
Political experience: Filed to run for Spokane Public Schools school board, but dropped out to eventually support Jerrall J. Haynes.
Family: Unmarried, but has a partner. Mom, dad and brother all live in Spokane.
Neighborhood: Nevada Heights
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Kate Burke (N) | 4,799 | 58.32% |
| Tim Benn (N) | 3,430 | 41.68% |
Related Coverage
Kate Burke takes oath for Spokane City Council seat
Spokane’s newest city councilwoman takes the seat that will be vacated by longtime Councilwoman Amber Waldref, representing Spokane’s northeast district. A gathering of friends, family and local lawmakers observed her ceremonial swearing-in at City Hall on Thursday night.
Breean Beggs, Kate Burke, Candace Mumm coast to victories in Spokane City Council races
Early ballot returns indicate the Spokane City Council will retain its progressive-leaning majority, as voters gave comfortable leads to a slate of candidates endorsed by Ben Stuckart in what became a costly and sometimes bitter campaign in the final few weeks.
Stuckart abruptly ends City Council meeting amid criticism of sexual harassment handling
The city council president, who recently apologized for his handling of sexual harassment allegations brought to him by political ally and city council candidate Kate Burke, abruptly ended a meeting Monday night where speakers urged lawmakers to take harassment seriously.
Fundraising, outside spending reach historic highs in Spokane City Council races
For the first time in at least a decade, spending by outside groups in this year’s City Council races reached all corners of the city. Through Friday, more than $372,000 had been raised for the three of the contests that will be decided next week, with 1 in 4 of those dollars coming from a group working independently of the candidates.
Council candidate Kate Burke’s story of sexual harassment prompts apology from political ally Ben Stuckart
The candidate for Spokane’s City Council seat in the northeast said she accepts the council president’s invitation to work on sexual harassment policies at City Hall, after she was critical of his response to her own story of harassment by former City Councilman Richard Rush. Burke said she’s having to unfairly answer questions about the timing of her story, given the approaching election.
Editorial: Burke gets the nod for City Council
As campaigners, Kate Burke and Tim Benn say similar things, but they have support from opposing political forces. Voting for either will require a leap of faith if the goal is to place a nonpartisan, moderate person on the council.
Northeast Spokane City Council candidates campaigning in defiance of partisan labels
Kate Burke and Tim Benn say the problems facing the district they hope to represent transcend party politics. But a clear ideological divide has sprouted around their candidacies.
Beggs and Mumm post strong showings in Spokane City Council primaries, Burke and Benn face off in northeast
The two incumbents on the primary ballots for Spokane City Council earned the majority of votes counted Tuesday in their districts. Kate Burke will square off against Tim Benn in northeast Spokane.
Mumm faces two challengers, criticism of City Hall’s business acumen in race for northwest Spokane seat
Brian Burrow, a project manager, and Matthew Howes, owner of a north side restaurant and pub, said they’ll do more to promote and assist businesses in town than the current City Council and incumbent Candace Mumm.
Editorial: Alexander a fresh voice for council
Alexander strikes us as an independent thinker who would provide a fresh perspective.