Older, More Conservative Hasson Jumps To Gop County Commissioner Proclaims New Allegiance On Radio Talk Show

Saying he has to be “true to myself,” Spokane County Commissioner Steve Hasson on Wednesday declared his allegiance to the Republican Party and then took a telephone call from U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt.

Hasson, twice elected commissioner as a Democrat, said he’s become more conservative as he’s grown older and now considers his philosophy in line with the GOP.

Hasson proclaimed himself a Republican on a live radio talk show hosted by Richard Clear. He was flanked by Phil Harris, a county commissioner, Clark Hager, a Spokane Valley newspaper publisher, and Duane Sommers, the county GOP chairman.

After the news, Nethercutt, a freshman congressman, called the show to welcome Hasson to the fold.

“I hope there will be many more like Steve,” said Nethercutt. “We need to have more conversions.”

Hasson said many at the Spokane Club, where he works out during lunch, congratulated him on the move.

But Clear and Hasson both said the move is likely to be another much-talked about ripple in an already controversial career.

“He’s obviously created controversy and this will create more,” said Clear.

Hasson moved to the Spokane Valley to run for county commissioner against a Republican whose political base was on the South Hill. He gained notoriety in the campaign by standing on a street corner and waving.

His image was seen on television in 1992 as he ran down an alley to escape talking with the press about winning a close election against Jack Hebner.

More recently, he was ridiculed for chastising a Boy Scout who had volunteered to paint signs on county storm drains that warned about illegal dumping.

Although his office is open and accessible, Hasson is consistently tardy or absent from important county meetings.

In fact, while talking on the radio Wednesday he missed a meeting with a consultant who is analyzing the county’s sewer program.

Said one caller to Clear’s show, a woman named Marge who identified herself as a Republican, “This is a guy who slips back and forth. He’s earned his reputation - this guy is a clown.”