Plenty Of Reasons Why Voters Said Farewell To Hasson

Sensing defeat the week before the election, an informal group of Steve Hasson supporters reminded suburban voters that Hasson “stood tall” for the Spokane Valley.

“Now it’s your turn to stand tall for him,” read a flier the group distributed in the Valley.

It was a waste of ink. Hasson was trounced in Tuesday’s Republican primary by Kate McCaslin, a conservative activist.

Most residents of Hasson’s district live in the Valley. Although they gave him overwhelming support in 1988 and in 1992, only 22 percent of Valley residents cast ballots for Hasson on Tuesday, compared to 39 percent for McCaslin.

Another Republican, Don Manning, drew 15 percent of the Valley vote, while Democrat Ron Hormann garnered 24 percent.

Predictably, Hasson did worse - and Hormann better - in South Hill precincts that are part of the district.

Even people who predicted McCaslin would beat Hasson were stunned by the gulf between them.

“I told Kate that with Manning running, they would split the (anti-Hasson) vote and Steve would win with a minority,” said Hasson supporter Al Lewis. “I sure missed that one by a mile.”

Why did the Valley abandon Hasson after eight years of support? Not for any one reason, but for a combination of several:

McCaslin’s no push-over.

Her name’s never been on a ballot, but McCaslin has worked on campaigns for everyone from Ronald Reagan to City Councilwoman Roberta Greene.

When McCaslin called in her chips, supporters anted up $50,000 and a crew of 100 seasoned volunteers. Appearing tireless, she crisscrossed the district, knocking on doors and hosting community meetings.

“I think this is the first time he (Hasson) has faced someone who was as willing to put in the time and effort as he was,” said Tom Gregory, a Valley resident and one-time commission candidate.

McCaslin could play the outsider, while benefitting from a name Valley residents have elected four times. Her ex-husband, Bob McCaslin, is running for his fifth term in the state Senate. Every time he drives a campaign sign into the ground, Kate McCaslin indirectly gains recognition.

“They (the McCaslins) got double bang for the buck,” said Democratic party strategist Kay McGloughlin.

Splitting the home turf.

McCaslin was the first serious candidate from the Valley that Hasson has faced. He couldn’t count on his neighbors’ fear of being neglected.

Valley residents received McCaslin mailers promising, “From the Valley, For the Valley.”

Leaving the party without a date.

For eight years, Hasson was the perfect Valley Democrat - meaning he was one in name only. Conservative Republicans were among his supporters.

Switching parties last year cost him the support of stalwart Democrats who had supported him in the past, said McGloughlin.

Democrats hope some of the people who voted for McCaslin did it only to punish Hasson. If so, they may support Hormann in November.

Familiarity breeds contempt.

It’s not impossible for a commissioner to win a third term (Bill Allen was elected five times), but it is tough. Every decision angers someone.

Neighbors may be unhappy with a land-use decision, for instance, or union members about cutbacks in the courthouse.

For Hasson, there was the added burden of behavior many considered unbecoming.

“I’ve heard a lot of people mention the cornbread, the trouble with campaign signs, the trouble with jumping out the window,” said Lewis, reciting key words from some of Hasson’s best-known stunts.

“This is too conservative a community to pull so many of those.”

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