Chamberlain joins race for county commission

The field is crowding in the Democratic primary for the chance to run against incumbent county Commissioner Phil Harris.

Barb Chamberlain, a former Idaho legislator, filed campaign papers this week stating her intention to run for Harris’ seat, which represents the southwest part of the county.

“There are several of us who are very concerned about the policy direction of the county,” Chamberlain said, adding that she is disturbed by county growth and development policies.

“I don’t have a sense that we have a vision overall for the county we want to have.”

Chamberlain, 43, joins neighborhood activist Bonnie Mager and former Washington legislator George Orr in the Democratic fight.

Harris is running unopposed in the GOP primary.

Chamberlain said she was encouraged to run by several Democrats and former Republican county Commissioner Kate McCaslin.

“More and more party labels are just becoming meaningless to me,” said McCaslin, who said she made the decision to back Chamberlain after investigating her work and meeting with her.

The county’s last Democratic commissioner, John Roskelley, said McCaslin’s support could mean a lot in the race.

“Kate is well liked in this county,” Roskelley said. “She broached both sides of the aisle.”

Roskelley said he won’t endorse a candidate in the race because it could conflict with his membership on the Growth Management Hearings Board.

Harris said he doesn’t think McCaslin’s endorsement changes the dynamics of the race because he has support from many who once voted for her.

The entry of Chamberlain could motivate his supporters and cause more people to give to his campaign, he added.

“I see a race here that will really get me motivated,” Harris said.

A graduate of University High School, Chamberlain was elected to the Idaho House in 1990 and the Idaho Senate in 1992 while a resident of Post Falls.

Like Orr, who was serving in the Washington House, Chamberlain lost her seat in 1994 elections.

She lives on the South Hill and is the communication and public affairs director for Washington State University’s Spokane campus.

Running for a fourth term, Harris has displayed considerable ability to raise money and his $1,000-a-plate breakfast earlier this year generated about $40,000.

As of May, Harris had collected $62,000, compared with $11,000 raised by Orr and $7,000 by Mager.

Only voters in Harris’ district will vote in the Sept. 19 primary.

The district is generally south of Lake Spokane and west of U.S. Highway 195, but includes a large portion of the city of Spokane south of Wellesley Avenue.

All county voters can participate in the November election for the seat.

Mager, who has taken a leave as the director of the Neighborhood Alliance of Spokane, said she welcomes Chamberlain to the race but that her own record working for environmental groups and the alliance is a better background for county office.

Orr said Chamberlain’s entry could bring more interest to the race and the party.

“It’s darn good for Democrats,” he said. “The issue is Phil Harris, not me and Bonnie or Barbara.”

County commissioners make $93,000 a year plus a $7,142 annual car allowance.