Catch the candidates

Republicans took their turn Thursday trying to rally the troops for “change,” bringing some stars from past elections to Spokane to ask supporters to work a little harder, a little longer.

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris and Senate candidate Mike McGavick were joined by former Sen. Slade Gorton and former gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi at an evening rally at the Doubletree Hotel.

Both were visible reminders of the importance of getting ballots cast. Gorton lost his re-election to Democrat Maria Cantwell in 2000 by about 2,200 votes, and Rossi lost the governorship in 2004 by 129 votes.

“I’m the poster boy for ‘Every vote counts,’ ” Rossi said.

McGavick was at the rally as part of his “Change for Washington” tour, and his end of the campaign swing through the state. On Wednesday, his opponent Cantwell headed up a rally of Democrats in Spokane at the start of what she labeled her “Checklist for Change” tour.

Other opportunities to see candidates in Tuesday’s election include:

Today

2 p.m. Congressional candidate Peter Goldmark at a press conference on school safety, at University High School, 12420 E. 32nd Ave.

6 p.m. McMorris greeting fans before the Spokane Chiefs game, at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.

Saturday

12:30 p.m. McMorris greeting fans before the WSU football game, Martin Stadium near CUB, Pullman.

12:30 p.m. Spokane-area legislative candidates forum, taped earlier, on Spokane Cable Channel 5.

1 p.m. Goldmark at a rally for veterans, at the Sheetmetal Workers Union Building, 7209 E. Trent in Spokane Valley.

6 p.m. McMorris greeting fans at the GU basketball game, 6 p.m., Southeast entrance, McCarthey Center.

An ongoing schedule of political events is online at spokesmanreview.com/blogs /spincontrol.

– Jim Camden