VA employee running for council

A Veterans Affairs employee who describes himself as “an average Joe” is the latest Spokane resident to file for a seat on the City Council.

Robert E. Stokes Jr. said Tuesday he’s running for the seat in the Northeast Council District because he sees it as a chance to “step up and help solve some problems.” He said he’s noticed an increase in bickering in city government, both among the council members and between the council and the mayor.

Stokes lists public safety as one of his main concerns, but acknowledges he doesn’t have ready answers on how to improve what amounts to the city’s largest general fund expense.

“I’m not going to make empty promises to get myself elected,” he said.

Stokes, 38, works as a health benefits adviser at the VA Medical Center. He said he has lived in Spokane since 1995, is married and has three children.

“I’m just an average citizen from northeast Spokane. If you want to elect an average Joe, that’s me,” he said.

Although he has been interested in politics for years, as a federal employee he is limited by the Hatch Act to running only for nonpartisan office. He’s launching his first campaign because “it felt like the right time.”

He’ll be competing for a seat occupied by Bob Apple, who has announced plans to seek re-election. Donna McKereghan, a neighborhood activist in Logan Neighborhood, also has said she plans to run.

Candidates can continue to file for city and town offices, as well as spots on school, fire, water and sewer districts, through 5 p.m. Friday.