Spokane7
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July 22, 2010 in City
Newcomer battles familiar faces in 6th
Two years ago John Driscoll beat four-term incumbent state Rep. John Ahern by only 72 votes.
This year, the two face off again in the August primary, along with political newcomer Shelly O’Quinn in a three-way primary that has been one of the most contentious for local Republicans.
The top two candidates in the Aug. 17 primary will move to the November election to battle it out for a two-year-term. The job pays about $42,000 a year and comes with health benefits.
As the lone Democrat, Driscoll has the easiest path to the general election, leaving a heated battle between Ahern and O’Quinn for Republican support.
Ahern won the endorsement of the official Spokane County Republican Party, while O’Quinn received the nod of a new startup GOP group, the Republicans of Spokane County.
O’Quinn has raised about $38,000 – more than twice the amount of Ahern. Driscoll has more than $80,000 so far.
The 6th District is one of the most competitive, with candidates spending more than most others statewide to win the seat.
All three candidates rule out tax increases to deal with projected budget shortfalls. Unlike most in his party, Driscoll voted against temporary tax increases, such as the soda and bottled water tax, that were approved this year by the Legislature
Of the three, Ahern has the most conservative views on social issues. He opposes gay marriage and the state’s domestic partner benefit law. Driscoll and O’Quinn support domestic partner benefits, but oppose gay marriage.
Ahern said his eight years in the Legislature and his more than two decades running a business makes him the best candidate. Driscoll says his time in the House and working in the nonprofit sector, business and medical fields will help in essential issues, such as bringing more medical education to Spokane. O’Quinn says her work in business, nonprofits and social services in and out of Spokane gives her a broad understanding that will best serve the public.
MAC faces angry crowd 
ChefGus/ John Olsen on July 22 at 6:42 a.m.
Ms O’Quinn is a bright capable and moderate young woman…. She has a social conscience and has volunteered in non profit’s serving the poor..and should be the Republican Candidate if they had any sense. I hope that she is contrasted and compared to Mr Ahern, who is a 75 Year Old white male…. been there done that…. It will be a cake walk for Mr Driscoll and his moderate and socially responsible approach to our community values. Were I Mr Driscoll i’d be trying to get the Republicans to give me Mr Ahern to run against. We do NOT need to “return” an old white male to our State Government… he is representative of all that has gone bad in our country with the Privatization that continues to wreak havoc on the working class and community of other. John Olsen Spokane
Panorama on July 25 at 12:41 p.m.
ChefGus,
The only reason you complement Ms. O’Quinn is because her views align more with the Democrat Party than Mr. Driscoll’s. She saw that this a going to be a landslide Republican year and she decided that running as a Republican instead of a Democrat would get her into office. This is where the term RINO comes into play.
Mr. Ahern has a list of accomplishments that only a raging libral could ever snub. He passed the states felony DUI law, got the veterans home at St. Luke’s, helped get Eastern Washington the Veteran’s Cemetary, and has never voted for a tax increase or a fee increase.
So, your continued attack on Mr. Ahern tells us that you love to drive drunk, you hate veterans and all they have done for us to protect our freedoms, and you want more taxes.