February 11, 2011 in News, City

Baxter tapped to assume McCaslin’s seat

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Colin Mulvany photo

After being interviewed by Spokane County Commissioners for the appointment to Bob McCaslin’s Senate seat, candidate Jeff Baxter chats with a supporter Friday, Feb. 11, 2011.
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Spokane County commissioners unanimously passed over state Rep. Matt Shea on Friday and appointed Spokane Valley businessman Jeff Baxter to a state Senate vacancy.

Baxter will immediately take over the position longtime Sen. Bob McCaslin abandoned last month because of poor health.

Commissioner Todd Mielke liked the fact that Baxter earns a living from small businesses. Baxter has three companies that provide credit-card and teller-machine services to other small businesses.

Shea is an attorney while the third candidate, 26-year-old Roy Murry, supplements a military pension with a security business.

Mielke also noted that Baxter was the only parent among three candidates presented by the Spokane County Republican Party. State law required commissioners to choose one of the party nominees or pass the decision to Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Baxter emphasized his support for education and his work as a Sunday school teacher in his interview with commissioners. Shea pointed to his experience in the House and his legal training, and Murry billed himself a quick study.

Commissioners pointed out that going with Shea would have created another 4th District vacancy during the current legislative session. Also, Chairman Al French said, Shea would give up leadership positions to become the most junior senator.

“I want to make sure we do no additional harm to the 4th District,” Mielke said.

Murry drew praise for what Commissioner Mark Richard described as “grace” in the face of embarrassing police records that surfaced as a result of his nomination.

All three candidates advocated reducing the scope of government through strict adherence to the state and federal constitutions.

Budget cuts were high on their list of priorities, but Baxter said he probably wouldn’t support a proposed $150 million cut in services that keep mental patients out of the county jail.

Baxter said he would “do my best to work with each and every one of you,” and would not view himself as a “gatekeeper” for county-proposed legislation.

He was responding to a question apparently based on an encounter between Mielke and Shea. Mielke said in a sworn statement that Shea angrily told him, “You need to learn that, if you want anything through this process, you need to talk to me first.”

Although local Republican officials urged commissioners to choose Shea, Chairman Matt Pederson said he was “very excited to have the 4th District back to full representation.”

He said the party will decide later whether to support Shea if he runs for the position in November.

“I look forward to supporting Mr. Baxter as he makes the transition from citizen to senator,” Pederson said. “…Mr. Baxter is a quality candidate.”

A shifting crowd of 30 to 45 people attended Friday’s interviews, which began at 9 a.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m.

Commissioners deliberated in closed session and returned to their hearing room at 4:30 to make their decision.

Baxter was the first to be interviewed, and the first to refuse commissioners’ request for an oath to be truthful. Baxter said he should have been subpoenaed if an oath were necessary.

He noted that commissioners hadn’t previously required oaths when interviewing candidates for political appointments.

Richard said even though state law gives commissioners the power to require an oath, he favored going ahead without one.

French said he also would “like to draw this process to a close,” and Mielke acquiesced reluctantly.

“If there is no obligation to be truthful, then I’m not sure there is any value in continuing this interview process,” Mielke said.

Commissioners decided Wednesday to require oaths after Shea’s legislative assistant asked whether the interviews would be public and under oath. However, French said he came up with the idea earlier in the week, based on his experience as a Spokane city councilman.

“I’d rather let my yeses be yes and my no’s be no,” Murry said.

Shea said his oath of office as a state representative wouldn’t allow him to be sworn by commissioners because legislators are exempt from civil procedures. Mielke said he could do so voluntarily, but Shea disagreed and the issue was dropped – as it was for Baxter and Murry.

Mielke didn’t get a yes-or-no answer when he asked Shea whether his ex-wife correctly stated in divorce papers that Shea was disarmed in Iraq because of an anger problem while serving as an Army National Guard captain.

Instead, Shea said officers can’t be relieved of weapons unless they are arrested and an officer who has been arrested can’t get a bronze star as he did.

All three candidates are veterans. Murry earned a bronze star for valor as an Army National Guard sergeant in Iraq.

His commander, Lt. Col. Thomas Heslin Jr. told commissioners in a letter that Murry, despite being wounded, returned fire in a “complex ambush” and played a “critical” role in the safe escape of a “VIP” Murry’s unit was protecting.

Richard choked with emotion when he said Murry didn’t deserve “what you have been put through from both sides of this.”

He declared that anyone who thought Murry was unqualified for the nomination hadn’t met him.

Murry’s nomination to replace McCaslin drew public attention to a recent arrest in Las Vegas on a firearms charge and a previous conviction in Spokane County for possessing a switchblade knife.

French called Murry “a very engaging young man” when he answered questions with poise, candor and wit.

“Just one?” Murry asked when invited to list a shortcoming he would like to overcome.

Murry told The Spokesman-Review on Thursday that he regretted participating in a plan by pro-Shea Republican precinct officers to make sure Mike Padden wasn’t nominated.

Padden is a former legislator and District Court judge who had McCaslin’s support.

Like Shea, Murry said he would defend the Senate seat in the November general election. Baxter said he hadn’t decided.

“I won’t change my answer,” he said when commissioners pressed for a commitment. “I don’t know what tomorrow holds.”

20 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  rapidfire on February 11 at 5:26 p.m.

  Congratulations to Jeff Baxter. I was pleasantly surprised by the BOCC interview process and the civility of the meeting. Everyone acted in a professional manner and were gentlemen to all.
  The interview with all of the candidates was informative as they all had to answer pointed and informative questions from the County Commissioner.
  Along with the other candidates, Jeff Baxter answered the questions very well and his business experience and personal enthusiasm put him in an obviously favorable light to the audience and the commissioner.

• 

  hawken on February 11 at 5:27 p.m.

  Chalk up another win for the back-room, Spokane, “good ole boy” system.

  The commissioners ignored the Republican Party recommendation and the voice of the people at the ballot box, by not appointing Shea.

  Since when is any political process NOT divisive? It’s like saying you want to go swimming but don’t want to get wet.

  “Divisive” is nothing but a “diversion” to justify Spokane, Republican, back room politics. The party and the people are irrelevant.

  It’s issues like this that cause Spokane Republicans to rightly get pounded by Liberals.

• 

  Descolada on February 11 at 5:30 p.m.

  And will we now see the “moral majority” threaten the entire BOCC because they didn’t appoint the guy they (the “moral majority”) voted in as their next Senator by the “back room” method that they have condemned others for allegedly doing? And of course the huge question is: Will Mr. Baxter run for election this fall. He wouldn’t answer the question when asked by the BOCC. Or is he, as many believe, just a “place holder” for Mr. Shea? Time will tell, eh?

• 

  TheRain on February 11 at 5:31 p.m.

  Oh, snap!

• 

  spokanecougar on February 11 at 5:35 p.m.

  Does it really matter which corrupt politician was placed in the office without any say from the voters?

  Hell, does it even matter when the voters DO have any say in which horribly corrupt politician both parties usually run and force us to vote for in most elections? We are basically always trying to pick the less evil, corrupt career politicians working for lobbyist and large corporations.

• 

  Kirk_Smith_Spokane on February 11 at 5:45 p.m.

  Congratulations Jeff! Best of luck to you in representing your 4th District constituents over in Olympia.

  Thank you Commissioners for doing your job to the best of your abilities.

• 

  reservedparking on February 11 at 5:45 p.m.

  Shea put himself out of the running with his rants & extremism.
  ‘Voice of the people’, Hawken? Really? Shea ran for the House, and won. If he wants the Senate seat, let him run for it.

  Murry, figuratively speaking, shot himself in the foot in Las Vegas.

  Best wishes to Mr. Baxter. Businessman, parent, devoted to educational issues. A good fit for the 4th District,

• 

  paulti on February 11 at 6:22 p.m.

  I love it!! Back room deals plus back room deals equal what no one on either side saw coming…. The best guy for the job was chosen.

• 

  Spokanelaw on February 11 at 6:37 p.m.

  This may result in a very interesting three way race between Senator Baxter, former Judge Mike Padden and Representative Shea. I bet that Baxter learns to like power and other GOP Senators will support him to avoid having to see an incumbent thrown out of office. Padden is a very skilled politician with deep conections through out the 4th Legislative District. Shea is unbelievably focused and he will not have to surrender his seat to run this year. Because we have a top two primary system, the 4th LD Democrats, if they are cunning, will get to select the winner.

• 

  Dazzeetrader11 on February 11 at 6:47 p.m.

  Shea did himself harm with all these meanderings. Hawk…I don’t think Shea was the best guy. Just too much baggage in his file.
  Murry may have a future. Baxter looks like a decent guy.
  Padden should run in Summer. He’s got wealth of experience with clean CV.

  Commissioners got this one right.. November the voters can chose. It’s the best way if there’s nothing to fear….no it’s the best way. period.

• 

  zelda on February 11 at 7:21 p.m.

  The commishs went with Mr. Obvious and covered their butts by heaping praise and smiles on the loony-toon candidates. A well-oiled machine.

• 

  timcarson on February 11 at 7:22 p.m.

  Good job and congratulations Jeff…and commissioners. Sometimes specific job knowledge is not a pre-requisite of projected performance. Character, credibility, honesty are just a few and Jeff shines there. Matt will continue to do just fine in the legislature. Great team and representation for the 4th district!

• 

  Scoutster on February 11 at 7:47 p.m.

  Well done commissioners and congrats to Sen-select Baxter.

  We’ll let the voters decide in September.

  A good day for democracy in many corners of the world.

• 

  DickAdams on February 11 at 8:05 p.m.

  In my previous life I worked for a Railroad for well over 30 years, so I know when some one is railroaded. Its a shame Shea was outed.

• 

  misjustice on February 11 at 8:10 p.m.

  Dick, lol!

  I think that the best person was chosen, given all of the circumstances. Congrats Mr. Baxter.

• 

  D Statler on February 11 at 8:46 p.m.

  Congrats Jeff and to the 4th district constituants for getting someone with tons of common sense to Olympia. I have faith that Mr. Baxter and Mr. Shea will be a great team for us. Working together, they will bring a loud statement from Eastern Washington.
  Thanks Commissioner Richard for taking the time to post up and keep us informed.I may accuse the Commissioners of burying your heads in the sand with all the police and legal justice issues in Spokane.I too need to come to our County meetings for input. Keeping preasure on our Sheriffs,Police, Prosecutors and Judges to take the high road is imperative to restoring faith.We have a good start for change.
  Now get on over there Jeff an make us proud! ThankYou for stepping up to the task.Special thanks to Your Mrs. and Son’s for helping :^)

• 

  james_l on February 11 at 8:47 p.m.

  To quote DickAdams: “Its a shame Shea was outed.”

  Curious choice of wording. Perhaps that is the reason Shea was not selected; he was outed for being an unstable extremist.

  Meanwhile, the three County Commissioners conducted themselves in a responsible, professional manner and selected the person they felt would be best for the position.

  Congratulations to Mr. Baxter and kudos to the BOCC for conducting a reasoned, deliberative process and not bowing to the threats and intimidation.

• 

  de3 on February 11 at 9:34 p.m.

  I suspect this choice was pre-ordained in backroom dealings, as the article implies. I don’t think Shea was likely to be in serious contention as the local power brokers didn’t particularly like him (even if the voters of his district seem to). Baxter has connections to the local wealthy in his work as a financial adviser. He was the one they wanted - the trick was to stack the slate so that he was the only candidate that could be seriously considered.

  I have no idea how he will do as a state senator - my point is that around here, little happens without the local power brokers providing a strong guiding hand.

  Yes there will be an election this fall. But seriously, 95% of incumbents are returned to office. Which is why this was very important to the local power structure.

• 

  Boxerguy1 on February 11 at 11:28 p.m.

  I wish to thank all three candidates for representing themselves and the Spokane County Republican Party well in the interview process. The 4th should be proud of their open and honest answers to a battery of questions from the BOCC. I pray we can all congratulate the new Senator, Mr. Jeff Baxter, on his success and give him all our support in his efforts to bring fresh ideas to the Senate to solve the financial crisis that overspending has brought to our state. Give him a chance to shine, and to those who wanted Matt Shea to fill the position, be thankful he is working hard in the House and will continue to do so.
  Our task at hand in Spokane, is to work with Mathew Pederson and the Party leadership to start mending the fences and focus on elections to come. I was raised to believe that in the process of handling disputes if all parties feel that that none of them got everything they wanted then the outcome was at least
  probably reasonable. We have no more time to waste fighting amongst ourselves. Sooo let’s get focused on the task at hand… mending the fences and working on defeating Liberals in the upcoming elections. If this effort has shown us anything it is we have a lot of people willing to go to work. Lets get started.
  Dave White PCO # 31-08

• 

  DMORAN on February 12 at 7:56 a.m.

  This is the first time I have gotten to see first hand how our State Constitution fills a vacated seat. As the BOCC stated, the process is to fill a gap until the voters of the 4th choose their candidate. In light of not creating another vacancy in the 4th during session is, in my opinion, the best option for continued representation in the 4th.

  The greatest part of this process was to see a young man who has served our country, a Purple Heart recipient, handle himself with such grace and honesty. I, for one, will stand behind this young man with honor as he works through the events that have transpired in his life recently.