Matt Shea to seek third term in state House

Spokane Valley Republican Matt Shea will seek a third term in the state House of Representatives, not the open seat on the Spokane County Board of Commissioners.

Shea had been mentioned as a possible contender for the commission seat after two-term incumbent Mark Richard announced last week he would not run for re-election. Wednesday morning, however, Shea scheduled a formal kickoff for a House re-election campaign for Tuesday evening at Felts Field.

He said he was grateful for all the encouragement to run for the commission seat but wanted to continue to work in the Legislature promoting lower taxes, less government and education as the first priority in the budget.

“I feel I must stay and fight to remove the tangle of taxes and regulations that is causing businesses and jobs to move out of the Spokane Valley and the state of Washington,” he said in a prepared statement.

Shea won a hotly contested open seat in 2008 in the traditionally Republican 4th Legislative District, and he ran unopposed in 2010. So far this year he has one announced opponent, Democrat Amy Biviano, a certified public accountant and former county party chairwoman.

The race for Richard’s commission seat already has one announced Republican, Shelly O’Quinn, who works for Greater Spokane Incorporated. Two Democrats, former Spokane City Councilman Bob Apple and former television newscaster Daryl Romeyn, are talking about possible campaigns.

Filing week for candidates is May 14 through 18.