Marijuana activist files for Congress

A Spokane man active in efforts to legalize marijuana entered the primary for Eastern Washington’s congressional seat Wednesday.

Ian Moody, 32, who said he is a leader of the Sensible Spokane Alliance as well as an original member of the Occupy Spokane protest, filed for the seat currently held by Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Moody listed no party preference. Rich Cowan, former chief executive officer of North by Northwest, filed earlier this week as a Democrat, and McMorris Rodgers has not yet filed her paperwork although she is actively campaigning.

Moody described himself as a social progressive and fiscal conservative, who could serve as a voice for “people stuck in the middle” and not aligned with either political party. He acknowledged that advancing to the general election without party preference is difficult but said he wanted to demonstrate “the little guy is being cut out of the process.”

His campaign will coincide with efforts to get a marijuana initiative on the Spokane ballot as well as a separate state initiative to legalize marijuana use and small amounts of possession for adults.

McMorris Rodgers, he said, “doesn’t even support medical marijuana.”

Originally from Wenatchee, Moody attended Western Washington University and has an associate’s degree from Spokane Falls Community College. He has lived in Hillyard since 2003.

Here are other candidates, and their party preference, who filed for offices on Spokane-area ballots Tuesday or Wednesday.

U.S. senator: Art Coday and Mike the Mover, Republican

Governor: Rob Hill, Democrat, L. Dale Sorgen, Independent, Shahram Hadian and Javier O. Lopez, Republican

Lieutenant governor: Bill Finkbeiner, Republican

State treasurer: Jim McIntire, Democrat

State auditor: Troy Kelley, Democrat

Attorney general: Bob Ferguson, Democrat, and Stephen Pidgeon, Republican

Superintendent of public instruction: James Bauckman and John Patterson Blair (nonpartisan office)

Insurance commissioner: John R. Adams, Republican, and Brian C. Berend, Independent

Legislative District 3

State representative Pos. 1: Tim Benn, GOP; Marcus Riccelli and Jon Snyder, Democrat

Legislative District 4

State representative Pos. 2: Amy C. Biviano, Democrat

Legislative District 9

State senator: Mark G. Schoesler, GOP

State representative Pos. 1: Susan Fagan, Republican

State representative Pos. 2: Joe Schmick, Republican

Spokane County commissioner, District 1: John Roskelley

Spokane County commissioner, District 2: Shelly O’Quinn, Republican

PUD 01 commissioner No. 3: Dwight M. Morgan and Lloyd Henry (nonpartisan office), Democrat