Former Republican state Rep. John Ahern said today that his former Republican opponent, Shelly O'Quinn, called him on Monday to congratulate him on his second-place finish.

Ahern said he's grateful O'Quinn, who finished third, ran for the seat and that she made him a better candidate.

O'Quinn told Ahern that she will not be able to make a formal endorsement in the race for the November election because of her job with Greater Spokane Inc., the region's Chamber of Commerce, Ahern said.

Ahern said he plans to take O'Quinn to lunch next week at the Chalet Restaurant, near 29th and Grand Boulevard.

"I'm going to encourage her to run for another office," Ahern said.

Ahern faces the top finisher in last week's primary, incumbent Democrat John Driscoll, in the general election race for state House representing the 6th Legislative District.

Here's more on attempts to unify the parties after last week's primary.