Former City Councilman Mike Allen announced last week that he is entering the race to challenge Richard Rush in hopes of once again representing south Spokane.

Allen, a former Eastern Washington University administrator,  was named to the council to replace Mary Verner after she was elected mayor in 2007. He lost the seat to Jon Snyder in 2009.

Allen and Rush had worked closely on some issues and were quite friendly when they both served on the council -- often carpooling together to council meetings. But Rush endorsed Snyder late in the 2009 campaign, a decision Rush said wasn't personal and that Allen said at the time didn't bother him.

Still, it makes for an interesting race.

Allen, 43, was considered a moderate when he served on the council and was unsuccessful at earning party backing for his 2009 race. He said after he lost that it may not be possible to win a City Council race without the help of Republicans or Democrats. Last year, Allen was elected a Republican Party precinct committee officer.

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