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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control Jonathan Brunt

THURSDAY, OCT. 14, 2010

Ahern skips televised debates 

Tonight's annual televised Chase Youth Commission debate will have a noticeably absent candidate: John Ahern.While Ahern has appeared with his opponent, incumbent Democratic State Rep. John Driscoll, at several other forums, Ahern also missed last month's debate sponsored by the League of Woman Voters of…

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TUESDAY, OCT. 12, 2010

MONDAY, OCT. 11, 2010

Spokane takes step closer to vehicle tab tax 

Spokane City Council members on Monday decided to give themselves new taxing authority.The council voted 5-2 to create a “Transportation Benefit District.” The decision means the council will have the ability to enact a vehicle tab tax up to $20. Higher tab taxes would require…

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THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 2010

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 29, 2010

TUESDAY, SEPT. 28, 2010


Motorcyclists want candidates' attention 

A Spokane group of motorcyclists is fighting for attention among local politicians.The Inland Empire Chapter of ABATE, a motorcyclist rights organization that opposes helmet laws and other restrictions on motorcycle riding, has been hosting a series of candidate forums that are restricted to one topic:…

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THURSDAY, SEPT. 23, 2010

Knezovich says he wouldn't sign platform

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich won party backing for his current reelection bid last year. Had he waited to seek an endorsement, Knezovich may not have won that endorsement. That's because, he says, he will not sign the party's pledge to support the county platform.…

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MONDAY, SEPT. 20, 2010

FRIDAY, SEPT. 17, 2010

Marr, Baumgartner debate taxes

Here is the first of what should be several videos showing incumbent Democratic state Sen. Chris Marr and his challenger, Republican Michael Baumgartner, give their stance on the issues.Meanwhile, the videos produced before the primary focusing on the other hotly contested race in the 6th…

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TUESDAY, SEPT. 14, 2010


Spokane County Prosecutor  Steve  Tucker in his office May 26, 2006. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)

Tucker still not backed by own party 

The Spokane County Republican Party announced over the weekend that it was endorsing Dino Rossi for U.S. Senate, Cathy McMorris Rodgers for Congress and Al French for county commissioner. Those aren't surprising moves given the results of the August primary.But at least one GOP candidate…

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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8, 2010

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, exits a Chevy Suburban on his way to speak at a ceremony marking the start of construction of the southbound lanes of the North Spokane Corridor between Francis Avenue and Farwell Road. The event was held on land that will serve as the soutbound lanes near a railroad tunnel that goes under the freeway. (Jesse Tinsley)

Republicans absent from corridor celebration 

The following is a corrected version of an earlier post.Noticeably absent from the ceremony on Tuesday that celebrated the start of construction of a portion of the North Spokane Corridor were any elected Republican officials.It was Spokane Mayor Mary Verner who served as master of…

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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 1, 2010

The Spokane County Canvassing Board meets on Wednesday, Sept. 1 to finalize results of the August 2010 primary. Pictured are County Commission Chairman Mark Richard (left); county attorney Jim Emacio, representing County Prosecutor Steve Tucker; County Auditor Vicky Dalton; and Elections Manager Mike McLaughlin. The voting members of the convassing board on Wednesday were Richard, Emacio and McLaughlin. Dalton gave up her seat on the board to McLaughlin because her name appeared on the ballot. (Jonathan Brunt / The Spokesman-Review)

Bozo tops Jesus in county treasurer's race

It may be the upset of the year.In the race for Spokane County Treasurer, Bozo garnered more support than Jesus.Bozo – presumably Bozo the Clown – had three write-in votes, to Jesus’ two.Bozo and Jesus were just two of nearly 1,500 different people or other…

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WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25, 2010


Ahern makes lunch plans with O'Quinn 

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…

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MONDAY, AUG. 23, 2010

Salvatori concedes, says Holy could top French 

In an e-mail to supporters on Friday, Spokane County commissioner candidate Steve Salvatori said a recount is likely in the primary battle for commissioner.But he added that he doesn't expect to be in the running."We made a valiant comeback effort on the Thursday ballot count,…

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FRIDAY, AUG. 20, 2010

Chadez endorses Billig 

Lousie Chadez, who won about 20 percent of the vote in the four-way primary for the state House seat representing central Spokane, said this week she will endorse follow Democrat Andy Billig for the general election.Billig finished second and will face the likely winner of…

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THURSDAY, AUG. 19, 2010

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 18, 2010

Map showing precint-by-precinct results of 6th Legislative District August 2010 primary election battle between Democratic incumbent Sen. Chris Marr and Republican Michael Baumgartner. They will face each other again in November. The map is based only on votes counted through Tuesday, August 17. (Jim Camden)

Marr wins city, Baumgartner wins county

This map of the Senate race between incumbent Democrat Chris Marr and Republican Michael Baumgartner indicates that voting went as usual in the 6th Legislative District. The Democrat won precincts closest to central Spokane; the Republican won Indian Trails, the far South Hill and areas…

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Andy Billig and his daughter, Bella Billig, 10, smile after seeing primary election results Tuesday night, Aug. 17, 2010, at Hamilton Studios' Toad Hall. Billig, a Democratic candidate for the Washington state House in the 3rd District, had 29.4 percent of the vote after the first night of counting and will advance to the general election. (Jonathan Brunt / The Spokesman-Review)

White has tough task in facing Billig 

The top photo is Andy Billig's reaction to the announcement that he would advance to the general election.The next photo is Billig's response to finding out he will face Republican Dave White in the general election.It's hard to blame Billig for appearing to be more…

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MONDAY, AUG. 16, 2010

FRIDAY, AUG. 13, 2010

A party for the cast-aside Democrats 

The Democratic Party's decision to endorse Andy Billig has made state House candidate Louise Chadez -- despite her longtime affiliation with Democrats -- feel somewhat of an outcast in the party.At the party's recent salmon feed, Chadez said, she and other Democrats who didn't win…

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Jonathan Brunt
Jonathan Brunt joined The Spokesman-Review in 2004. He is the government editor. He previously was a reporter who covered Spokane City Hall, Spokane County government and public safety.

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