Mary Verner
A candidate for Spokane Mayor, City of Spokane in the 2011 Washington General Election
Party: Democratic
Age: 67
City: Spokane, WA
Education: Graduated from Houston Academy in Dothan, Alabama, in 1973. Earned bachelor's degree in medical anthropology from Davidson College in 1988, master's degree in environmental studies from Yale University in 1992 and law degree from Gonzaga University in 1992.
Political experience: Appointed Deputy for Wildfire & Administration at Washington Department of Natural Resources in 2013 and continues in that role. Served as the mayor of Spokane from 2007-2011 and Spokane city councilwoman from 2004 to 2007. Member and past chairwoman of City of DuPont Tree Board and the DuPont Heirloom Orchard Committee. Member of the Board of National Institute of Building Sciences.
Work experience: Interim CEO, Spokane Tribe Enterprises from 2012 until 2013. Executive Director of the Upper Columbia United Tribes from 2002-2007. Served as director of natural resources for the Spokane Tribe of Indians for about 10 years. Adjunct professor at Whitworth University
Family: Single. Grown daughter and 18-year-old son. Two grandchildren.
Contact information
More about Mary Verner
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Verner on the issues, Q&A for 2011 mayoral race
Mary Verner gives her positions on taxes, libraries, streets and other issues facing the city in The Spokesman-Review's Spokane City Council candidate questionnaire.
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| David Condon | 30,768 | 52.36% |
| Mary Verner (D) | 27,991 | 47.64% |
Related Coverage
Mayor, officials endorse Chase commission plan
Spokane’s youth programs would remain independent from other nonprofit groups under a new plan that has support from Mayor David Condon. Former Mayor Mary Verner, whose 2012 budget eliminated the city’s Youth Department, originally proposed contracting with the YMCA or other nonprofit groups to oversee youth activities and the Chase Youth Commission. But after opposition emerged from the commission, she backed a plan crafted by General Administration Director Dorothy Webster to give the money and oversight responsibilities to the commission and its partner organization, the Chase Youth Foundation.
Changes begin among city staff as three top administrators depart
Even before he officially took office, Mayor-elect David Condon shook up City Hall on Friday when he informed three top administrators that they won’t be back to serve with him as mayor. Receiving notice were City Administrator Ted Danek, Public Works and Utilities Director Dave Mandyke and General Administration Director Dorothy Webster.
Verner looks back at trials, triumphs
Spokane Mayor Mary Verner will leave office at the end of the week as the city’s longest serving strong mayor of the four who have served in that capacity. But she also will be the 10th mayor in a row to only serve one term.
Huckleberries: The Big One got away from birthday tracker
Kerri Thoreson was keeping track of everyone’s birthdays in Kootenai County before Facebook arrived and wanted to be friends. Kerri, a woman of many hats (Post Falls councilwoman, Coeur d’Alene Press columnist, KVNI morning host), rarely misses wishing the best to locals in print and on the radio show she co-hosts with “North Idaho Joe” Paisley. So Kerri was embarrassed when she missed the Queen Mother Of Local B-Days last week. Anna Pearce turned 65 Wednesday. Mebbe you know Anna by her screen/stage name: Patty Duke. Who wrote the New York Times best-selling autobiography “Call Me Anna.” Patty’s 65th birthday makes her eligible for Medicare benefits to go with those Social Security bennies she’s been touting in public service announcements. Curses, foiled again
Rush proposes end to city utility tax
It was as if pigs had grown wings and landed on the roof of Spokane City Hall. George McGrath, a conservative, longtime follower and critic of the City Council, approached the microphone at this week’s meeting and praised a plan proposed by outgoing liberal Councilman Richard Rush.
Ferris High School debate questions
Questions of school board candidates at the Faceoff at Ferris Debate.
Zehm settlement elusive
Despite calling for “all courses of action” four months ago to settle the civil suit brought by the mother and estate of Otto Zehm, it appears Mary Verner will step down as mayor of Spokane without resolving the case. Attorneys Breean Beggs and Jeffry Finer, who represent Zehm’s mother and estate, said they could not comment about negotiations. However, they did say they are still waiting to hear from the city and its insurance underwriter, American International Group.
District investigating Ferris political debate
An October debate for school board and mayoral candidates at Ferris High School was promoted as student-led and -run, from start to finish. But few, if any, of the questions were written by students; instead, many were submitted by a handful of adults with ties to the Republican Party, leaving at least two candidates who took part feeling duped, they said.