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Spokane to host Inslee, McKenna for governor debate
The likely Republican and Democratic candidates for governor will debate this June in Spokane. An on-again, off-again matchup of state Attorney General Rob McKenna and former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee in front of a major state business group appears on again, for good. The Association of Washington Business announced, and the campaigns confirmed, Inslee and McKenna will debate at the Bing Crosby Theater on June 12 as part of the group’s quarterly meeting, in an event co-sponsored by Greater Spokane Incorporated. As recently as Monday, the Inslee campaign was refusing to debate at that particular time and place, accusing the AWB of bad faith in announcing the event before all details were worked out.
Measure 1 campaign pulls McLaughlin ad
The campaign to extend taxes to pay for the expansion of the Spokane Convention Center and Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena has pulled a TV ad featuring Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin. Citizens for Jobs Now has developed a series of commercials each featuring two people who often represent competing interests, including messages with a Democrat and a Republican and another with a union member and a business owner. In each ad each spokesperson says that despite their usual differences, they both support Measure 1, the Spokane Public Facilities District tax plan that pays for the Convention Center and arena expansions.
Councilwoman seeks to unseat state Senate majority leader
The Democratic majority leader of the Washington Senate is facing her first reelection challenge by an opponent with a winning campaign history. Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican, launched her campaign to unseat state Sen. Lisa Brown on Tuesday at a small gathering in front of Madison Elementary School, where she once served as a Parent Teacher Organization president.
Kootenai County picks Santorum
It was before 10 p.m. when it became clear that Kootenai County’s votes didn’t matter in Tuesday’s Idaho Republican caucus.
Romney takes caucuses handily
Mitt Romney gained a symbolic victory in Washington on Saturday, pulling down the most votes at the state’s Republican precinct caucuses. Symbolic in the sense that he can claim another win heading into this week’s Super Tuesday contests.
Big turnout, little agreement on candidates at GOP caucuses
A couple of decades after voting for independent presidential candidate Ross Perot, Greg Keller regrets the choice. Keller was one of nine participants in his precinct caucus Saturday morning at the Corbin Senior Activity Center, and he was outnumbered by supporters of Ron Paul as he argued politely against the Texas congressman’s candidacy.
Romney wins Washington straw poll
Mitt Romney finished in the straw poll of Republicans attending their precinct caucuses Saturday. Ron Paul and Rick Santorum battled for the number two spot and Newt Gingrich was a distant fourth.
GOP turn out in force for local caucuses
A couple of decades after voting for independent presidential candidate Ross Perot, Greg Keller regrets the choice. Keller was one of nine participants in his precinct caucus Saturday morning at the Corbin Senior Activity Center, and he was outnumbered by supporters of Ron Paul as he argued politely against Paul’s candidacy.
Paul decries government ‘busybodies’
Ron Paul, making a return visit to Spokane in advance of today’s Republican precinct caucuses, showed again Friday that he continues to enjoy strong support across the Inland Northwest. Paul drew about 1,000 people to a rally at the Spokane Convention Center. Two weeks ago at the same place, about 2,300 came to hear him speak.
Extend or end it? GOP voters torn over best route
To hear some weary rank-and-file Republicans tell it, the increasingly bitter fight for the party’s presidential nomination can’t end quickly enough.