Election Center
Related Coverage, Page 8
Dave Wilson hopes for 5th District victory
Spokane businessman Dave Wilson has at least two lofty goals in his run as an independent for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ seat in the House of Representatives. A triumph in August’s primary would be the first by an Eastern Washington congressional candidate not aligned with either Republicans or Democrats since the state switched to the top-two primary system a decade ago. He would be just the second independent candidate to advance to the general election statewide since that time.
Breean Beggs, Larry Haskell tout skills at prosecutor debate
The two men vying to replace longtime Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Tucker touted competing advantages at a debate downtown Wednesday night. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Larry Haskell, running for the GOP, said his 16 years of experience in the office and assisting federal prosecutors should make him a clear favorite over his opponent. Democratic candidate Breean Beggs, a private practice civil attorney who led the Center for Justice for several years, said he would bring fresh ideas to the office that would upend the status quo.
Twelve candidates crowd 4th Congressional District slate
An even dozen candidates are running for an open seat in Central Washington’s 4th Congressional District, making it the most crowded race in the state’s Aug. 5 primary. The district trends heavily Republican, and so did the candidate filings. Eight are Republicans, with two Democrats and two independents. Under the state’s primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.
Baumgartner hosts re-election breakfast
Although he’s been raising money for nearly a year, state Sen. Mike Baumgartner makes it official Thursday with a formal kickoff breakfast for his re-election campaign. Republican Baumgartner, 38, was elected to the 6th District seat in 2010, defeating incumbent Democrat Chris Marr in what became the most expensive legislative race that year. In the minority his first two years, Baumgartner has been a member of the coalition of Republicans and two disaffected Democrats who controlled the Senate for the last two.