Election Center
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Political balance before Spokane voters
For the past year, the debate at Spokane City Hall often has devolved into two camps, the mayor versus the City Council. Or, more directly, David Condon versus Ben Stuckart. It’s true that Mayor Condon, who hails from Republican circles, doesn’t always agree with the City Council, which has held a left-leaning, veto-proof voting bloc since last summer. And it’s true that at times Condon and Council President Stuckart have entered into public political fisticuffs over issues including how much Condon’s inner circle at City Hall should be paid and an informal handshake deal between Condon and hotelier Walt Worthy to use city funds to pay for environmental cleanup.
Spokane City Council candidate had DUI in 2009
Randy Ramos, the only candidate actively campaigning against Councilman Mike Fagan in this year’s Spokane city elections, was charged with drunken driving in 2009 and still owes money to a debt collection agency for unpaid fines related to the incident.
Doug Clark: What will happen if mayoral hex comes undone?
“I ’m not intimidated by old history, I know Spokane is willing to embrace a good strong mayor for the future of Spokane for a second term.” – A confident pre-election 2011 Mayor Mary Verner discussing her chances of breaking Spokane’s Curse of the One-Term Mayor. We’re officially a tad more than a month away from Spokane’s Aug. 4 primary election and an excellent question has arrived by email from Paul Baxter, a civic-minded and loyal reader.
Home builders endorse Condon and Stuckart
The Spokane Home Builders Association, a generally right-leaning organization, has endorsed Spokane Mayor David Condon and Council President Ben Stuckart for re-election, citing the need for “sustained leadership.”
Shawn Vestal: Pot peeks out of closet as revenue fills coffers
Less than a year after marijuana became available in stores, it is no exaggeration to say that it’s booming. Each new month brings increased sales and tax revenues. Marijuana bucks have already become a key element in state budget negotiations. Hundreds of licenses have been issued to retailers, growers and processors.
Spokane School Board candidates weigh in on walkout
Voters who have strong opinions about the Spokane teacher walkout this week likely will find a school board candidate on their August primary ballot who shares their stance. The Spokane Education Association voted last week to hold a one-day strike on Wednesday to protest the Legislature’s long delay in meeting a state Supreme Court’s demand to increase education funding.
Doug Clark: Spokane mayor’s race not worth price of admission to Hillyard Hammer
He coulda been a contender. Chauncy Welliver, I mean.
Last day of filing concludes; two City Council picks emerge
The last day of filing for political office attracted two new choices for Spokane City Council, but candidate lineups for mayor and City Council president didn’t change. Races for the Spokane Valley City Council also were unchanged Friday. No one filed after Tuesday for any of the three Valley seats on this year’s ballot.
Only two new Spokane City Council candidates on last day of filing
The full list of people who applied for elected office in Spokane County.
Candidates wanted for local races
With just today left in filing week, the Spokane County elections office said Thursday there were more than three dozen elective positions with no candidates filed.
Two more file for 9th District House seat
Candidate filings on Thursday included two challengers to appointed state Rep. Mary Dye in the 9th Legislative District House race.
Filing week Day 2: Mid-morning roundup
Local races starting to fill out.
Filing week Day 1: Mid-morning roundup
It’s Filing Week in Washington state. Candidates with hopes and dreams of winning a local political office have to get their paperwork in by Friday. The mid-morning list for Spokane County can be found inside.
Spin Control: Eight rules for political candidates
OLYMPIA – It’s the weekend between Bloomsday and the Lilac Parade, and that can only mean one thing. Well, two things if you count the fact that half the people in Spokane have allergies acting up. This week is filing week for candidates in Washington. Some people have been running for election or re-election for months, but that’s just prologue to the real campaign season, which starts Monday morning with the opening of the office doors in county elections offices around the state. Fill out your form, pay your money and take your chances for offices like mayor and city council member, and in southeast Washington’s 9th Legislative District, state House of Representatives.
Mike Fagan will run for second term
Mike Fagan may be the Spokane City Council’s most controversial figure, but he also has strong ties to the Hillyard community he represents. Fagan announced Thursday that he’ll run for re-election.
Doug Clark: Quick, someone give the mayor a run for his money
Sound the air-raid sirens. We interrupt today’s Clark column with the following announcement that Spokane is in a Defcondon 1 state of emergency.
STA transit sales tax increase fails
Late returns counted Wednesday failed to give Spokane Transit Authority’s Proposition 1 ballot measure enough votes to overcome an election night deficit. With less than 1,000 votes remaining to be counted, the chance of the measure passing is “almost impossible,” Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton said.
STA sales tax increase failing
Spokane County voters on Tuesday were turning down a 0.3 percent sales tax increase to pay for improvements to public transit. But the measure still was too close to call, according to supporters of Proposition 1 from the Spokane Transit Authority.
STA sales tax proposal too close to call; voters rejecting 2 school bonds
STA sales tax increase OUTCOME: Too close to call. YES: 49.4 percent50 NO: 50.6 percent
Shar Lichty to challenge Condon for Spokane mayor
Spokane Mayor David Condon gained his first challenger Tuesday in his race to be the first re-elected mayor since the era of Expo ’74. Shar Lichty, an organizer with the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, said Monday she is running for Spokane mayor, declaring that she is “one of the people” and drawing a contrast with Condon, whom she called the “millionaire mayor.”