Spokane City Council, northwest council district
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Candace Mumm (N) | 8,276 | 53.10% |
| Matthew Howes (N) | 7,311 | 46.90% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
About The Race
The Candidates
Candace Mumm
- Party:
- No party
- Age:
- 62
- City:
- Spokane, WA
- Occupation:
- Incumbent city council member, business owner
Her words: "I have always been involved in standing up for neighborhoods. I have been very involved in some of the northside neighborhood improvements … I really enjoy working with neighborhoods, and working at that level."
Her pitch: Mumm says the city council has built momentum on improving roads and sidewalks during her first four-year term, and hopes to continue that momentum for another four years. She points to work on improving the transit options near Spokane Falls Community College, working with the West Hills neighborhood, and securing a commitment from the Washington Legislature to add back a supervision system for property crime offenders in Spokane County, as evidence of her work to address the major issues facing voters in northwest Spokane. In a second term, her priorities would be finding a way to fund additional needed police officers, continuing contract negotiations with the Spokane Police Guild and revitalizing the business center located near Shadle Park High School.
Work experience: Incumbent city councilmember and executive of Smartland, a real estate investment company. Previously worked as a crime reporter and managing editor for KXLY, and as a financial adviser for American Express.
Education: Graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1978. Bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Pacific Lutheran University in 1982. Earned a master’s degree in business administration from Gonzaga University.
Political experience: Elected to the Spokane City Council in 2013. Previously served on the city’s Plan Commission, the county’s Stormwater Task Force, the state Department of Commerce’s Community Economic Revitalization Board and the Mead School District’s Capital Facilities Bond Task Force. Former vice chair of the Five Mile neighborhood council.
Work experience: Currently the CEO of Smartland, a real estate investment company. Previously worked as a crime reporter and managing editor for KXLY, and as a financial adviser for American Express.
Family: Married.
Neighborhood: Five Mile
Matthew Howes
- Party:
- No party
- Age:
- 54
- Occupation:
- Co-owner of Adelo's Pizza, Pasta & Pints
His words: "I just feel, right now, we've got a city council that all seems to vote one way. When one person says something, everybody else just follows the lead. It doesn't seem like they try to look at other solutions, they just go after one thing and everyone votes the same exact way with the exception of Mike Fagan … I want to represent our district up here, and bring what it is the people want."
His pitch: City Hall is not doing enough to recruit and help out small businesses, like the pizzeria and brewery Howes started with his wife in 2008 in the Indian Trial neighborhood, he said. Rather than impose additional taxes to pay for things like street repair and new police officers, Howes said the city should make it easier for small businesses to thrive in town, including abandoning projects like the road diet that will be built on a stretch of North Monroe street. Howes said he'll also pursue more stringent advertising rules for marijuana businesses.
Work experience: Co-owner of Adelo's Pizza, Pasta and Pints. Former credit analyst with Washington Trust Bank.
Education: Graduated from Shadle High School in 1988. Earned a degree in business from Eastern Washington University.
Political experience: First run for public office.
Family: Married. Two children, one from a previous marriage.
Neighborhood: Indian Trail
Complete Coverage
Breean Beggs, Kate Burke, Candace Mumm coast to victories in Spokane City Council races
Early ballot returns indicate the Spokane City Council will retain its progressive-leaning majority, as voters gave comfortable leads to a slate of candidates endorsed by Ben Stuckart in what became a costly and sometimes bitter campaign in the final few weeks.
Fundraising, outside spending reach historic highs in Spokane City Council races
For the first time in at least a decade, spending by outside groups in this year’s City Council races reached all corners of the city. Through Friday, more than $372,000 had been raised for the three of the contests that will be decided next week, with 1 in 4 of those dollars coming from a group working independently of the candidates.
Beware of last-minute election attacks
Conservatives were outraged with the attack on Howes. Liberals were irate with the smear against Beggs. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough people who are disgusted with both. Until there is, the slimy politics will continue.
Council candidate Howes offers free pizza for controversial campaign mailer
The northwest Spokane pizzeria owner said he’s trying to put a positive spin on a campaign ad he called “slanderous and uncalled-for.”
Shawn Vestal: Flyer targeting Spokane City Council candidate Matthew Howes was a cheap shot
A flyer that attacked Spokane City Council candidate Matthew Howes for restaurant violations was a slimy and poorly executed effort that fuels our political cynicism.
Campaign mailer funded largely by firefighters union exaggerates Spokane City Council candidate’s restaurant inspection record
The Spokane Regional Health District said in a statement Monday it did not participate in the creation of political communications charging City Council candidate Matthew Howes with ignoring health code rigors in running his northside restaurant. Howes said the mailer is full of “blatant lies” and showed dirty tactics by supporters of his opponent, Candace Mumm.
Mumm, Howes take opposing sides in North Monroe debate in battle for Spokane City Council seat
Incumbent Candace Mumm is facing off against political newcomer Matthew Howes for the northwest Spokane seat. The district’s major political issue this fall has been a controversial lane reduction project that has split the candidates.
Sue Lani Madsen: Spokane City Council’s focus on national issues takes away from its attention to local problems
There is a national progressive movement using municipal legislation to drive state and federal policy through the courts. Does Spokane want an increasingly political City Council, or one that focuses on city business?
Spokane County leaders may abandon tax hike proposal, cut jail funds instead
The Spokane County commissioners may walk away from a proposal to raise property taxes to fix an estimated $10 million budget shortfall.
Beggs and Mumm post strong showings in Spokane City Council primaries, Burke and Benn face off in northeast
The two incumbents on the primary ballots for Spokane City Council earned the majority of votes counted Tuesday in their districts. Kate Burke will square off against Tim Benn in northeast Spokane.
Editorial: Advance Mumm, Burrow in council race
Mumm has unmatched civic experience and accomplishments, but we’re also impressed with Burrow’s pragmatism and economic development focus.
Mumm faces two challengers, criticism of City Hall’s business acumen in race for northwest Spokane seat
Brian Burrow, a project manager, and Matthew Howes, owner of a north side restaurant and pub, said they’ll do more to promote and assist businesses in town than the current City Council and incumbent Candace Mumm.
Kerns, Fennessy still leading in close races
All four candidates involved in close races in Spokane County picked up more votes in Wednesday’s second count of ballots, but no one was able to make enough of a gain to change the outcome.
Shelly O’Quinn wins re-election on Spokane County Commission; Josh Kerns leads
A Democrat on the Spokane County Commission? Probably not. Incumbent Republican Shelly O’Quinn easily won re-election Tuesday and Republican Josh Kerns had a strong lead for the other open seat.