Election Center
Related Coverage, Page 4
Open City Council seat in northeast Spokane draws 3 challengers advocating change at City Hall
With the departure of City Councilwoman Amber Waldref due to term limits, three candidates seeking their first election to political office want to change the way the city engages with neighborhoods in the northeast part of town. Kate Burke, Tim Benn and Kathryn Alexander bring different ideologies and political experiences to the race, but all agree the focus needs to shift back to neighborhoods in that area of the city.
Three of five Medical Lake City City Council incumbents face challengers
Meet the candidates for Medical Lake City Council’s Positions 2, 4 and 5.
Spokane Valley Mayor Rod Higgins faces two challengers in re-election bid
The 2017 City Council election in Spokane Valley has turned into a barnstorm of new faces challenging incumbents. The five open seats have attracted 13 candidates resulting in two contested primary races, one of which is the race for Position 1, held by Mayor Rod Higgins.
Three challenge Breean Beggs for Spokane City Council seat representing South Hill
Challengers seeking Breean Beggs’ appointed seat on the Spokane City Council criticize policies he’s floated on oil and coal trains and ways to pay for more police, but the 44-year-old attorney says that’s just part of the work he’s doing for the city and dismisses labels.
Initiative targeting marijuana businesses near Spokane churches fails to receive enough signatures
Petition-gatherers came up 528 signatures short for the measure to automatically appear on the November ballot, but the group says it will seek intervention from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Three candidates enter the running for Spokane County Superior Court judge
When Superior Court Judge Sam Cozza died unexpectedly this year, several members of Spokane’s legal community threw their hat in the ring to fill the vacancy left by the longtime and well-respected presiding judge. In May, then-deputy prosecutor Tony Hazel rose above the rest of the applicants after being selected by Governor Jay Inslee as Cozza’s replacement. Many expected the ensuing election later this year to feature only one name on the ballot.
With complicated, potentially contentious decisions on horizon, four vie for Spokane schools board seat
Spokane’s newest board member will inherit a slough of thorny and potentially contentious decisions in November.
City Council members and police officer vie for Medical Lake mayor position
Medical Lake residents can choose among two longtime City Council members or a police officer to lead their city. On the August primary ballot three candidates, Shirley Maike, Laura Parsons and Mike Suniga are vying for the spot. The winner will replace Mayor John Higgins, who opted not to run for a new term.
Control of Washington Senate could come down to King County race
Control of the state Senate next year is likely to be decided by a special election race in King County suburbs between two novice candidates.
Council races in Spokane, Spokane Valley draw primary challenges
All three Spokane City Council races will be on the August primary ballot, as will two council positions in the Spokane Valley and two in Medical Lake
Candidate filing week ends Friday afternoon
With only one day left for candidates to file for local office, only a few races have enough candidates to be on the August primary ballot.
Three candidates seek open seat in northeast Spokane council district
Voters in Spokane’s northeast council district will have a contested primary, choosing between at least three potential replacements for Amber Waldref, who cannot run for re-election because of the city’s term limit ordinance.
Candidates file to challenge Spokane City Council incumbents in 2017 elections
Candidates start filling up August primary ballot.
Local candidates: On your mark, get set, file
Filing week for candidates seeking many local offices this year starts Monday morning and ends Friday afternoon.
Spin Control: Our 8 simple rules for running for office
Filing for office this week? Spin Control offers its eight simple rules for surviving as a candidate.
Voters approve tax boost to fund fire services in southwestern Spokane County
Voters in Spokane County’s largest fire district approved a property tax increase that officials say will be used to replace aging trucks and equipment and respond to increasing call volumes.
Spokane County voters overwhelmingly approve sales tax for 911 services
Spokane County residents voted to renew a one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax that’s used to fund upgrades to emergency communication technology used by firefighters and law enforcement.
Spokane’s greatest election that never was: Baumgartner vs. Knezovich vs. Shea vs. Stuckart vs. Parker vs. Brown
And so the most fascinating campaign in years to hit Spokane ended before a ballot is cast, or even, an election scheduled.
Knezovich, Stuckart, Baumgartner, Shea announce runs for McMorris Rodgers’ seat
The news that an appointment as interior secretary is imminent for Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers prompted City Council President Ben Stuckart to declare his candidacy for her vacant seat quickly Friday. Republicans Ozzie Knezovich and Michael Baumgartner followed Friday afternoon. Rep. Matt Shea announced his bid late Friday.
Knezovich vows legal challenge to proposed oil, coal train ban in Spokane
An independent legal review of a proposal to fine the shippers of coal and oil through downtown Spokane determined it violates federal law, but City Councilman Breean Beggs said he’ll continue to push for signatures. Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich signaled he’d block the measure if passed, calling it unconstitutional.