Election Center
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U.S. Senate candidates debate taxes, guns, civility
Maria Cantwell and Susan Hutchison clash on taxes, guns and the Kavanaugh hearings during their first debate.
Long odds in 3rd District challenge to incumbent Marcus Riccelli
The battle for a state House seat representing central Spokane was sparked by an earlier run-in and social media conduct. Incumbent Democrat Marcus Riccelli blocked his Republican challenger, Tom Taylor, on Facebook earlier this year after Taylor attacked commenters on Riccelli’s Facebook page.
Matt Shea’s challenger for 4th District House seat Ted Cummings offers different version of Democrat
Ted Cummings admits he didn’t pay much attention to state Rep. Matt Shea until early this year, when he noticed the Spokane Valley legislator had introduced a bill that aimed to cripple labor unions. The so-called “right to work” proposal, which never passed out of committee, was anathema to Cummings, a longtime Kaiser Aluminum employee and member of the Steelworkers union. The phrase “right to work,” he said, is “a misnomer,” that’s “designed to steal from working men and women.” He recalled thinking, “Why would I elect a representative for my state to actively work against my interests?”
In 7th District race, Sen. Shelly Short, Karen Hardy disagree on proposed Newport smelter
Voters will notice something familiar about the ballot for the 7th District Senate race – it features the same two women who faced each other in a special election last November. Democrat Karen Hardy is once again running against incumbent Republican Sen. Shelly Short, who was appointed to the position in early 2017 after serving in the House of Representatives since 2008. Short won the special election to keep her seat, taking nearly 68 percent of the vote. The race between the two may not have changed much since then; in the August primary, Short took 67 percent.
Election materials prompt WSU cease-and-desist to Cathy McMorris Rodgers campaign; Lisa Brown’s campaign also asked to quit using university’s imagery in ads
The university has also requested the congresswoman’s Democratic challenger, Lisa Brown, remove trademarked images from her ads in an effort to remain neutral in the closely watched Congressional contest.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers talks Kavanaugh, refugees and human trafficking during stop at Lutheran Community Services
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers met with the director of Lutheran Community Services, the Spokane-based nonprofit providing support for refugees and victims of sexual assault, on Friday morning, as the Trump administration announced it would reduce the number of legal entrants into the U.S. and the Senate prepares to vote on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court amid allegations of sexual violence in the early 1980s.
Rep. Mike Volz defending 6th District seat against challenger Kay Murano
A Republican incumbent state representative will defend his seat in the West Plains against a Democratic challenger who hopes to grow awareness of housing issues at the state level. Mike Volz, who first won his 6th District seat in 2016 and also works as the Spokane County chief deputy treasurer, said education issues got him into politics and he plans to continue his efforts if re-elected November.
Spokane County commissioner candidates debate housing, public safety, economy
Spokane County Commissioner Al French and challenger Robbi Katherine Anthony traded viewpoints on public safety, housing, growth and economic development during a Thursday afternoon election debate at the Spokane Club.
Primary shows close race between Mike Volz and Kay Murano for 6th District House seat
A one-term Republican incumbent state representative will defend his seat in the West Plains against a Democratic challenger who hopes to grow awareness of housing issues at the state level.
6th District candidates answer student questions in EWU forum
Five candidates vying for the West Plains’ three open seats answered Eastern Washington University student’s questions on social policy and criminal justice reform in a public forum Wednesday.
Spokane will likely pick up $20,000-plus tab for Pence security
The Spokane Police Department estimates that Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Spokane may cost the city between $20,000 and $25,000.
County Commissioner Al French faces challenge from political newcomer Robbi Katherine Anthony
If you want experience, Al French is probably your pick for Spokane County Commission.
Mary Dye, Jenn Goulet battle in rematch for 9th District House seat
In southeastern Washington, state Rep. Mary Dye faces familiar opponent in the November election.
Spokane school bond would help Spanish immersion and On Track Academy programs
Two special programs that serve opposite ends of Spokane Public Schools’ broad collection of students stand to gain more space and traction as voters decide on a
City likely to cover the policing cost for Pence’s Spokane visit; new citizen thrilled to meet VP
The cost to the city of Spokane for providing police protection for Vice President Mike Pence’s visit likely will be in the thousands.
Shawn Vestal: Trump Baby brings blast of hot air to Spokane
The Trump Baby was every bit as much the enormous gaseous windsack as the man who inspired him, tethered in the Spokane breeze at the corner of Division and MLK Jr. Way.
Pence, on campaign stop in Spokane, says D.C. needs McMorris Rodgers
Vice President Mike Pence called U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers “one of the most important voices in Washington, D.C.” during a campaign luncheon for the Republican congresswoman Tuesday afternoon at the Spokane Convention Center.
Protesters inflate Baby Trump balloon outside Spokane campaign fundraiser featuring Mike Pence
It was Vice President Mike Pence who visited Spokane on Tuesday. But the focus of protesters outside his campaign fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers was his boss.
Whitworth professor Randy Michaelis challenges Rep. Jacqueline Maycumber in House race in 7th District
Longtime Whitworth University educator Randy Michaelis wants to represent northeast Washington in the state Legislature as a Democrat. But to do that, he will have to defeat Republican incumbent state Rep. Jacqueline Maycumber in the November election. And she appears to have an advantage. She took 67 percent of the vote in the August primary.
Where they stand: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown on taxes, trade deals and the budget
The largest piece of legislation passed by this Congress was last year’s federal tax bill, which made sweeping changes to both individual and corporate filers. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers says those changes have resulted in a more vibrant economy and is pushing for an extension of individual tax cuts that experts say will continue to swell the debt. Lisa Brown accused the GOP of “gimmicks” to keep the full financial effects of their tax cuts hidden from the American public.