Lori Kinnear
A candidate for Spokane City Council, south district, City of Spokane in the 2019 Washington General Election, Nov. 5
Age: 71
City: Spokane, WA
Occupation: Assistant to Spokane City Councilwoman Amber Waldref
Why running: Lori Kinnear is running to continue the work she has begun in her first term as a city councilwoman. That work includes collaborating with the city administration, police and fire departments to lower property crime rates. Kinnear also wants to continue her work promoting historic preservation. Browne’s Addition has applied for a historic district and overlay zone, and Kinnear wants to ensure other neighborhoods have the same opportunity. She is promoting the continued investment by the city in upgrading infrastructure, particularly in residential neighborhoods.
Her pitch: Kinnear says Spokane has come a long way since she first got involved in local politics but that she sees room for more progress to be made. She believes she can help steer the city toward responsible growth in a way that preserves the city’s character while allowing development along main corridors.
Education: Graduated from Palo Alto High School in California in 1971. Earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Nevada-Reno in 1978. Earned associate’s degree in applied science horticulture from South Seattle Community College in 1994.
Political experience: Kinnear worked as a legislative assistant to two former city council members, Amber Waldref and Richard Rush, prior to her election to a first term on the council in 2015.
Work experience: Served as a small-business adviser for Women’s Business Center and is a former manager of the YWCA Opportunity Center teaching job skills to low-income women.
Family: Married.
Contact information
More about Lori Kinnear
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Lori Kinnear | 17,846 | 68.58% |
| Tony Kiepe (N) | 8,176 | 31.42% |
Related Coverage
Police give City Council input on downtown policing resolution
Members of the Spokane Police Department and City Council met Thursday to discuss whether relocating a police precinct to the heart of downtown would be the best way to accomplish their shared goal of boosting officer presence downtown.
Spokane council members suggest moving police precinct back to heart of downtown
Four years after the city of Spokane moved its downtown police precinct away from the Spokane Transit Authority’s headquarters, City Council may explore the feasibility of bringing a precinct back to the heart of downtown and boosting police patrols on foot and bicycle.
Two primary opponents to Lori Kinnear say they would provide a new voice to City Council
An experienced member of the City Council will look to fend off two challengers in the primary race for District 2.
Spokane City Council candidates disagree on homelessness, affordable housing
Spokane City Council candidates were divided on how to make Spokane safer and reduce homelessness, with some arguing for mandatory drug treatment and more police, and others saying more housing was the best way to get people off the street.
Spokane leaders vote to increase tree canopy to 30% by 2030
More trees will be planted in Spokane during the next decade to provide more shade during hot summer days and filter storm water.
City considers requiring businesses to update outdated heated sidewalks
Two months after a dog was electrocuted on a heated sidewalk, the Spokane City Council is considering a new law that would require local businesses to update heated sidewalks to modern safety standards.
City hopes to grow tree canopy to 30 percent by 2030
City leaders hope to grow Spokane’s tree canopy by 30 percent by 2030, focusing on many of the city’s poorest, and most sparsely planted neighborhoods.
Under Kate Burke proposal, Spokane City Hall visitors could stay all day; critics say plan could turn lobby into day shelter
City Council could soon vote on a proposal to allow people to stay in City Hall’s lobby all day, which one council member said could turn the building into a warming shelter.