Al French
A candidate for Spokane County Commissioner, District 5, Spokane County in the 2022 Washington Primary Election, Aug. 2
Party: Republican
Age: 74
City: Spokane, Washington
Education: Graduated from Western High School in Las Vegas. Earned bachelor's in architecture and minored in business finance at the University of Idaho.
Political experience: Has served three four-year terms and one two-year term as a Spokane County commissioner. Served two terms on the Spokane City Council from 2002 to 2009. Served as the Nevada-Lidgerwood Neighborhood Council president from 1995 to 2001.
Work experience: Served in the Marine Corps from 1969 to 1972. Worked as an officer candidate school instructor in Quantico, Virginia. Has been an architect and developer in Spokane since 1977. Spent much of his career designing retail buildings.
Family: Married to Rosalie French. Has a daughter and a grandson.
Fundraising: Has raised nearly $195,000 as of Oct. 2, 2024, including a $5,000 loan to himself and more than $20,000 he’s given himself via in-kind contributions, according to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. Prominent donors include a long list of contractors, home builders and political action committees representing the development industry. French also has donations from Highline Grain Growers; Avista Corporation CEO Dennis Vermillion; former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward; Spokane Valley City Councilman Rod Higgins; Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley; former Spokane Valley Mayor Diana Wilhite; state Rep. Leonard Christian; Daniel Kuney, brother-in-law of Commissioner Mary Kuney; and longtime conservative candidate contributor Duane Alton, who owned Alton’s Tires until 2008.
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Maggie Yates (D) | 13,590 | 44.56% |
| Al French (R) | 12,564 | 41.20% |
| Don A. Harmon (R) | 3,478 | 11.40% |
| Tara Carter (I) | 866 | 2.84% |
Related Coverage
Could a $150 million stormwater project fuel more development on the West Plains?
S3R3 Solutions, the public development authority on the West Plains, hopes a massive stormwater infrastructure project could be an economic development boon for the region.
Three challengers hope to bring down Al French in race for Spokane County Commission District 5
French, who’s been an elected official for two decades, will try to fend off Maggie Yates, Tara Carter and former Airway Heights Mayor Don Harmon.
Republicans call for thorough review of 2020 Spokane County election, but county officials unlikely to be able to fulfill request
The Spokane County Republican Party wants a complete review of the county’s election system by a third party, but the county commissioners say they can’t legally authorize it.
Spokane County won’t put property tax on August ballot for Avista Stadium upgrades
The question may still be left to voters, but it won’t be answered during the summer primary election.
Don Harmon, Airway Heights’ mayor in the late 1990s, enters county commission race against Al French
Harmon, 76, is keeping his campaign platform simple — he’s focused on police and roads.
Spokane County filing week kicks of with three surprise candidates, but few bombshells
Airway Heights’ mayor from the late ‘90s, Karen Stratton’s former legislative assistant and a formerly incarcerated person of color were the only unexpected names to file to run for election in the August primary.
Getting There: Spokane County works out deal to acquire closed BNSF bridge near Airway Heights
A rotting wooden bridge over the railroad tracks on the West Plains has infuriated residents for three years. At long last, the county announced it’s worked out an arrangement with the railroad to fix the problem.
Supported release, a Spokane County criminal justice reform proposal, turns a corner
After months of disagreement, county criminal justice leaders are now unanimously in favor of a supported release pilot program.
For nearly 20 years, chronic flooding has made life miserable for some West Plains homeowners. Spokane County hopes a $5.5 million project will be the solution
The sun is out, the sky is blue and Raspberry Avenue on the West Plains is full of puddles.
Political newcomer emerges as first 2022 challenger for Spokane County Commissioner Al French
District Court Clerk Tara Carter said she’d focus on helping the homeless if elected to the newly created 5th commissioner district, which covers the West Plains and parts of Spokane.