Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Michael Cathcart

A candidate for Spokane City Council District 1 (Northeast), City of Spokane in the 2023 Washington General Election, Nov. 7

Age: 40

City: Spokane, Washington

Education: Went to University High School. Graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor's degree in motion picture arts. 

Political experience: Elected to the the Spokane City Council in 2019, and currently serves as the Spokane City Council president pro tem. Ran unsuccessfully for Spokane County commissioner in 2022. Serves as Spokane’s representative to the Regional Broadlinc Public Development Authority, chair of the Public Safety Committee, chair of the Northeast Public Development Authority, chair of the police and fire pension boards, vice-chair of the Finance Committee, and a current member of the Budget Committee, Spokane Police Advisory Committee and Traffic Calming Committee. Formerly served as vice chair of the Spokane City Council Public Infrastructure & Environment Committee, council liaison for the Spokane Park Board, council liaison for the city’s Employees Retirement System, volunteer for the Spokane Lunar New Year Celebration, chair of the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council, member of the city’s In-Fill Housing Steering Committee and a member of the Mayor’s Quality and Affordable Housing Taskforce.

Work experience: Spent five years as executive director of Better Spokane, a pro-business organization. Worked as an aide for former 6th Legislative District Sen. Michael Baumgartner. Former government affairs director for the Spokane Home Builders Association. 

Family: Married to Vina (Tran) Cathcart. Has a young son.

Political donations: Reported nearly $63,800 as of Oct. 3. Top donors include the Association of Builders and Contractors Political Action Committee, the Build East Political Action Commission, Spokane Realtors, the Spokane Homebuilders Association, manufacturing and engineering firm Pyrotek, and George, Jennifer, Theresa and Ryan Gee of the Gee Automotive Holdings company.

Candidate Channels

Race Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Michael Cathcart 7,909 56.18%
Lindsey Shaw 6,169 43.82%

Details & headlines

Related Coverage

Spokane City Council approves mayor’s $1.2 billion 2024 budget with some adjustments

After months of at-times bitter deliberation, the Spokane City Council unanimously approved a $1.2 billion budget Monday with few changes from the proposal introduced by Mayor Nadine Woodward earlier this month.

Spokane City Council approves property 1% tax boost

Spokane will raise its property taxes again next year.

Woodward concedes to Brown in Spokane mayor race

Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward has conceded the election to mayor-elect Lisa Brown, who leads the incumbent by nearly 3,000 votes as of Monday night.

‘Not the hill to die on’: Public can address Spokane City Council members after protest last week

After last week’s meeting was shut down during a protest over the Spokane City Council’s declaration of support for Israel and a rule limiting how speakers could address their elected leaders, Monday’s meeting proceeded without incident.

Voters approved Proposition 1 – and the elected politicians who oppose it. What now?

Spokane voters overwhelmingly approved major restrictions on camping in Tuesday’s election. But they also backed four of the five candidates who opposed those restrictions.

Woodward loses ground in second day of counting. Here’s what she would need to overtake Brown in mayoral race

The Spokane mayor race remains too close to call, though Lisa Brown’s lead over incumbent Nadine Woodward grew slightly Thursday with the latest batch of voting results.

Spokane voters criminalize homeless camps near places children gather

Frustrated with the growing issue of visible homelessness and urban blight, Spokane voters have criminalized encampments within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds and licensed child care facilities.

Wilkerson wins race for Spokane City Council president as liberals maintain control

Liberals maintained veto-proof control of the seven-person Spokane City Council, according to early results on election night.

Spokane City Council meeting shut down as pro-Palestinian protesters demand to speak

Pro-Palestinian protesters shut down a Spokane City Council meeting Monday over an October resolution in support of Israel and council rules they argue infringe on their First Amendment rights to petition their government.

Woodward releases final proposed 2024 budget. Some remain skeptical it will solve long-term problems.

The Spokane mayor’s office has released a final proposal for the city’s $1.2 billion 2024 budget, revising some of the projections and plans the administration suggested last month it could use to fill an approximately $20 million hole in the general fund.