Al French
A candidate for Spokane County Commissioner, Spokane County Commission District 5 in the 2024 Washington General Election, Nov. 5
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Al French (R) | 29,485 | 51.34% |
| Molly Marshall (D) | 27,950 | 48.66% |
Related Coverage
Congressman-elect Michael Baumgartner endorses replacement county treasurer; county GOP pledges appointment is wide open
The Spokane County Republican Party will reject “cronyism” and consider applications from anyone eligible for appointment as the county treasurer after Congressman-elect Michael Baumgartner vacates that seat in January, said Rob Linebarger, a member of party leadership.
Election update: Marshall concedes race to French; natural gas initiative passes
Spokane County Commissioner Al French will help guide the county for another four years after Democratic challenger Molly Marshall conceded the District 5 race Friday.
French maintains lead over Marshall; handful of local, state races too close to call
Local and state candidates and measures saw little separation from opponents after the latest ballot count Thursday.
Incumbent French grows early lead in Spokane County Commissioner race, many local and statewide races still too close to call after second tally
A number of races and ballot measures, ranging from Washington’s highest court to public schools in Cheney, remained too close to call Wednesday.
French leads in hotly contested Spokane County Commissioner race, but it’s too close to call
Second only to the presidential contest, the most anticipated race in Spokane County was too close to call after Tuesday’s initial tally.
Getting There: Spokane Transit Authority looks to improve services in eastern portions of the county
The Spokane Transit Authority is expanding its footprint in Spokane Valley, in more ways than one.
Spokane County Commissioner Al French accuses opposition of violating campaign finance law in flurry of complaint filings
As the general election inches closer, outside spenders are pouring money into the race between County Commissioner Al French and opponent Molly Marshall.
French, Marshall clash on housing, homelessness and cooperation at KSPS hosted debate
Three weeks before voters determine who wins a seat on the Spokane County Commission, the candidates took another chance to argue why it should be them to represent the southwestern part of the county.
Candidate Conversations: County Commissioner Al French
Spokane County Commissioner Al French talks with Spokesman-Review local government reporter Nick Gibson about his re-election campaign. (French’s opponent in the race, Molly Marshall, declined to participate in Candidate Conversations.)
In his final bid for office, County Commissioner Al French faces challenge from a National Guard veteran, neighborhood activist
Spokane County Commissioner Al French will need to survive a challenge from a career Air National Guardsman -turned -neighborhood activist if he hopes to serve a fifth term on the county’s governing board.