Kate Telis
A candidate for Spokane City Council District 2 (South), City of Spokane in the 2025 Washington General Election, Nov. 4
City: Spokane, Washington
Education: Graduated from Hellgate High School in Missoula, Montana in 2001. Graduated with bachelor’s from Colby College in Maine in 2005. Graduated with a law degree from George Mason University Law School in 2012. Passed the Virginia Bar Exam in 2012 and the New Mexico Bar Exam in 2014.
Work experience: Worked for Sen. Max Baucus in Washington, D.C., from 2007 to 2009. Served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Jan Brodie of the Fairfax Circuit Court from 2012 to 2013. Worked as an Assistant District Attorney, prosecuting domestic violence felonies in New Mexico from 2014 to 2015. Served as development director for Cuidando Los Niños, a nonprofit supporting homeless families with children under the younger than the age of 5, from 2016 to 2017. Established the Law Office of Kate Telis and consulted with private law firms in New Mexico on cases involving sex trafficking and excessive use of force by law enforcement from 2017 to 2019. Moved to Spokane in 2019 and volunteered with the League of Women Voters, and Hutton Elementary. Founded a support group for parents with children diagnosed with ADHD in 2023 and is the current chapter lead of Spokane’s Moms Demand Action.
Political experience: Top three finalist for a recent vacancy for an appointment to the Spokane School Board in 2024. Volunteer coordinator for Maggie Yate’s campaign for county commissioner in 2022 and Paul Dillon’s campaign for City Council in 2023. Communications director for Molly Marshall’s campaign for county commissioner in 2024.
Family: Married to Alex Telis. They have two children, ages 4 and 9.
Campaign finance: Raised more than $93,100 as of Oct. 1, according to the PDC. Contributors include: New Mexico attorney Kelly Sanches; the Spokane Fire Fighters Union; Brian McClatchey, husband of Mayor Lisa Brown and former city council legal adviser; City Council President Betsy Wilkerson; former Democratic congressional candidate Don Barbieri; and the Washington Education Association.
Candidate Channels
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Kate Telis | 15,238 | 59.91% |
| Alejandro Barrientos | 10,197 | 40.09% |
Related Coverage
Kate Telis sworn in as newest Spokane City Council member, ending streak of appointees
South Spokane is now represented by a second elected council member for the first time since 2023, after Councilwoman Kate Telis was sworn in Tuesday.
Spokane progressives post strong showing on Election Night as voters signal they’re receptive to taxes
Spokane voters in early returns Tuesday mirrored national trends in their support for left-leaning politics and demonstrated an appetite for more taxes in spite of economic uncertainty.
Spokane City Council candidate Barrientos is sued for eligibility to run; a judge must hurry to decide
Three residents sued Spokane City Council candidate Alejandro Barrientos on Monday, questioning whether he resided in the district he is running to represent .
Spokane City Council candidate’s eligibility to run called into question
Alejandro Barrientos’ qualification to legally run for Spokane City Council is being scrutinized over questions about whether he met the residency requirement for candidates.
South Spokane City Council candidates talk successes, failures of homelessness policies
Homelessness has permeated Spokane streets and minds for years, and Spokane City Council hopeful Kate Telis or Alejandro Barrientos will be next in line to address the problem.
In the race to represent south Spokane, two council candidates ask voters what kind of Democrat they want to represent them
Of the three elections for the Spokane City Council this year, the race to represent the southern district is the only one where both candidates are from the same party and have the most significant policy overlap.
Washington ballots mailed on Election Day or even days in advance could be thrown out due to postmark delays
Washington voters who mail their ballots on Election Day this November, or even days in advance, could have their ballots thrown out as a result of compounding cost-cutting measures by the United States Postal Service leading to postmarking delays, local and state election officials are warning.
Candidates and capsaicin: Spokane City Council runners campaign over hot wings and habaneros
As the Nov. 4 election date grows closer, Spokane city council candidates got hot and bothered Sunday night, chowing down on fiery chicken wings and answering some of the “spiciest” questions about their campaigns.
Shelby Lambdin appointed to four-month stint on Spokane City Council
Shelby Lambdin was appointed to a four-month stint on the Spokane City Council Monday, filling a seat representing south Spokane vacated by former Councilwoman Lili Navarrete, who was herself appointed to the seat in early 2024 and resigned effective July 1 citing health concerns.
Conservative Spokane council candidates attack liberal majority at church’s candidate forum
Voters got a better look Tuesday at some of the conservatives running for Spokane City Council at a forum hosted by Calvary Spokane, where they were asked about a wide range of topics, including the church’s role in politics and whether buses are worthy public investments.