Spokane City Council, NW district
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Zack Zappone | 8,107 | 51.57% |
| Christopher Savage | 4,550 | 28.94% |
| Cody Arguelles | 3,063 | 19.48% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
The Candidates
Zack Zappone
- Age:
- 35
- City:
- Spokane, Washington
Education: Graduated from North Central High School in 2009. Earned bachelor’s degree in American studies from Georgetown University. Earned teaching certificate from the University of Washington in 2014. Earned master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University in 2019.
Work experience: Social studies teacher at North Central High School, 2021 to present. Worked as a Kennewick Public School middle school teacher, 2013-2016. Was a Fulbright English teaching fellow at Columbia University, 2016-2017. Worked as substitute teacher in Spokane Public Schools, 2019-2021. Worked as Better Health Together program manager, 2020-2021. Serves as president of North Central Alumni Association.
Political experience: Elected to Spokane City Council in 2021. Serves on the boards of the Spokane Transit Authority, Association of Washington Cities and Visit Spokane. Previously served on the board of the Spokane Regional Transportation board.
Family: Partner Tyler Colean. Two children.
Campaign finance: Reported raising nearly $67,200 as of Oct. 6, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Donors include the Washington Education Association Political Action Committee, the Spokane Firefighters Union PAC, Avista, Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, Spokane City Councilwoman Kitty Klitzke, former Spokane City Council members Jon Snyder and Ryan Oelrich, former Spokane County Democratic Party Chairman Tom Keefe and former state Sen. Majority Leader Andy Billig.
Christopher Savage
- Age:
- 35
- City:
- Spokane, Washington
Education: Graduated from North Central High School in 2009. Completed some coursework at Western Washington University.
Work Experience: Works as DeVries courier, 2024-present. Worked as warehouse manager at a Project Beauty Share facility, 2021-2024. Previously worked as pizza delivery driver, security guard and as Lyft driver.
Political experience: Lost bids for Spokane City Council in 2019, 2021, 2023. Serves as Balboa/South Indian Trail Community Assembly representative, 2018-present. Served as vice chair of the Admin Committee for Community Assembly, 2020-2022; vice chair of Spokane Salary Review Commission, 2018-2021; board member for Meals on Wheels, 2020-present, including as president of the board, 2023-2024; secretary commissioner for Spokane Water Conservancy Commission, 2021-2023; commissioner on the Spokane County Water Conservancy Commission, 2019-2023.
Family: Single. No children.
Campaign finance: Reported raising nearly $86,000 as of Oct. 6, according to the PDC. Donors include former City Council members Bob Apple and Steve Corker, former NBA player John Stockton and his wife, Nada Stockton, Mark and Pam Walker of Walker’s Furniture, the Washington Multi Family Housing Association, the Rental Housing Association of Washington, major property owner Alvin Wolff Jr., the Spokane Home Builders Association PAC, the Washington Association of Realtors PAC and developer Larry Stone.
Cody Arguelles
- City:
- Spokane, Washington
Education: Graduated from La Costa Canyon High School, in Carlsbad, California, in 2011. Attending Washington State University, studying architecture
Work experience: Founder and co-owner of the Late Arrival Club, a cigar club in Spokane. Served as a survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist in the U.S. Air Force, 2020–24. Previously worked in marketing.
Political experience: First run for elected office. Serves as president of the Veterans Committee at Washington State University
Family: Married to Jeanne Arguelles. Has one child.
Campaign finance: Reported raising $28,000, as of July 10, 2025, according to the state PDC. Donors include Peppertree Hospitality Group, Rita Santillanes of Peppertree, Rencorp developer Chris Batten, Golden Rule Brake owner Dallas Low, businessman and founder of Playfair Commerce Park Larry Stone and former City Councilman Brad Stark.
Complete Coverage
Candidates are skeptical Spokane’s tougher approach to homelessness will sway voters
There have been a handful of October surprises ahead of this year’s Spokane City Council races, those last-minute events that may or may not sway voters in the waning days before the election.
Spokane City Council candidates Zappone, Savage debate homelessness
In Spokane, homelessness has been on local streets and minds for years, and either Spokane City Council incumbent Zack Zappone or newcomer Christopher Savage will be elected to help address the problem.
New rules on street camping draw bipartisan support from Spokane leaders
It was an oddity of Spokane politics.
Spokane’s anti-homeless camping laws would focus more on enforcement under new proposal
Weeks after city leaders acknowledged the need for major reforms to Spokane’s anti-homeless camping laws, a draft ordinance filed for emergency consideration would move away from the heavy emphasis on outreach and more towards criminal enforcement.
Ad attacking Bingle falsely attributes wrong committee in apparent violation of state law
An attack ad against Spokane City Councilman Jonathan Bingle, who is running for re-election against reproductive rights organizer Sarah Dixit, was allegedly produced by an independent political committee funded by two unions that have endorsed Bingle.
Spokane council, mayor’s office look for urgent fix to homeless laws they passed three months ago
Three months ago, the Spokane City Council approved a new law backed by Mayor Lisa Brown outlawing the homeless from camping anywhere within city limits, though with numerous exceptions and an emphasis on outreach that opponents believed was toothless and would be ineffective.
Policy disagreements and personal attacks: Northwest Spokane council race pits incumbent against perennial challenger
The race to represent Northwest Spokane on the City Council pits a progressive incumbent against a conservative challenger who served alongside each other in student government in high school, and it has seen some of the most personal attacks of the local election season.
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.
Judge dismisses Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht’s lawsuit against Spokane and city council members
A lawsuit filed by Christian nationalist Sean Feucht against the city of Spokane and several City Council members last year was dismissed by a superior court judge Thursday.
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.
Zappone will face Savage for Spokane City Council seat in November election
The fourth time was the charm for delivery driver Christopher Savage, who along with incumbent Spokane City Councilman Zack Zappone will advance to the November election for a city council seat representing northwest Spokane.
Voters decide tax asks Tuesday and who advances in a number of local elections
Tuesday is the last chance for Washington voters to help winnow candidates in local elections.
Campaign cash in Spokane elections falls along typical lines — even in race with two Democrats
Washington’s primary elections are Tuesday, and while Spokane’s City Council races aren’t yet attracting the kind of big money they did in 2023, hundreds of thousands of dollars are already pouring in.
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.
Shelby Lambdin likely appointee to Spokane City Council
A South Hill resident will soon be appointed to a four-month stint on the Spokane City Council, and it appears nearly certain to be Shelby Lambdin, the population health director at the Community Health Association of Spokane, more commonly known as CHAS Health.
Four applicants vie for appointment to four-month stint on Spokane City Council ahead of July 28 vote
By the end of July, one of four people will be appointed for a four-month stint on the Spokane City Council to fill a seat vacated by former Councilwoman Lili Navarrete, who resigned citing health concerns effective July 1.
Northwest Spokane features only City Council race on August primary ballots
There are three seats on the Spokane City Council up for election this year, but only one has enough candidates to appear on ballots for the fast approaching August primary: northwest Spokane.
Spokane outlaws homeless camping citywide but prioritizes outreach over citations
Spokane finally has a new law on the books banning homeless people from camping on or obstructing public property, but it remains to be seen how it will function or how strict it will be, given its lack of hard and fast enforcement requirements.
Public to soon be asked to weigh in on their favorite STA CEO candidate – except there’s only one, and it’s still a secret who
Three people appear to have effectively decided earlier this month who will be the next Spokane regional public transit CEO – one of the highest-paid government jobs in the county – with essentially no public input or vetting process.
Spokane council to consider stronger labor requirements for city projects of $5 million or above
Contractors bidding to build Spokane’s city roads, facilities and other public infrastructure may soon have to show that one-fifth of the project’s labor will come from underrepresented or impoverished communities living in the city, as well as ensure affordable day care and other benefits.