Public Periscope
Not a huge surprise here
The Building Industry Association of Washington has announced its endorsements in this fall’s campaigns and, not surprisingly, all Republican legislators in Spokane got the nod and checks ranging from $200 to $525 each - except one. … The association also sent $10,000 to the state Supreme Court campaign of incumbent Richard Sanders and $2,000 to incumbent Barbara Madsen. That’s a lot of money in comparison to the legislative races, but remember there are no limits on what one can give a Supreme Court justice’s campaign. … So who was left off the association’s list, basically being relegated to the same status as a - shudder - liberal Democrat? State Sen. Jim West, who still is not on such good terms with the organization because of that little phone message he left for its executive director, Tom McCabe.
You have the right to remain silent
Speaking of West’s problems over that phone call, it seems candidates might need to have their own version of the Miranda warning that anything they say during their campaigns can be used against them in a court of law. … In trying to make his point that West actually had meant to intimidate McCabe, Olympia Deputy Prosecutor Ed DeCosta referred to the senator’s recent campaign mailing. In it, West explained that when he had said McCabe would be “dead,” he meant “politically ‘dead’ in that his future in politics would be limited.” … That’s a threat for a lobbyist, DeCosta says. West’s lawyer, Jim Lobsenz, argues such comments are politically protected free speech. A jury will decide who’s right sometime later this year.
It’s not that big a family
After Democratic challenger Kathy Reid raised questions of nepotism against Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris last week, the Republican official was a bit defensive and a tad annoyed. Two of Harris’ sons have gone to work for the county since he was elected in 1994, but it’s not a violation of county policy, he said, because he had nothing to do with their hiring. … At the very least, Harris said, he wanted to make sure the scale of the accusations was accurate: “There’re 15 Harrises in this county, and I guarantee you they’re not all my kin.”
Catch the candidates
Friday: Republican U.S. Senate candidates Chris Bayley and Linda Smith in a televised debate before a Spokane studio audience, 8:30 p.m., “Spokane This Week,” KSPS-TV, Channel 7.
This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Tuesday: Citizens can review options for improving U.S. Highway 195 in southwest Spokane between Hatch Road and Interstate 90 at an open house sponsored by the state Department of Transportation, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 314 S. Spruce.