Primary Election Will Be Quiet For Some County Races

Thu., Sept. 10, 1998

By Craig Welch craigw@olywa.net

Several Spokane County races in next week’s primary election may go by virtually unnoticed because candidates are not challenged, at least until November.

Thomas Fallquist, a Republican, has no challengers from either party for the post of county clerk, a job that pays $59,000 annually.

Treasurer Linda Wolverton, a Democrat, also has no challengers from either party. Her job also pays $59,000 a year.

Two men will get passes during the primary race for county prosecutor. Incumbent Jim Sweetser, a Democrat, will face former Washington State Patrol trooper and private attorney Steve Tucker, a Republican, in November for the $88,871-a-year post.

The retirement of Sheriff John Goldman opens that race to two newcomers, neither of whom faces primary opposition. Lt. Jim Finke, a Democrat, has been with the sheriff’s department 24 years. Spokane Police Sgt. Mark Sterk, a Republican, served as a legislator from the Valley before stepping down this spring to run for sheriff.

That job pays $82,000 a year.

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