Strategist Massages The Message Talbott Adviser Thrives On Tension, Energy Of Politics

There’s almost nothing Erik Skaggs likes better than plotting a little political strategy.

Long before the 34-year-old Spokane man linked with Metropolitan Mortgage and Securities to change City Hall, he’d racked up a significant political resume.

He worked for state Sens. Jim West and John Moyer, and U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt. He later helped elect Mayor John Talbott and is one of his key advisers.

Skaggs talks about campaigns the way an athlete talks about sports.

The intensity. The adrenaline. The win.

“I like the energy, it’s a high-stress time,” he says. “I enjoy that competitive environment.”

Except for a failed run for City Council in 1993, Skaggs has operated behind the scenes.

Those who’ve worked against him note his anything-to-win campaigns.

“Whenever Erik is involved, I’m concerned about what kind of a campaign it is going to be,” says Ken Pelo, chairman of the Spokane County Democratic Party. “He manages to conduct pretty hard-hitting campaigns. It’s not just discussing issues, it can get into real mud-slinging.”

Skaggs is the first to admit he may have crossed the line once or twice. He mentions Republican Sen. John Moyer’s 1996 re-election campaign against then-Rep. Lisa Brown.

A series of ads approved by Skaggs suggested that Brown coddled sex offenders.

“We attacked her harder than we should have,” Skaggs says.

Voters took offense and turned away from Moyer.

“I learned a big lesson in that one,” Skaggs says. “It was a reminder that when the campaign is over, you still have to wake up and live in the city.”

He credits his high school debate teacher in Bakersfield, Calif., for channeling his talent for talk.

“I learned to stand toe-to-toe with anyone and defend my ideas,” Skaggs says. “It was bareknuckle verbal sparring, and I loved it.”

After graduating from the University of California at Irvine, he tracked legislative issues in Washington state and California.

In 1991, Skaggs went to work as the administrative assistant for West, now his friend and mentor.

“Erik is a great strategist,” says Dan Kirschner, director of public affairs for the Spokane Chamber of Commerce and another former West employee. “He is really clued in on what resonates with people.”

“I like message,” Skaggs says. “I like understanding what messages will move people. Which message will help someone get elected.”

He was the campaign manager for George Nethercutt when he toppled U.S. House Speaker Tom Foley in 1994.

In 1997, Skaggs went to work running Metropolitan Mortgage’s governmental affairs office. The job offers him the chance to sharpen his skills tracking issues, developing campaigns and running polls.

Skaggs represents the company on local and regional committees studying light rail, the convention center expansion, the Business Improvement District, and the Spokane downtown plan. He’s co-chairman of the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce legislative committee.

He also represents Metropolitan in the West Central neighborhood where most of the company’s undeveloped Summit Property is located.

“I think it is a good fit for the company and for Erik,” West says. “Metropolitan has been overlooked in Spokane for a long time. Paul Sandifur needed someone to help him articulate his message in the community. Erik can do that.”