Roskelley, Mccaslin Return Commission Incumbents Campaigned On County’S Healthy Financial Status

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

With Spokane County government running along better than it has in years, voters weren’t in the mood to change drivers Tuesday.

John Roskelley and Kate McCaslin easily won re-election to four-year terms.

Roskelley, a Democrat, was leading Republican Karl Wilkinson in the District 1 race, and McCaslin, a Republican, was beating Democrat Bill Burke in the District 2 contest.

The incumbents said Tuesday that they feel voters have confidence that the current board is doing a good job.

Roskelley and McCaslin campaigned on nearly identical platforms, touting the county’s healthy financial status and promising to balance future economic growth with quality of life issues such as adequate roads and parks.

“I think we’ve been able to build trust with the voters over the last four years,” said McCaslin, surrounded by exultant supporters at the WestCoast Grand Hotel. “I’d like to think that it was the hard work we’ve been able to do over the past four years.”

Roskelley agreed.

“I think they look at me as doing a good job and bringing a balance to the commission, so they’re willing to put up with me for another four years,” said the former mountain climber, whose critics tried to paint him as an environmental extremist during the campaign.

The results of the election also show that county residents are mindful of quality-of-life issues, even as they clamor for better-paying jobs and a more vigorous economy, Roskelley said.

“They want to protect the shorelines, the wetlands,” he said. “I think they’re very concerned about what’s to come in the next four years, and really, the years beyond.”

The race was one of the most expensive and closely watched county commission elections in recent history.

The four candidates spent nearly $270,000 combined during the campaign, and more than a dozen organizations hosted forums and debates.

The challengers, and their supporters in the business and development community, tried to make the local economy the focus of the race.

Wilkinson and Burke both argued during the campaign that Roskelley and McCaslin were more worried about the county’s financial status than that of their constituents.

They criticized the size of the county’s reserve account, which is expected to contain about $13 million by year’s end.

Burke, promoter of the popular Pig Out in the Park food festival, echoed those sentiments Tuesday night as he gathered with the party faithful at the Ridpath Hotel in downtown Spokane.

“It’s obvious Spokane wants a change - obvious,” said Burke, who called McCaslin a “bean counter” at several campaign stops. “I was able to bring a lot of issues to the race. Let’s talk about representation. Let’s talk about jobs.”

Burke, 49, said he was “ecstatic” about his showing in the race. “I came out of left field and was able to get this much? That’s great,” he said, adding that he may run again. “The test now will be making sure Kate McCaslin keeps her promises over the next four years.”

Wilkinson, who also attended the Republican Party’s party at the WestCoast Grand Hotel, said he was disappointed in his showing.

The former East Valley School Board member had received the endorsements of most of the county’s public employees unions and raised about $90,000 during the campaign, nearly a third more than Roskelley.

“I thought I would do better than that,” Wilkinson, 51, said.

“Those who know what’s going on (at the Courthouse) feel a need for someone who values people more. Hopefully, I’ve gotten John to focus more on people.”

Some members of the building and development communities, who feel Roskelley and McCaslin are hostile to business interests, poured thousands of dollars in the challengers’ campaigns. Industrialist Raymond Hanson, who feuded with the county in general and Roskelley specifically, formed a political action committee in an attempt to oust the incumbents, and the Spokane Home Builders Association mobilized to support Wilkinson and Burke.

Roskelley in particular faced formidable opposition.

His enemies saw in Wilkinson a viable, likable candidate, and they threw tremendous support behind him.

Republican Sheriff Mark Sterk actively stumped for Wilkinson, and at one point penned a fund-raising letter for the challenger that accused Roskelley of putting children in danger by not sufficiently funding public safety.

Staff writer Mike Roarke contributed to this report.