Ralph Baker starts first race for office

It could be a long campaign for Republican Ralph Baker.

Baker filed Tuesday to run for Spokane County assessor, a post he was appointed to in January.

But because this is a race to serve out the year remaining in former Assessor Duane Sommers’ term, if Baker wins, he’ll have to run again next year for a full four-year term.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into a good campaign. I’ll have to essentially run two years in a row,” he said.

Baker, a Republican, served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1999. He earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Northeast Louisiana University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Northern Colorado.

Baker said his experience has made him a good manager, able to oversee the assessor’s office.

“The second thing is a simple willingness to work to comply with the law and be a good listener to the people I serve,” he said.

Before being appointed county assessor, Baker worked as Sommers’ chief deputy for two years.

He said serving as assessor for seven months has been rewarding, although he doesn’t enjoy taking angry calls from people upset about their property assessments.

This year the average assessment went up 18 percent because of rising property values.

“I don’t create the market, I just follow it,” said Baker, adding that he’s required to make sure assessments are as close to market value as possible.

Baker said he’s concerned that the state limit on jurisdictions’ ability to raise their property tax levies 1 percent each year, absent a public vote, is making it difficult for cities to make ends meet, particularly with the rising costs of employee health care.

“We were at 6 percent. Now we’re at 1 percent, and I think we’ve swung too far,” he said.

The assessor’s salary is $77,000 a year.

So far Baker has no opponent, but candidates have until 5 p.m. Friday to file for office.