Verner takes commanding lead in re-election bid

Spokane Mayor Mary Verner took a commanding lead in early results Tuesday, capturing 16,290 of the ballots cast in tonight’s primary election. Challenger David Condon laid claim to the second spot in the five-way race with 8,515 votes. The top-two vote getters advance to the November general election. Verner said she was “stunned” and “delighted” by her 61 percent showing. “I want to be re-elected as mayor, and I’m not going to let up until the finish,” she said. In the three-way race for Spokane City Council president, former Mayor Dennis Hession and challenger Ben Stuckart held the top two spots, with Steve Corker trailing in third. Corker called Hession and Stuckart this evening and conceded defeat. Rounding out the contested City Hall primaries, anti-tax activist Mike Fagan laid claim to the top spot with Donna McKereghan closing in on him in the six-way race to replace Bob Apple representing northeast Spokane. Meanwhile, in Spokane Valley, city council hopeful Marilyn Cline jumped to a comfortable lead over three other candidates with 3,702 votes. Ben Wick laid easy claim to the No. 2 spot with 2,288 ballots cast. In the contested Spokane School Board primary, candidate Deana Brower took the early lead with 9,270 votes. Sally Fullmer was in second place with 7,016 votes. In Medical Lake, incumbent City Council member Howard N. Jorgenson is leading the field with 257 votes, or 48 percent. Kent R. Reitmeier follows with 151 votes, or 28 percent.