About the candidates

Dennis Hession, 61

Education : Graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Salt Lake City, in 1968. Psychology bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University, 1972. Law degree from Gonzaga University in 1980.

Career: Attorney and consultant. Director of special projects for Blue Water Technologies, a firm specializing in wastewater treatment. Served as interim director of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture for about a year starting in 2008.

Political: Elected to Spokane City Council, 2001, elected City Council president, 2003. Appointed Spokane mayor, 2005 (following recall of Mayor Jim West). Longtime member of Spokane Park Board. Served on numerous governmental and nonprofit boards.

Family: Married. Has four grown children.

Ben Stuckart , 39

Education: Graduated from Lewis and Clark High School, 1990. Bachelor’s degree in political science from Gonzaga University, 2001. Master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University, 2006.

Career: Executive director of Communities in Schools of Spokane County, former regional manager at TicketsWest, 2001 to 2007.

Political : First run for office. Spokane Arts commissioner. Board member of Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Was spokesman for last year’s campaign in support of the Children’s Investment Fund initiative, which was rejected by voters.

Family : Married.

On the Web: Read Hession’s and Stuckart’s answers to 25 questions on the issues at spokesman.com/election