Beggs extends lead over Wendle to more than 300 votes in race for Spokane council president

City Councilman Breean Beggs’ lead overlocal businesswoman Cindy Wendle in the race for Spokane City Council president grew by more than 300 votes after more ballots were counted Wednesday night.

On election night, Wendle led by more than 700 votes. A week later, Beggs took the lead by just 7 votes.

Now with about 3,900 votes left to count in the city, Beggs has 31,851 votes to Wendle’s 31,535.

The margin is barely within the requirement for an automatic machine recount. Either candidate can also request a recount.

A recount would begin after the initial election is certified Nov. 25 and would push certification of the race into December.

Incumbent Karen Stratton still led challenger Andy Rathbun for the District 3 seat on City Council after Wednesday’s count.

Stratton had 11,356 votes to Rathbun’s 11,067, a separation of 289 votes.

The gap has steadily increased over the last few counts and is up from 236 votes on Tuesday.

If Stratton and Beggs win, the council will retain a veto-proof liberal majority. If Wendle and Rathbun win, they will join newcomer Michael Cathcart as a moderate to conservative counterweight to the progressives currently on council.