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4th Legislative District

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Welcome to the Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2025 Primary election! Since 2008, we've compiled information about candidates and ballot measures that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. You can learn about our partners and decision-making process here. We will continue to add additional recommendations until voting begins on July 16.

City Races

Depending on where you live, you may have the below city races on your ballot.

Spokane City Council

Zack Zappone is running for re-election for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2. Zappone is a local high school English teacher and has served on the Spokane City Council since 2021. According to The Spokesman-Review, Zappone is also the first openly queer leader elected to the council, advocating for progressive causes such as increased housing density, eliminating Spokane transit fares, and reducing barriers for community events.

Zappone is running on a progressive campaign, saying "everyone deserves a fair shot." During his first term, Zappone championed many progressive solutions such as approving renter protections, making streets more walker and biker-friendly, and investing in affordable housing units. In his current campaign, Zappone aims to continue making Spokane a safer and more affordable place to live. 

Zappone is by far the best choice in this race for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2.
 

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Zack Zappone is running for re-election for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2. Zappone is a local high school English teacher and has served on the Spokane City Council since 2021. According to The Spokesman-Review, Zappone is also the first openly queer leader elected to the council, advocating for progressive causes such as increased housing density, eliminating Spokane transit fares, and reducing barriers for community events.

Zappone is running on a progressive campaign, saying "everyone deserves a fair shot." During his first term, Zappone championed many progressive solutions such as approving renter protections, making streets more walker and biker-friendly, and investing in affordable housing units. In his current campaign, Zappone aims to continue making Spokane a safer and more affordable place to live. 

Zappone is by far the best choice in this race for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2.
 

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Endorsed By: SEIU Local 925 , Washington Bikes , Housing Action Fund , SEIU 775 , Washington Conservation Action , Fuse , Spokane Regional Labor Council

Other Candidates

Two conservatives are challenging Zach Zappone for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2. Christopher Savage and Cody Arguelles

Savage is running a conservative campaign based on fear-mongering about rising crime and homelessness. He is a proponent of passing and enforcing "sit and lie" ordinances that essentially criminalize homelessness. Rather than seeking solutions that address the root of the issue, he blames youth criminal activity and reckless speeding on insufficient policing in Spokane. His campaign Twitter account follows several conservative accounts, including Brian Heywood's Let's Go Washington organization.

Cody Arguelles owns a cigar lounge in downtown Spokane and is an architecture student at Washington State University. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Arguelles is running a conservative campaign and has been endorsed by several prominent conservative figures, including anti-trans council member Jonathan Bingle. His campaign focuses on homelessness, public safety, and bringing business to Spokane. His campaign rhetoric suggests that unhoused people are a threat to public safety and that the solution to homelessness is hiring more police officers.

Zappone is the clear choice for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2.

Last updated: 2025-06-30

Two conservatives are challenging Zach Zappone for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2. Christopher Savage and Cody Arguelles

Savage is running a conservative campaign based on fear-mongering about rising crime and homelessness. He is a proponent of passing and enforcing "sit and lie" ordinances that essentially criminalize homelessness. Rather than seeking solutions that address the root of the issue, he blames youth criminal activity and reckless speeding on insufficient policing in Spokane. His campaign Twitter account follows several conservative accounts, including Brian Heywood's Let's Go Washington organization.

Cody Arguelles owns a cigar lounge in downtown Spokane and is an architecture student at Washington State University. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Arguelles is running a conservative campaign and has been endorsed by several prominent conservative figures, including anti-trans council member Jonathan Bingle. His campaign focuses on homelessness, public safety, and bringing business to Spokane. His campaign rhetoric suggests that unhoused people are a threat to public safety and that the solution to homelessness is hiring more police officers.

Zappone is the clear choice for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2.

Last updated: 2025-06-30

Spokane Valley City Council

Kristopher "Kris" Pockell is running for Spokane Valley City Council, Position 1. He is a software engineering manager and has founded a tech company, as well as having run unsuccessfully for various political positions in the past. In 2015, Pockell ran as a Libertarian for a Spokane Valley Fire Department commissioner seat. He also ran for the State House to represent Legislative District 4 with no party preference.

In his current campaign for city council, Pockell is running on a more moderate platform that emphasizes public safety, economic development, and infrastructure. He is supportive of the police force, bringing business to the city, and promoting connectivity, but does not suggest any specific policy proposals.

Mike Kelly is also running for Position 1. Kelly is a local business owner and a former member of the Spokane Valley City Planning Commission. He spent most of his career in real estate-related work, after an early conviction and incarceration for drug-selling-related offenses. He attributes his early sentence to a life of renewed purpose, accountability, and commitment to building an ethical life. Kelly previously ran as a Republican to represent Legislative District 4 in the state Senate.

Kelly is currently running a conservative campaign to "protect Valley freedoms, grow Valley businesses, and reject Spokane failures." His website offers no policy proposals or concrete actions. Like other far-right candidates across the country, Kelly is campaigning to remove public curricula that teach accurate American history and multiculturalism.

Lisa Miller is the final candidate running for Position 1. Miller previously served on the city council for the Valley Village neighborhood of Los Angeles. She serves on the Spokane County Board of Equalization as well as the Spokane Valley Homeless Housing Task Force since 2023.

As of late June, Miller does not have a campaign website published. She also said that public safety and ensuring a full staff of police officers is her top priority. Furthermore, Miller said police officers need to be adequately equipped to handle cybercrimes as they are on the rise. Aside from public safety, her other campaign goals are not available.

With two moderate-to-conservative candidates and one underdeveloped campaign, this race has no good choices. We recommend writing in a progressive candidate of your choice.

Kristopher "Kris" Pockell is running for Spokane Valley City Council, Position 1. He is a software engineering manager and has founded a tech company, as well as having run unsuccessfully for various political positions in the past. In 2015, Pockell ran as a Libertarian for a Spokane Valley Fire Department commissioner seat. He also ran for the State House to represent Legislative District 4 with no party preference.

In his current campaign for city council, Pockell is running on a more moderate platform that emphasizes public safety, economic development, and infrastructure. He is supportive of the police force, bringing business to the city, and promoting connectivity, but does not suggest any specific policy proposals.

Mike Kelly is also running for Position 1. Kelly is a local business owner and a former member of the Spokane Valley City Planning Commission. He spent most of his career in real estate-related work, after an early conviction and incarceration for drug-selling-related offenses. He attributes his early sentence to a life of renewed purpose, accountability, and commitment to building an ethical life. Kelly previously ran as a Republican to represent Legislative District 4 in the state Senate.

Kelly is currently running a conservative campaign to "protect Valley freedoms, grow Valley businesses, and reject Spokane failures." His website offers no policy proposals or concrete actions. Like other far-right candidates across the country, Kelly is campaigning to remove public curricula that teach accurate American history and multiculturalism.

Lisa Miller is the final candidate running for Position 1. Miller previously served on the city council for the Valley Village neighborhood of Los Angeles. She serves on the Spokane County Board of Equalization as well as the Spokane Valley Homeless Housing Task Force since 2023.

As of late June, Miller does not have a campaign website published. She also said that public safety and ensuring a full staff of police officers is her top priority. Furthermore, Miller said police officers need to be adequately equipped to handle cybercrimes as they are on the rise. Aside from public safety, her other campaign goals are not available.

With two moderate-to-conservative candidates and one underdeveloped campaign, this race has no good choices. We recommend writing in a progressive candidate of your choice.