Spokane County

Sen. Patty Murray has been a consistent and strong progressive voice in the U.S. Senate. She's seeking re-election to continue fighting for our basic rights and a higher quality of life in Washington and beyond.

Murray was first elected in 1992 and has been a champion for veterans, working families, women, and economic opportunities for all. Before her tenure in the Senate, Murray worked as a preschool teacher, on the Shoreline School Board, and in the Washington state Senate.

During her time in Congress, Sen. Murray has worked hard to keep our communities safe from gun violence, pass abortion rights at the federal level so that everyone has reproductive freedom, and expand access to affordable childcare. This year, she voted in support of the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and a slate of other progressive bills that invest in working communities so that our country is a place where everyone can thrive. Murray has earned an impressive and diverse coalition of endorsements from local and national organizations, elected leaders, and unions.

Sen. Patty Murray is a national leader on many of the most important issues facing our country. She has earned your vote for re-election.

Ann Marie Danimus is running for U.S. Representative in the 5th Congressional District to develop a more equitable economy for working families. As a double-transplant recipient who has had to navigate the mires of the U.S. health care system, Danimus wants to see improvements at the national level from a representative who will support rural communities. She is an executive board member of the Spokane County Democrats as well as a precinct committee officer. She has served in numerous community organizations, including as founder of Stubborn Girl Fund 4 Arts and Education as well as Raise the Roof.

Compared to Hill, more of Danimus' focus is on small businesses and rural jobs. She wants to regionalize sustainable farming, create federal grants for localized meat production, and reduce greenhouse gases in transport. She also supports single-payer health care and wants to draft bills to reduce veteran suicide. In our questionnaire from Danimus, she also highlighted the need for federal tax reform and her desire to expand the U.S. House so elected officials could better represent and advocate for their districts.

Danimus has pledged to take no money from corporations, corporate PACs, or corporate lobbyists, and is endorsed by one county and one legislative district Democratic group.

Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson is running as a nonpartisan candidate to bring an independent voice to the secretary of state's office. Anderson served on the Tacoma City Council before running for county auditor in 2009 and winning re-election three times. As Pierce County auditor, which is a nonpartisan position, she has administered dozens of elections while also overseeing licensing and public record-keeping.

Anderson is running as a nonpartisan candidate because she believes political parties shouldn't be involved in running elections they are simultaneously trying to win. Her campaign priorities include supporting more local races becoming nonpartisan, increasing access to voting and election information, and improving election security. She wants to translate the voters' pamphlet into 10 languages, going beyond what is mandated by the Voting Rights Act. She also wants to conduct risk-limiting audits in all 39 Washington counties and "pre-bunk" rumors to increase confidence in our state's election systems.

While Hobbs spoke more about using cybersecurity to protect our elections, Anderson leaned on her professional expertise to describe ways to expand our democracy. She believes, for example, that the state should redouble its efforts to reach voters with disabilities. By using a secure, expert-vetted electronic ballot similar to those used for overseas military voters, Anderson sees a path forward to reach those who don't always have access to vote.

During our interview, Anderson expressed support for ranked choice voting because she believes it will allow candidates to break through our two-party political system. She supports grants for local jurisdictions that are interested in trying ranked choice voting so that it's not unduly expensive for local governments, and so that auditors can learn more about how to manage and implement it.

Anderson offers voters an experienced option if they are looking for an independent to administer our state's elections.

Rep. Marcus Riccelli is running for re-election to Position 1 in the 3rd Legislative District. Prior to joining the House in 2013, Riccelli worked as a senior policy aide to Washington State Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown. Outside of the Legislature, he also works as the project manager for the Community Health Association of Spokane and as an advisory board member for the Northside YMCA.

In Olympia, Riccelli has sponsored key progressive legislation such as bills this session to ensure that all Washingtonians pay their share of taxes and to create more affordable housing options. Recently, he worked to pass the historic Move Ahead Washington transportation package that will benefit transit infrastructure, working families, and the environment.

Early in the pandemic, Riccelli spearheaded the efforts of the Spokane Food Fighters in donating hundreds of meals to those in need. In the Legislature, Riccelli also sponsored the Hunger-Free Schools Act, which provides a bridge of federal funding for free breakfast to schools where nearly half of students' families are using public assistance.

Challenging Riccelli is Republican Scotty Nicol, a musician and former assistant to Spokane mayor Nadine Woodward. Nicol is running on a vague, bullet point agenda that includes standard conservative talking points from the Legislature. His promise to create a pro-business environment echoes current Republican legislators' efforts to remove environmental regulations and refuse workers a fair return on their work. Similarly, his blanket promise of lowering taxes doesn't address the state's regressive tax code - specifically, that the wealthy have evaded paying their share into quality schools, roads, healthcare, and other resources we all use.

At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, we can't afford another Republican candidate who caters to businesses and refuses to address the needs of working people. Rep. Riccelli has worked hard during his time in the Legislature to advocate for community-centered legislation and progressive values. Riccelli has earned your vote for state House.

Incumbent Democrat Rep. Timm Ormsby is running for re-election to Position 2 in Legislative District 3. He was first elected to the seat in 2003 and has worked on a wide range of progressive issues during his tenure in office. Outside of the Legislature, Ormsby is the president of the Spokane Regional Labor Council and has worked for a number of labor organizations previously.

In the House, Ormsby's policy goals include taking action on climate change that supports job growth and sustainable community development. Recently, he supported legislation to keep our communities safe from high-capacity firearms, as well as a bill to ensure cities and counties include affordable housing in their growth plans.

Ormsby is running against Republican Natalie Poulson, a special education teacher who was one of a handful of Finch Elementary School teachers and administrators who refused to wear masks in class last year. Poulson is a MAGA Republican who would promote misinformation in our schools, support militarized police forces in our communities, and offer tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy while working families continue to struggle to pay rent, afford medicine, and put food on the table.

Also in this race is Patrick Spurlock, a first-time candidate running with no party preference. Spurlock does not have a campaign platform as of mid-June but claims to value unity above greed and tyranny.

Rep. Ormsby has been a strong progressive leader and he deserves your vote for re-election to Legislative District 3, House Position 2.

Union leader and Democrat Ted Cummings is running for the 4th Legislative District, Position 1. In 2018, Cummings challenged far-right extremist Matt Shea for a seat in the state House. He works as the financial secretary for the Union Steel Workers Local 338 and serves as the vice president of the Washington State Labor Council as well as a board member for his regional labor council.

If elected, Cummings wants to use his professional background as a factory laborer to advocate for workers’ rights and prioritize people over corporations. He wants to address mass incarceration at its root by investing in community needs like health care, housing, quality education, and living-wage jobs so that all Washingtonians have the resources to thrive.

Cummings is running against Republicans Suzanne Schmidt and MJ Bolt. Schmidt is the President of the Associated Builders and Contractors Inland Pacific Chapter and a board member of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. While working families in Washington are struggling to afford the basics, Schmidt is running on a very conservative platform that ignores what our communities really need. Instead of supporting policies to ensure everyone has fair wages, great schools, and affordable healthcare, she supports sending ever more militarized police into our neighborhoods and rigging the rules so corporations don’t have to pitch in what they owe.

Bolt is a Republican member of the Washington State Board of Education. Previously, she served as the president of the Central Valley School Board and on a handful of education-focused legislative committees. Bolt has attacked our freedom to decide whether and when we grow our families by trying to ban safe, legal abortion in Washington and beyond. In addition, she would discriminate against teachers based on who they love.

We recommend Ted Cummings for House Position 1 in the 4th Legislative District because of his commitment to bringing our communities together and providing all Washingtonians with the opportunities to thrive.

Chris Jordan, a managing attorney in the Spokane division of the state attorney general’s office, is running for Spokane County Commission in District 1. Jordan specializes in child safety cases as an attorney and worked with Columbia Legal Services to pass bipartisan legislation to support children and families experiencing housing insecurity. His other community leadership experience includes volunteering with Spokane River Cleanup and West Central Dinner Table.

Jordan is running on a platform to invest in child care, strengthen the county’s middle class, alleviate traffic congestion in the region, and take action on the climate crisis to safeguard the local environment for generations to come. By expanding access to the basics like rent, groceries, gas, and prescription medications, he will work to make the county a place where everyone can build a healthy life. 

Republican Kim Plese is the other candidate in this race. Plese previously owned a small business that offered printing and marketing services. She is running for commissioner on a typical conservative platform that disregards much-needed community investments in health care, housing, and schools in favor of putting more funding towards larger, militarized police forces.

Chris Jordan is the clear choice in this race and deserves your vote for Spokane County Commissioner, District 1.

Amber Waldref is running for Spokane County commissioner in District 2 to make the county a place where everyone can thrive. She served on the Spokane City Council for two terms and founded Priority Spokane, a data-driven organization that aims to increase local high school graduation rates and decrease family homelessness. She also currently serves on the Spokane Housing Authority board and the Spokane County Human Rights Task Force.

While on the city council, Waldref was a leader on several important issues, including boosts for small businesses, working to clean up the Spokane River, and the ballot campaign to create the new all-electric rapid transit City Line. The former councilwoman now wants to bring that energy to the county level to protect the environment, empower youth, collaborate regionally on homelessness, and more.

She differs from her conservative opponents in her proactive approach to safety, stating that a new jail is both incredibly expensive to the community and doesn't necessarily reduce crime in any way. Waldref would prefer to see innovative community programming to reduce crime and invest in kids and adults. She points to programs like the Carl Maxey Center and the Spokane Regional Stabilization Center as two ways to address racial disparities in the justice system and keep our communities safe.

Waldref is experienced and ready for the challenge. Vote Waldref for Spokane County Commission, District 2.

Vicky Dalton is seeking re-election to remain the Spokane County auditor, a role she has served in for more than 20 years. She oversees election integrity and voter protection, recording and vehicle licensing processing, and county financial services.

Since assuming the position in 1999, Dalton has proven her commitment to transparency, integrity, accountability, and efficiency in office. She has exceptional credentials, leading the state on a number of auditing commissions and committees. She also serves the community as a member of the Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners board.

Dalton faces a challenge from MAGA Republican Bob McCaslin. He is a conservative state Representative for Legislative District 4 who is retiring from the Legislature this year to run for the auditor seat. McCaslin’s campaign platform is full of Republican rhetoric and shares his intention to cut community investments if elected. In 2020, McCaslin joined Trump-aligned extremists casting doubt over the election results. He supported a petition to audit the results in Spokane County, which demonstrated a lack of understanding of the roles and responsibilities of an auditor.

In a time of rampant right-wing lies about election fraud, we need consistent, proven leaders like Vicky Dalton to protect our elections and uphold voter rights. She has earned your trust and your vote for Spokane County auditor.

Pastor and former deputy prosecuting attorney in Clallam County Deb Conklin is running for Spokane County prosecutor. Conklin also formerly chaired the Spokane office of the Police Ombudsman Commission. Running with the “Non-Partisan Party,” Conklin is the only non-Republican to vie for the prosecutor seat in this race.

If elected, one of Conklin’s priorities will be to make sure that the prosecuting attorney's office is not overcharging people in our community. She correctly points out that this leads to further crowding in jails and prisons, costs more, and makes our system less just. She wants to restore integrity and transparency to the office after some controversies in its recent history, including questions about current prosecutor Larry Haskell’s potential racial bias.

In this race with no progressive options, we recommend Deb Conklin for Spokane County prosecuting attorney because of her support from our partner organizations and her focus on preventative solutions to community safety.