Spokane County

Rebecca Long is running for Position 2 on the Cheney City Council. Long is a software engineering manager working on corporate decarbonization to create a more sustainable economy. She is exceptionally involved in the tech community, including serving as a computer science career mentor for Eastern Washington University students, the founder of the Spokane Geek Girls community, and the president and founder of Future Ada, a nonprofit focused on diversity and inclusion in STEAM. Outside of tech, Long is a coordinator and founding member of Cheney Cohousing and a board member for the Spokane National Organization for Women.

Long is running on a very progressive platform to build a thriving, sustainable Cheney, where housing options are accessible to working people, businesses can grow, and small town qualities can be embraced. If elected, she wants to revitalize the downtown area, modernize infrastructure and zoning, invest in more housing options, and strengthen the relationship between Eastern Washington University and the city. She wants to leverage her knowledge of technology and her experience in connecting the community together to bring innovative, responsive leadership to the council. 

Long is challenging incumbent Vincent Barthels, who was appointed in 2019 and retained in 2020. Outside of elected office, Barthels works for a private civil engineering firm and has spent his career in environmental consulting. While he has been a strong advocate for a sustainable future in Cheney, his platform is not nearly as progressive as Long’s.

Cheney deserves bold action to achieve a better future for all residents. We recommend Rebecca Long for Cheney City Council, Position 2.
 

Adjunct professor Jacquelyn Belock is running for Cheney City Council, Position 6 on a progressive platform that seeks to improve life for all in the city. As a mom who serves as vice-chair of the Cheney Planning Commission, Belock has unique insight into how to engage the community with local government.

Belock's work on the planning commission has aimed to make sensible zoning reform that allows for more than just expensive single-family homes. Securing more types of housing, more affordable housing, and pushing back against big developers has been a huge part of her work in the community, including speaking up for residents of the threatened trailer park. 

If elected, Belock wants to lead the city in making improvements for people walking and rolling in our neighborhoods. She knows the community needs to update water infrastructure due to aging and outdated reservoirs. She's also excited to expand recreational spaces so that everyone can access spaces to thrive and play.

Her opponent, Ag Enterprise Supply worker Pete Montague, states that he's not running with a specific agenda and just wants to give back to the community. In comparison to Belock's strong pro-worker stance, Montague says that he is not pro- or anti-union, and believes that fighting or striking for better rights is sometimes "selfish." He lists no elected or community leadership experience in his official voter pamphlet statement and has no website or social media to take a closer look at his agenda as of mid-October.

Belock is engaged and excited to work for the community with her progressive platform. She is by far the best choice for Cheney City Council, Position 6.
 

Linda Ball is running for Liberty Lake City Council, Position 1, against Phil Foyler. We are confident Linda Ball is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.

Dan Dunne is running against Larry Marshall for Liberty Lake City Council, Position 3. We are confident Dan Dunne is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.

Travis Scott is running against Jed Spencer for Liberty Lake City Council, Position 4. We are confident Travis Scott is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.

Annie Kurtz is running against Mike Behary for Liberty Lake City Council, Position 5. We are confident Annie Kurtz is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.

Mark Hamblet is running for Liberty Lake City Council, Position 6 against Mike Kennedy. We are confident Michael Hamblet is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.

Teresa Tapao-Hunt is running for Liberty Lake City Council, Position 7 against Wendy Van Orman. We are confident Tapao-Hunt is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
 

Lisa Brown is a former state representative, senate majority leader, and chancellor of Washington State University Spokane. She has also served as the Washington State Director of Commerce. Brown has spent many years advocating for and volunteering in Spokane, including organizing the first Take Back the Night rally to bring awareness to victims of domestic violence.

She wants to use her experience to see the city invest in improving the quality of life for all residents. According to Brown, one of the most pressing issues is balancing the city's budget crisis while making sure that residents have the opportunity to safely live, work, and play in Spokane.

A keystone of her campaign is increasing affordable housing to help the many residents who are struggling to find shelter or stay in their homes with housing cost increases. Some of the strategies she wants to implement include making sure that the city has fully applied for available affordable housing funds from the federal and state government, and expanding "missing middle housing," or the mid-cost housing that many professionals like teachers or firefighters need to stay in the community. Brown wants to improve community safety by investing in proven strategies like expanding mental health services, offering job apprenticeships, and building more affordable housing.

Brown is running against incumbent and former news anchor Nadine Woodward, whose conservative platform includes prioritizing her big-dollar donors and trying to make us fear those turning to cars and tents for shelter while she makes it impossible for many of us to afford any place to live.

Like many conservative incumbents running this year, Woodward has taken the stance that public safety has declined under her watch. But in this year’s budget, police have again received the most funding, with 32 percent going to police, compared to 4 percent for libraries or just 2 percent going to housing and human services. At the same time, Woodward has refused to authorize an investigation into Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl's relationship with wealthy downtown business owners with whom he shared non-public information to attack his political opponents, potentially a violation of state and local law. 

On top of this, Woodard faced calls for her resignation and widespread condemnation for her decision this August to join far-right former state representative Matt Shea at an event. A state House investigation deemed Shea a domestic terrorist for provoking a civil war, intimidating political opponents, and writing violent religious manifestos. Despite this clear record, Woodard accepted his blessing and endorsement as she stood with him onstage at the event.

Spokane has had conservative mayors for the last twelve years and Brown offers the chance to transform city and local government in Spokane. Vote for Lisa Brown for a more compassionate and affordable Spokane. 

Spokane City Councilmember Betsy Wilkerson is running for council president to unite the city in a vision of collaboration and equity. She was appointed to the city council to replace Breean Beggs when he became council president in 2020. Only the second Black woman to ever serve on the council, if Wilkerson is elected this year she would become the first-ever Black president of the Spokane City Council. 

Wilkerson is no stranger to serving the community. She is the former president of the Women Helping Women Fund and the Junior League of Spokane. Currently, Wilkerson is the board president for the Carl Maxey Center and runs Moore's Boarding Home Assisted Living.

In our local questionnaire and interview with Wilkerson, the councilmember said she was most excited to make it easier and more affordable to build homes. That means fast-tracking permits, encouraging remodels instead of tear-downs to lower pollution, and making zoning reforms. She spoke about how homeownership builds wealth, and amid the housing crisis wants to encourage homeownership for families of color with more accessible down payment assistance and educational programs to address racial disparities.

Her positions in support of keeping everyone in our community safe, boosting resources for alleviating homelessness, and providing a safety net demonstrate she is a candidate who will ensure that we all thrive. Wilkerson's many progressive endorsements demonstrate her solid record in the community and on the council as a capable and collaborative leader. 

Her opponent is Republican Kim Plese, who ran for Spokane County Commissioner in 2022 and lost to Democrat Chris Jordan. This year, the former printing company owner is running for this nonpartisan position on a familiar platform. Plese was motivated to run in part because she's disappointed that the current council has supported statewide police accountability measures. Plese also states that she will work with regional partners to build more housing - an effort already underway through the regional homelessness coalition.

In contrast to her opponent, Wilkerson defends the importance of having independent police oversight. She agrees with community members who have asked for this authority because the Spokane Police Department is allegedly the third deadliest police force in the country per population. Wilkerson wants to pair mental health responders with law enforcement in applicable calls and make sure that all in the city are treated fairly when dealing with police.

Betsy Wilkerson is the clear choice for Spokane City Council President.
 

Lindsey Shaw is running for Spokane City Council in District 1 to advocate for the residents of Northeast Spokane. Shaw served as chair of the Logan Neighborhood Council for five years and sees a chance in her candidacy to bring light to issues in District 1, like the North-South Freeway and the Children of the Sun Trail development, as well as making Spokane a better place to live for all across the city.

Shaw wants to usher in a citywide affordable childcare program to help families in the years of early childhood and boost the local economy. She states that low-barrier youth programs, young adult skill development, and other interventions are crucial for communities to thrive. On public safety, Shaw wants to see the city clean up neighborhoods, invest in substance abuse treatment and behavioral health programs, provide more affordable housing options so that no one is forced to live on the street, and make upstream investments before anyone is put into the criminal legal system.

Shaw is running against incumbent Michael Cathcart, who has served on the Spokane City Council since 2020. Previously, he was an aide for the far-right state Sen. Michael Baumgartner, who voters may remember for his anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion stances. As former executive director of the pro-business Better Spokane, Cathcart's campaign coffers and agenda are flooded with big developer money. He takes a conservative and hypocritical stance on issues like the possibility of a new jail, stating that "jail is going to make you a better criminal," but also advocating for building an expensive new one.

In the years since he lost his run for Spokane County Council, Cathcart has voted against a local Pride crosswalk and opposed a resolution that would prevent any Spokane city employee, including law enforcement, from aiding prosecution and investigations against abortion care providers or patients. Cathcart will continue to be an obstacle to progress on the council if re-elected.

Shaw's much stronger agenda and care for all residents of Spokane shows her commitment to the city, and she is the best choice for Spokane City Council, District 1. 

Paul Dillon is running for Spokane City Council, District 2 as an experienced and fearless advocate of opportunity for all in the city. 

There's no doubt about the breadth and depth of Dillon's experience working and volunteering for the residents of Spokane. He currently works as the vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho. Dillon is also the former Eastern Washington director for the YMCA Youth and Government Program and has served as a board member for the Center For Justice, Washington Bikes, and Pedals2People.

If elected, Dillon wants to raise the minimum wage to boost the local economy and support struggling families. As someone who once ran an environmental advocacy news site published by The Spokesman-Review, Dillon wants to revisit local laws on oil and train derailments to protect the environment. Also high on his priorities is to build new affordable housing units to alleviate rising housing costs for everyone in the community and fund transitional shelters and behavioral health rather than criminalizing homelessness. 

Dillon's community safety stance is more detailed and more progressive than his opponent's. He notes that due to racist incarceration policies, we have a system where African Americans, who are two percent of the population in Spokane, make up 14 percent of the jail population. He would invest in alternatives to incarceration, and use public health and behavioral health interventions instead of police where applicable, like sending unarmed officers or mental health responders. By fully funding the Office of Civil Rights and Equity, working to uplift working families, and promoting community safety, Dillon demonstrates his desire to lead from progressive values. 

His opponent is Katey Randall Treloar, who previously ran for Spokane School District Director in 2019. She is the founder of the program Bite To Go, which supplemented meals for hungry students. This year, she states that she will work on affordable housing, mental health, and addiction resources, but has yet to offer any details on her website about how she would tackle those issues if elected to city hall. 

In her previous run for school board, Treloar wanted to see armed officers put in schools and protested against COVID-19 safety protocols. She also opposed a supplemental school levy that aimed to provide resources for the district's children if the legislature didn't provide enough funding for schools. Treloar's previous campaign positions and lack of detail in her current campaign don't point to a progressive candidacy. 

Dillon's broad endorsements from labor, environmental organizations, and Democratic elected officials speak to the power of his campaign to make the city a better place to live for all. Vote Paul Dillon for Spokane City Council from District 2.
 

Former U.S. Army reserve medic Kitty Klitzke is running to bring her transportation expertise to the Spokane City Council. As the former chair of Spokane's Community Assembly Pedestrian, Transportation, and Traffic Committee and president of the Spokane Regional Food Policy Council, Klitzke has been deeply involved in the community. She also led Complete Streets Spokane, which successfully advocated for bike and pedestrian infrastructure requirements when planning and building streets.

In our local interview, Klitzke had thoughtful progressive answers to many of the issues facing Spokane. She agreed that the police ombudsman should be granted the power to independently investigate community complaints, which voters overwhelmingly approved. She also believes that Spokane needs to stop incentivizing housing that is unaffordable and start incentivizing the development of vacant lots, buildings, and parking lots. On homelessness, she supports a housing-first approach that helps people find shelter and secure homes as well as needed services.

Running against Klitzke is former respiratory therapist Earl Moore, who states that she's running a nonpartisan campaign though she was awarded the 2022 Republican Hero award by the county Republican party. Moore joined a rally this May to defend Spokane Police Chief Meidl from an investigation about potentially inappropriate relationships with wealthy downtown business owners, including sharing non-public information and using the police budget to attack his political opponents. Moore was also one of a number of candidates who joined far-right former state representative Matt Shea at an event this August to receive his endorsement and blessing.  As of mid-October, Moore's campaign remains thin on details about what she would prioritize if elected. Aside from her dedication to always supporting police, Moore promises a regional approach to the housing crisis but includes nothing about how she would implement policies in the city to achieve more stable or affordable housing. 

Klitzke is an accomplished transportation advocate who is excited to take on the city's needs for long-term planning and vision. Kitty Klitzke is the clear choice for Spokane City Council in District 3.  

Moderate Al Merkel is running for Spokane Valley City Council, Position 3. He previously worked as a contractor for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in Veteran's Affairs, and now owns a business. 

Merkel has a very long and detailed list of propositions available on his website, including thoughts on economic development, homelessness, and more. Some notable policies include creating a cultural center or artisanal district in Spokane Valley, seeking reliable modeling and a regional approach for homelessness, and improving the sheriff's contract with a performance incentive. 

He is running against Arne Woodard, who has been a conservative vote on the council for over a decade. First elected in 2011, Woodard often critiques progress in all forms. He asked if the city could limit protests at city hall after progressive constituents organized rallies at the location. He has also denounced anti-racism efforts in the city, stating that racism isn't a problem, and has made comments about light-skinned people of color.

Woodard endorsed former Rep. Matt Shea, who was under investigation by the state House of Representatives for training young men in "biblical warfare" and laying out plans for a theocratic takeover of the state. Woodward's conservative ideology and refusal to compromise has even led some council members to resign in recent years. 

While Merkel isn't progressive and is endorsed by Republican groups, voters will find in him a more moderate choice for council. Vote Merkel for Spokane City Council, Position 3.
 

Incumbent and retired teacher Tim Hattenburg is running for re-election to the Spokane Valley City Council, Position 6. Prior to his election in 2019, Hattenburg served on the Spokane County Library District Board for a decade. 

Hattenburg ran last time on a platform of dealing with rapid growth, increasing transparency on the council, and improving public safety. During his first term, he secured a seat on the Spokane Transit Authority board, where he advocated for new electric buses and new routes. The council has also doubled the city's park space and hired a full-time housing and homeless director. Hattenburg has earned broad endorsements from the county and district Democrats, as well as several labor unions. 

Challenging Hattenburg is former state representative Rob Chase. Chase is an outspoken COVID-19 conspiracy theorist, QAnon advocate, and secessionist. He had a 93 percent rating from a conservative organization for his votes while representing the 4th Legislative District. He also supports the continued lie that Trump won the 2020 election. 

Spokane Valley doesn't need a person with a dangerous disregard for the truth and community well-being in office. Hattenburg is the clear choice in this race.
 

Cindy McMullen is running for Central Valley School Board Director from District 1 against Jeff Brooks. McMullen is a retired lawyer and served on the Central Valley School Board for many years. She also volunteers with the local Girl Scouts and is a member of the Rotary. 

McMullen is running to ensure every student gains the knowledge and skills they need for their chosen path after graduation. She is proud of her record of helping hire a new superintendent, implementing the "I, You, We Belong" initiative, and expanding coursework options for students. 

Jeff Brooks is another member of the far-right slate trying to take over the Central Valley School Board. He was quoted in the Spokesman-Review in September saying "we're all trying to basically overturn the board, because if we don't, it'll be civil war." These kinds of threats of violence have no place in our schools and his narrow, ideologically driven campaign will hurt our students.

Cindy McMullen is the clear choice for Central Valley School Board from District 1 based on her endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. 
 

Debra Long is running for Central Valley School Board Director from District 3 against Stephanie Jerdon. Long has served on the board since 2003 and works as an accounting manager for Rockwood Retirement Communities. She is also active in the community, including organizing the Central Valley Craft Fair, and is a member of the Central Valley Theatre.

Long is running for re-election to continue building partnerships between parents, teachers, and administrators. She will also work to ensure that all students have the tools and opportunities they need to be successful after graduation.

Long faces a challenge from Stephanie Jerdan, who is part of the slate of far-right candidates seeking to take over the school board. She has fought against public health recommendations as well as science-based comprehensive sexual education. If elected, she would politicize the school board by further inserting the district into legislative advocacy in Olympia.

Debra Long is the clear choice for Central Valley School Board from District 2 based on her track record and endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders.

Dr. Keith Clark is running for Central Valley School Board Director from District 4. He has owned the Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center for 28 years. Clark has served four terms on the school board and his children have attended schools in the Central Valley School District for 26 years. He's running for re-election to keep our kids safe, maintain a quality curriculum, and make sure every student feels like they belong at school. 

Clark faces a challenge from Anniece Barker, a far-right conservative. Barker is part of a slate of candidates trying to take over the Central Balley School Board to impose their political ideology on our schools. She was part of a far-right group that tried to overturn comprehensive sexual education rules and has engaged in various conspiracy theories.

Keith Clark is the clear choice for Central Valley School Board from District 3 based on his solid track record and endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. 
 

Jaime Stacy is running for the Mead School Board open seat in District 3, where incumbent Bob Olson, who was first elected in 1985, is retiring. She is a community specialist for Spokane Public Schools and co-founder of the mentorship nonprofit Strong Women Achieving Greatness. She also served as president of the Shiloh Hills Parent Teacher Student Organization from 2017 to 2019.

Stacy believes in representation for all students in the district. Unlike her opponent, she enthusiastically supports the new levy for Mead schools, which will help the district pay for extracurriculars, athletics, nurses, smaller classes, and more. Stacy wants to ensure that all kids thrive and believes anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies would help the student mental health crisis that schools face nationwide. She believes diversity is the key to helping kids think critically and feel welcome in our schools.

Voters will find a stark contrast between Stacy's inclusive principles and those of her opponent, conservative x-ray technician Jennifer Killman. She has no education advocacy experience and is endorsed by far-right Republicans such as Sen. Mike Padden. In an interview with the Spokesman, Killman said she believes diversity and equity in education lowers kids' test scores. Rather than encouraging kids to learn about emotional and social health or accurate lessons on history, she believes that students need to learn about patriotism. Killman also believes that the board should create a policy against critical race theory, which even she admits Mead schools are not even teaching. 

Jaime Stacy would make a far better representative for the kids and families of District 3. She deserves your vote for Mead School Board from District 3. 
 

Mike Wiser is a healthcare consultant and the current president of Spokane Public Schools' Board of Directors, where he has served since 2017. Wiser was born in Spokane, where he worked as a chief strategy officer at CHAS Heath, a nonprofit community health center. Wiser also spent some time as a stay-at-home father to his two kids, during which he founded Spokane Dads, a social group for kids and dads.

Wiser is running for re-election to Position 5 to keep class sizes small, recover from the pandemic in a responsible way, and reform unjust discipline practices. Before Wiser's time as a director, Spokane Public Schools had the highest numbers in the state for students being restrained or isolated in padded rooms. The district has now banned these outdated practices that harmed students, particularly students of color and students with disabilities.

Wiser also approved redrawing school zone boundaries and adding new schools to keep class sizes small enough for all students to get support from their teachers. Because of the concerns over the socioeconomic divisions between schools, Wiser also held back his full support for the new plans until he ensured that there were options such as magnet schools to serve disadvantaged kids.

Wiser faces a challenge from Ericka Lalka, a real estate investor and committeewoman for the Republican party. If elected, she would reduce the funding that our schools need to help teachers and kids thrive, as evidenced by her fearmongering that our school budgets are "spiraling out of control". Lalka also would support armed security in schools, though we know allowing people with guns to police our schools will only make them worse places for learning. Lalka additionally would deprive kids of basic sex education, making STIs and unplanned pregnancies more likely. Wiser, in contrast, wants to keep campus officers unarmed to keep our kids safe, and supports the current comprehensive sex education that will keep kids healthy.

Wiser is fighting to make Spokane's public schools amazing places for every kid to learn, regardless of their race, income, or disability needs. Because of his seven years of dedication to our teachers and students, Mike Wiser has earned your vote for Position 5.