Political candidates in Washington state are off to the races. It’s candidate filing week, lasting through Friday. In one race, that for Spokane mayor, voters will see three completely different campaigns carried out.
Incumbent Spokane mayor David Condon used Monday of filing week to announce his re-election outside the election’s office, using a familiar Condon administration phrase.
Condon: “Continue to be the city of choice, to continue to work on becoming safer stronger and smarter, and with that we will file for office.”
Community organizer SharLichty has announced she will run against him.
Lichty: “My main thing is I want to build a vibrant, local, sustainable, Spokane community – a local economy.”
Both use similar phrasing for their reason to run:
Condon: “In my candidacy to represent all of the citizens of Spokane…”
Lichty: “The residents in Spokane need a mayor who represents them, the everyday people.”
Otherwise, their campaigns couldn’t be more different. Condon came into politics from politics – he worked for Congressman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Lichty comes in from what she calls the other side of politics – she’s an organizer for the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane. The Public Disclosure Commission reports Condon has nearly $250,000 raised, compared to Lichty’s $2,500. She is so far completely funded by individuals, with $350 dollars as the biggest contribution. Condon has a long list of businesses and corporations behind him, as well as individual donors, raking in more than 60 single donations over $900.
Condon says he wants to continue to work on a city plan called “Vision 2020”, focused on improvements in utility offerings and cost, appropriately staffed police, and upgrades to Riverfront Park. SharLichty says in addition to wanting to build more local business infrastructure, she would work for better police and fire services, including hiring more firefighters, and giving the police ombudsman the autonomy voters asked for in 2013.
A third mayoral candidate, Mike Nober, also announced his campaign this week. [He announced after this story aired, but we spoke with him in another story about his campaign.]
Democratic state Representative Marcus Riccelli was questioned about running by constituents, but has declined this year.
The primary election is August 4th.
Copyright 2015 Spokane Public Radio
