In eastern Washington’s Third, Fourth and Seventh Legislative districts, the incumbents are all running for re-election and there’s a chance the same group of lawmakers who represented those districts in Olympia this year will also serve next year. But in the Sixth, which covers much of Spokane’s South Hill, the West Plains and some out north, at least two dominoes will fall.
Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) is leaving his seat to run for Spokane County treasurer. Rep. Jeff Holy (R-Cheney) is leaving his seat to run for the Senate. Four candidates are vying to replace him. Also, Rep. Mike Volz (R-Spokane) is facing a challenge from Democrat Kay Murano.
Volz is the chief deputy treasurer in Spokane County. He’s looking for his second term in Olympia. Even though he’s a financial professional, he says education is the reason he first ran.
His Democratic opponent is Kay Murano. Murano is the executive director of the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium.