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Inland Northwest cities return some candidates to office, elect newcomers

Courtesy of Jim Hammond campaign

Voters in cities around Spokane have re-elected several mayors and city council members. But there are places where new elected officials will play prominent roles.

Here’s a rundown.In Spokane Valley, Ben Wick is on his way to another term, probably with fellow councilmember Pam Haley. Two other incumbents are behind in close races, Linda Thompson trailing Laura Padden, Rod Higgins behind James Johnson.

In neighboring Liberty Lake, voters chose current Mayor Cris Kaminskas over former Mayor Steve Peterson. They also chose three new council members, Holly Woodruff, Jamie Freeze Baird and Chris Cargill.

Across the border, Coeur d’Alene voters have chosen a new mayor. Former city administrator Jim Hammond is winning a three-way race. Incumbents Woody McEvers, Amy Evans and Kiki Miller are all ahead in their council races, though Miller’s lead is tenuous.

In Post Falls, Mayor Ron Jacobson will win re-election. Josh Walker, Nathan Ziegler and Kenny Shove all have comfortable leads for city council seats.

On the West Plains, Terri Cooper will become Medical Lake’s new mayor. Three incumbent council members, Don Kennedy, Chad Pritchard and Tony Harbolt, will likely be re-elected. Two others, Elizabeth Rosenbeck and A.J. Burton, are going down to defeat.

In Cheney, Mayor Chris Grover has won another term. Councilmembers Paul Schmidt and Teresa Overhauser will win new terms. Jacquelyn Behock and Mark Posthuma are one vote apart in their run for another seat.

In Airway Heights, Mayor Sonny Weathers will serve another term on the city council, though not necessarilyt as mayor. Three newcomers, Arthur Bubb, David Mamet and Davin Perry, were unopposed.

In Deer Park, voters will return Mayor Tim Verzal and say goodbye to Richard Schut. Jason Upchurch leads for another council seat.

In other races,  Tom Carver will continue on as mayor of St. Maries, as will Lynn Mogensen in Wallace. Cities that will have new faces as mayor include Chewelah, where Gregory McCunn will be the new mayor, Kettle Falls, where Jesse Garrett will take over the top office, and Moscow, with Art Bettge becoming mayor. In Kettle Falls, Kevin Wylie has a very slim lead for mayor.