Spokane

Spokane General Election 2023

This guide wont tell you who to vote for, but should help you make the choice for yourself. 

We’re a nonprofit so we don’t make political endorsements of any kind. What we do is publicly driven journalism. If you’re still unsure — or want to dig deeper — we’ve got in-depth stories on many of these candidates and races.

Mayoral candidates Brown, Woodward imagine different Spokanes

Spokane council president and mayoral debates

Spokane aims to reduce homelessness by 40% with regional authority

What's at stake?

It might be an "off year" for elections, but many WA voters will decide their local leadership this November. Let us know if there are municipalities you’d like us to cover.

What district do you live in?

Mayor of Spokane

Lisa Brown

Lisa Brown

Lisa Brown represented the Third Legislative District as a state representative from 1993-1997 and as a state senator from 1997-2012. In 2005, Brown became Senate Majority Leader, becoming the first democratic woman in state history in that position. She has also served as the chancellor of WSU Spokane and as director of the Washington State Department of Commerce, in addition to a wide array of community service work. Brown has challenged many aspects of the Woodward administration, and says there is too much turnover and conflict in City Hall. If elected, she promises to address public safety, expand community behavioral health facilities, secure funding for homelessness response and affordable housing, address youth gang violence, and more. Brown has raised over $442,780 and has spent more than $253,200. The political action committee Fuse Votes also spent $268 in support of Brown. Political action committee Spokane Good Government Alliance has spent $175,100 against Brown. Brown has received endorsements from dozens of political organizations and individuals.

Nadine Woodward

Nadine Woodward

Incumbent Nadine Woodward was elected to the mayoral office in 2019. During her 2019 campaign, she described herself as right-of-center. Before pursuing office, she worked as a Spokane news anchor for 28 years. During her first term, Woodward worked with City Council members to outlaw drug use in public spaces and change zoning ordinances to create more affordable housing. Working with the Spokane Police Department, she also helped create the Violent Crime Task Force and a hire-ahead program to minimize understaffing. She has stated she hopes to continue prioritizing law enforcement and public safety if re-elected. Woodward has raised more than $491,700 in campaign contributions and has spent at least $327,900, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. The political action committees Spokane Good Government Alliance and National Association of Realtors Fund also have spent $275,200 in support of Woodward.

Spokane City Council President

Kim Plese

Kim Plese

Third-generation Spokane resident Kim Plese was the owner and president of Plese Printing and Marketing for 32 years. Plese, who holds a B.A. in social work from Washington State University, said she believes City Council members must work to serve the people, not personal agendas. She is worried about rising crime rates, homelessness and the well-being of small businesses in Spokane, and hopes to tackle these issues as City Council President. Plese is endorsed by Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels, and former Spokane Mayor David Condon. She has raised over $244,700 and spent more than $103,200 for her campaign.  The political action committees National Association of Realtors Fund and the Spokane Good Government Alliance also have spent $157,200 in support of Plese.

Betsy Wilkerson

Betsy Wilkerson

Betsy Wilkerson, who has served on the Spokane City Council since 2020, is endorsed for Council President by current President Breean Beggs. On the Council, Wilkerson has championed small businesses, helped secure funding for attainable housing and boosted resources for homelessness services. In addition to Council work, she owns a small business dedicated to housing and serving disabled populations and is involved in multiple community service organizations. If elected, she aims to strengthen community safety, tackle the issue of housing and homelessness, and prioritize small businesses. Wilkerson has raised over $191,853 and has spent more than $68,100 for her campaign, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. The political action committee Fuse Votes also spent $268 in support of Wilkerson. Political action committee Spokane Good Government Alliance has spent $118,500 against Wilkerson. 

Spokane City Council District 1

District 1 includes parts of northeast Spokane.

Michael Cathcart

Michael Cathcart

Michael Cathcart was elected to the Spokane City Council in 2019. He is the executive director of Better Spokane, a business advocacy group. Cathcart also formerly worked for State Sen. Michael Baumgartner’s office and for the Spokane Home Builders Association, and ran as a Republican for county commissioner in 2022. According to his campaign website, his priorities for Spokane City Council include reducing crime rates, expanding government access, job development, improving housing affordability while “fighting back against the bad ideas making the problem worse.” Cathcart has raised at least $67,500 and has spent more than $67,600 for his campaign. The political action committee Spokane Good Government Alliance has spent $17,300 in support of Cathcart.

Lindsey Shaw

Lindsey Shaw

Challenger Lindsey Shaw has been on the Logan Neighborhood Council for nearly five years. According to Shaw’s website, her priorities include working with partners to create a citywide affordable child care program; boosting public safety by investing in substance-abuse treatment and behavioral health programs and in youth programs and skill-development programs; and building more affordable housing and low-barrier supportive housing. Shaw has raised at least $48,400 and spent more than $18,511 for her campaign.

Spokane City Council District 2

District 2 includes parts of south and southwest Spokane.

Paul Dillon

Paul Dillon

Paul Dillon has been a District 2 resident for over two decades. Dillon, who has worked for Planned Parenthood since 2015, is currently the vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho. He has worked on a wide array of policies and initiatives, from protecting reproductive healthcare to raising the minimum wage in Washington. If elected, he wants to invest in public safety, support working families and small businesses, protect the local environment, improve transportation and address homelessness. Dillon is endorsed by many elected officials, organizations and community leaders, and has raised over $64,800 and spent more than $45,000 for his campaign.

Katey Treloar

Katey Treloar

Katey Treloar is a former Spokane district classroom teacher and the founder of Executive Function Coaching, a company that helps people understand and overcome ADHD and other neurodivergent diagnoses. Treloar holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s in education from Gonzaga University. Treloar also helped found Bite To Go, a nonprofit that provides meals to underserved kids. If elected, she will focus on homelessness, affordable housing and public safety. She has raised over $149,200 and has spent more than $56,300 for her campaign. The political action commitees National Association of Realtors Fund and the Spokane Good Government Alliance has spent $62,000 in support of Treloar.

Spokane City Council District 3

District 3 includes parts of northwest Spokane.

Kitty Klitzke

Kitty Klitzke

Environmental advocate and former Army Reserve medic Kitty Klitzke has served in multiple elected offices, including president of the Spokane Regional Food Policy Council and chair of the Spokane Regional Transportation Council Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). Klitzke helped with cleanup of the Spokane River and was the Eastern Washington program director for Futurewise, a nonprofit devoted to protecting farmland and natural resources. Klitzke, who grew up in Spokane, is committed to building strong neighborhoods that are safe, walkable, well-planned, affordable and responsible. She has raised over $67,700 and has spent more than $23,400 for her campaign, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. The political action committee Fuse Votes also spent $268 in support of Klitzke.

Earl Moore

Earl Moore

A healthcare professional and 45-year resident of Spokane, Earl Moore served as president of the Respiratory Care Society of Washington and was a delegate for the American Association of Respiratory Care. Moore believes self-centeredness and closed-mindedness in Spokane politics has led the city on a downward path, and aims to take a nonpartisan approach to policy making. Moore wants to prioritize public safety and promote a positive relationship with law enforcement, and address the issues of affordable housing and homelessness. Moore’s campaign has raised over $70,700 and has spent more than $32,200, according to the public disclosure commission. The political action commitees National Association of Realtors Fund and the Spokane Good Government Alliance have spent $66,600 in support of Moore.

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