Tuesday’s election brought success for republicans in the US, Washington state, and in Spokane County. While voters nationwide watched republicans clench enough senate seats to control that chamber, voters in Washington saw the state senate turn to republican control. A few house seats are newly republican as well.
Spokane County saw no real upsets, and true to this election’s trend republicans won in open seats. That includes Spokane county prosecutor, where Republican Larry Haskell beat democrat BreeanBeggs by 17 points. Beggs, a first time politician, was optimistic at the democrat’s election party.
Beggs: “It doesn’t matter what party you are, most people are for smart justice, and that’s why we got in this campaign. Smart justice is winning, the city and county has adopted it, my opponent has adopted it, the sheriff has adopted it.”
In the sheriff’s race Ozzie Knezovich easily held on to his role over challenger Doug Orr.
The county race for commissioner went to incumbent Al French, beating newcomer Mary Lou Johnson 53-to-46. French says he is working to bring 12 new businesses to Spokane County.
French: “And now it gives me the opportunity to try and close those deals, and bring those jobs to this community. We’ll continue to work to make sure we protect Fairchild Air Force Base and we’ve got a lot of good things happening to protect quality of life.”
But voters seemed to ignore party politics on ballot measures statewide. Voters approved new background check requirements on all firearm sales and transfers, but narrowly defeated a measure to require smaller class sizes. Voters in Spokane approved the extension of two city taxes, one for a parks bond and one for street repairs.
Copyright 2014 Spokane Public Radio
