Dave Stevens, a Republican who lost his bid this summer for Spokane County prosecutor to incumbent Republican Steve Tucker and Democrat Frank Malone, said Wednesday that he cast his vote for Malone in the November election.

The vote is a reversal from where Stevens stood after the primary, when he said he supported Tucker because he was concerned that Malone didn't have the necessary experience for the job. Stevens, who worked under Tucker until Tucker fired him after he announced his candidacy, said he changed his mind after talking to Malone on the phone.

He said Malone assured him that he wouldn't shake up the staff of deputy prosecuting attorneys.

Stevens is the vice chairman of the Spokane County Republican Party. Asked about his party leadership spot, Stevens said he did not consider his openness about how he voted as an endorsement.

"I get to vote for anyone I want, just like anybody else," he said.