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Editorial: Here’s a recap of our choices for Tuesday’s ballot

Sat., Nov. 1, 2014

Below are summaries of The Spokesman-Review’s endorsements. The full versions can be read online: http://www.spokesman.com/tags/ 2014-endorsement/.

Proposition 1: Vote yes on this 20-year levy to continue the job of repairing the city’s streets. Property tax rates would not rise.

Proposition 2: Vote yes on park bonds to bring new features and shore up infrastructure for Riverfront Park. Taxes would not rise.

Initiative 1351: Turn down this ill-timed, unfunded measure to reduce class sizes that could spur tax increases. I-1351 would cost a projected $4.7 billion by 2019.

Spokane County District Court

Position 2: Chris Bugbee. He rates higher in the Spokane County Bar Poll and enthusiastically embraces the “Blueprint for Reform.”

Position 5: Gregory Tripp. The incumbent judge is the clear choice over Richard Reierson, who declined to meet with the editorial board and did not participate in the bar poll.

Position 7: Randy Brandt. The incumbent judge has greater experience than his opponent.

Position 8: Richard Leland, the incumbent judge, rates well in the bar poll. Veteran defense attorney Tim Trageser chose not to participate in the poll.

Congress, 5th District: Cathy McMorris Rodgers. From her leadership perch, the veteran representative is best-positioned to help the region.

Washington Supreme Court: Incumbent justices Debra Stephens and Charles Johnson are the clear choices.

Initiative 591: Reject this status quo ballot measure that’s designed to shoot down the background checks on gun sales called for in I-594.

Initiative 594: Vote yes to expand background checks on private gun sales.

Spokane County Commission: Incumbent Republican Al French gets the nod over a strong Democratic opponent, Mary Lou Johnson.

Spokane County Assessor: Under incumbent Republican Vicki Horton, the office has rated high on performance measures.

Spokane County Treasurer: Challenger Amy Biviano, a certified public accountant, is more qualified to run the office.

Spokane County Prosecutor: Republican Larry Haskell, a veteran prosecutor, gets the nod over criminal justice reformer Breean Beggs.

Spokane County Auditor: Vicky Dalton, a Democrat, has kept a steady hand through 16 years of electoral turmoil.

Spokane County Sheriff: Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich’s effective, no-nonsense approach to law enforcement has been refreshing.

State Senate

District 6: Republican incumbent Michael Baumgartner is our choice in a contest with two strong candidates.

State House

District 3, Position 1: Marcus Riccelli, a Democrat, is a well-versed, well-connected legislator who has been effective.

District 3, Position 2: Veteran lawmaker Timm Ormsby, a Democrat, is facing token opposition.

District 4, Position 1: Diana Wilhite’s strong business background gives her the nod over a fellow Republican.

District 4, Position 2: Republican Josh Arritola’s mainstream conservatism trumps the extremism of the incumbent.

District 6, Position 1: Incumbent Kevin Parker’s thoughtful approach and love for public service make him the easy choice.

District 6, Position 2: Incumbent Republican Jeff Holy is our choice over a write-in candidate.