Stuckart to seek re-election next year
Spokane City Council Chairman Ben Stuckart is already making plans for next year's election, saying today he will seek another term in his current position.
Stuckart, currently part of a liberal/progressive/Democratic majority on the council, had been rumored as a potential candidate for mayor against incumbent David Condon, who might best be described as a conservative/business/Republican.
Technically, city elective positions are non-partisan. Mayor and council president are the only positions elected city wide. Council members are elected by district.
In a press release this morning, however, Stuckart said he wanted "to remove any doubt to his commitment to lead an agressive legislative agenda as council president."
To read the entire press release, or to comment, go inside the blog.
May 1, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ben Stuckart announced today that he will seek reelection as President of the Spokane City Council. Though the 2015 election is a year and a half away, Stuckart announced his intentions to seek reelection today to remove any doubt to his commitment to lead an aggressive legislative agenda as Council President.
Elected in 2011, Council President Stuckart has pushed the city forward by increasing transparency, pushing neighborhood involvement and establishing a cooperative atmosphere with all members of Council. In 2 years Council President Stuckart has been a sponsor of more than 40 ordinances and resolutions with over 30 being adopted unanimously. Stuckart, speaking about his efforts on Council: “I am most proud of the collaborative work we are doing to build our local economy and invest in our quality of life. We're trying new things. We're implementing new ideas. The city is collaboratively working to make Spokane the best city in America”.
Stuckart is currently leading a targeted investment project utilizing government, non-profit, and private sector resources in the East Sprague area. He has also been a champion of the Spokane Public Library and led the creation of the Spokane Arts Fund when the City Art's Department was eliminated in Mayor Condon's first budget.
The issues Council President Stuckart is currently working on include growing the city's local food economy and ensuring that Spokane is protected from all impacts related to increased oil and coal train traffic.
“I look forward to continuing dialogue on how to make our community better, and I feel I have a great opportunity as Council President to make this happen”
