Karen Stratton, who was appointed to the Spokane City Council in August, will officially begin her effort to keep that seat with a fundraiser later this month.

Stratton has already raised about $5,000, mostly from friends and family, but she'll likely need more than that to defend her position on the council. David White and Kelly Cruz have already filed election paperwork to run against her. Adrian Dominguez, who was passed over for appointment to the council in favor of Stratton, said earlier this year he was considering running against her.

In 2013, general election candidates in Stratton's northwest Spokane district raised substantial money. Candace Mumm, who won that election, raised more than $93,000. Michael Cannon, who lost, raised more than $69,000.

Read Stratton's full announcement below:

Spokane City Council member Karen Stratton today announced that she will host a fundraising event to formally commence her campaign for Position 3 on the City Council.  The event will take place on Thursday March 26, 2015 at 5:30 P.M. at the Mukogawa Ft. Wright Institute Commons, 4800 West Randolph Road, adjacent to the Spokane Falls Community College campus.  Wine, beer and light hors d’oeuvres will be provided. 

Ms. Stratton was appointed to the City Council in September 2014 to fill the council seat vacated by Steve Salvatore.  Since her appointment she has been a vocal champion for fair hiring and management practices in City Hall, and has focused on preserving fundamental services that make Spokane a livable community, including utilities, fire protection, police protection, clean air and water, roads and community services. In that time she has stressed her desire to maintain a non-partisan approach to her duties, reaching out to all council members for solutions.

“There have been challenges since my appointment to the City Council-- issues of conduct within the executive branch, questions of fairness towards city workers, and concerns as to how the city conducts its business.  Each time I asked myself what is fair, what is reasonable and what is in the best interest of my district and for the whole city,” said Stratton, summarizing her six months of service.

As an appointed member of the council, Stratton will be running for election for the first time in the August primary election.  If she is one of the top two vote-getters, she will advance to the November general election.

Although this is her first run at an elective office, Stratton is no stranger to City Hall or local politics. Her father, Allen Stratton, served on the City Council from 1965 to 1975, and was instrumental in bringing Expo ’74 to Spokane. Her mother, Lois Stratton, represented the 3^rd District in Washington Legislature for 13 years.  Karen Stratton was executive assistant to both Mayors Jim West and Mary Verner, and worked for the City’s Regional Solid Waste System and with the City Clerk, which was her last position before she joined the council.   She prides herself on her ability to communicate with persons of varied political leanings.

“I’ve seen a lot of politics over the years, both inside Olympia and City Hall. I I’ve learned that nothing gets done unless we find ways to work together. My campaign will be an invitation to all to discuss issues openly and productively.  Sure, we may disagree from time to time, but I hope no citizen ever leaves a conversation with me thinking they did not have a chance to share their side of an issue with me.  That’s the greatest value of a campaign -- hearing what our citizens think.”