City Council, Position 3
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Arne Woodard | 6,018 | 52.09% |
| Tom Towey | 5,534 | 47.91% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
The Candidates
Arne Woodard
- Age:
- 71
- City:
- Spokane Valley, WA
Education: Graduated from Gonzaga Prep in 1971 and attended Spokane Community College for about a year and a half.
Political experience: Has served on the City Council since 2011 and is the longest serving councilman in Spokane Valley history.
Work experience: Owned real estate business from 1994 to 2018. Previously worked in construction and rebuilding homes damaged by floods or storms. Has worked on road and underground utility projects. Has owned a bakery named Backburner Breads, sold bread-making equipment and owned a health food store called Magic Mill.
Family: Married to Charmagne Woodard. Has seven children and 15 or so grandchildren.
Fundraising: Has raised more than $10,600 as of Sept. 26, and also began his campaign with an additional $5,225 in funds. Woodard has received several donations from individuals and companies in the real estate and construction industries. Other notable donors include Spokane Valley City Councilman Rod Higgins, former Spokane County GOP Chairwoman Cynthia Zapotocky, Spokane Valley City Councilwoman Laura Padden and state Sen. Mike Padden.
Tom Towey
- City:
- Spokane Valley, WA
In his words: “I was privileged to serve as mayor from 2010 through 2013. I understand the role the council plays and the impact its decisions has on our citizens.”
His pitch: Towey describes himself as a consensus builder and his top priorities are: public safety, supporting infrastructure with a comprehensive street preservation and maintenance program and keeping the Valley a contract city.
Experience: He was part of the Spokane Valley incorporation process in 2003, started going to council meetings in 2007 and was unopposed when he ran for office. Worked as a manager for Rosauers for 33 years.
Education: Towey attended West Valley High School and graduated with a business degree from Eastern Washington University.
Complete Coverage
Incumbents hold leads in Spokane Valley council races
Incumbents hold leads in Spokane Valley council races
Editorial: Endorsement: Return respected Towey to Valley council
Tom Towey’s embrace of regional cooperation and sensible budgeting gives him the nod over incumbent Arne Woodard.
Spokane Valley City Council votes to keep property tax the same
Spokane Valley City Council member Ed Pace tries to get city to lower property tax.
Election preview: Former Spokane Valley Mayor Towey challenges Woodard for council
Former Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey challenges Arne Woodard for position 3 on the Spokane Valley City Council