County Commissioner, district 2
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Shelly O’Quinn (R) | 123,721 | 62.10% |
| Andrew Biviano (D) | 75,517 | 37.90% |
* 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.
About the Race
In the race for district 2 on the commission, Republican Shelly O’Quinn faces a challenge from Spokane attorney Andrew Biviano, a Democrat. The position represents the southeastern part of the county, including Spokane Valley and a corner of Spokane.
O’Quinn, elected to the commission in 2012, claims she has helped cut more than $1 million in annual spending by streamlining county functions. Biviano, a former federal prosecutor and mental health case manager, has made criminal justice reform a focus of his campaign.
In a recent debate, Biviano said the current commissioners have devoted too much of the county budget to top administrators. He noted the commissioners approved a large raise for the county CEO and created the position of chief operating officer; meanwhile, most county employees make significantly less than those in other counties. O’Quinn argued administrators are paid appropriately for their work.
Biviano also bemoaned a lack of “urgency” in the county’s efforts at criminal justice and mental health care reform. But O’Quinn said the county has made significant progress in those areas. Both said they would support housing projects for homeless people and low-income families.
The Candidates
Shelly O'Quinn
- Party:
- Republican
- Age:
- 49
- City:
- Spokane, WA
Education: Graduated from Central Valley High School. Earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Whitworth University and a master’s in business administration from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.
Political experience: Elected to the Spokane County Commission in 2012. Ran unsuccessfully for state House of Representatives in 2010.
Work experience: Worked for Greater Spokane Inc., Habitat for Humanity and the Inland Northwest Community Foundation in Spokane. Led the George Nethercutt Foundation as executive director. Worked with World Vision developing small businesses in Honduras. Directed a mission for First United Methodist Church in Stuart, Florida.
Family: Divorced. Has two children.
Andrew Biviano
- Party:
- Democratic
- Age:
- 49
- City:
- Spokane, WA
- Occupation:
- Lawyer
Education: Graduated from St. George’s School in Spokane. Earned a bachelor’s degree in clinical child psychology from Yale University in 1997, and a law degree from Gonzaga University in 2006.
Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for Spokane County Commissioner as a Democrat in 2016. Served as chair of Spokane County Democrats, 2017-2018.
Work experience: Owner of Law Office of Andrew S. Biviano, civil rights firm in downtown Spokane. Pro tem judge at Spokane County District Court. Former partner at Paukert & Troppmann in Spokane. Previously worked as a mental health counselor, case manager and court-appointed special advocate. Worked with mentally ill patients at Frontier Behavioral Health. Spent four years as a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney's Office in Eastern Washington..
Family: Married. Has three children.
Complete Coverage
Spokane County Republican chair calls on Democrats to denounce booing of Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
The Spokane County Republican Party chair is calling on her Democratic counterpart to denounce the booing and chanting that drowned out part of Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ speech at Spokane’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Rally.
County officials balance budget with property taxes former commissioner says should be devoted to roads
For the third year in a row, Spokane County officials are balancing the budget by diverting money that a former commissioner says should be spent on road improvements.
Shelly O’Quinn wins re-election on Spokane County Commission; Josh Kerns leads
A Democrat on the Spokane County Commission? Probably not. Incumbent Republican Shelly O’Quinn easily won re-election Tuesday and Republican Josh Kerns had a strong lead for the other open seat.
Andrew Biviano challenging Shelly O’Quinn for seat on Spokane County Commission
In the race between Spokane County Commissioner Shelly O’Quinn and challenger Andrew Biviano, voters will choose between a business-oriented Republican and a Democratic attorney pushing for criminal justice reform.
County commission hopeful Andrew Biviano wins endorsement from ‘opposite end of political spectrum’
Spokane Valley City Councilman Ed Pace, a self-proclaimed libertarian, constitutionalist and tea party Republican, said Democrat Andrew Biviano is exceedingly qualified for the commission job and “has a heart for justice.”
Shawn Vestal: Shelly O’Quinn worries political divisiveness is keeping business from Spokane, but maybe that’s what companies want
Is political divisiveness fouling Spokane’s business climate? Or is it fueling it?
O’Quinn deserves second term
O’Quinn is a strong defender of the collaboration between GSI, which represents business interests, and the county’s economic development efforts
Spokane County Commission candidates debate jobs, justice, housing … and Matt Shea
In one of their first debates Monday, Shelly O’Quinn sought to defend her record on the Spokane County Commission while challenger Andrew Biviano criticized a lack of “urgency” in the county’s efforts at criminal justice reform.
Legal settlement clears way for mental hospital patients to resume field trips
A crackdown on patients leaving the grounds of state mental hospitals put in place after the high-profile escape from an outing to the Spokane County Fair in 2009 will be largely reversed, thanks to a settlement reached earlier this month with patients who contended the rules violated their civil rights. Six patients and Disability Rights Washington, an advocacy group, sued the state in 2014 alleging restrictions on access to hospital grounds and outside trips implemented after patient Phillip Paul walked away from his field trip group in 2009 violated patients’ constitutional rights.
County planners worked with developer to make sure South Hill project could move ahead
City planners will do the heavy lifting applying state development laws to a 9-acre, $6 million development on Spokane’s South Hill proposed by developer Cyrus Vaughn. Vaughn is fighting his annexation into city limits, saying the City Council’s actions violated state law.
Spokane County, neighborhood groups sign sweeping settlement in land-use disputes
Spokane County agreed it will not expand the area where urban growth can occur for at least nine years without meeting certain benchmarks, while controversial boundaries drawn in 2013 will remain largely in place. The compromise marks the end of nearly a decade of legal wrangling, both sides said.
Inslee approves Spokane Tribe’s West Plains casino project
Gov. Jay Inslee gave the final approval on Tuesday for the Spokane Tribe’s casino project, clearing the way to a $400 million gaming and retail development on the West Plains. The project has been opposed by downtown business interests as well as Spokane County leaders who have argued that the construction of a large commercial area near Fairchild Air Force Base could make the military base susceptible to closure. But the base never took a formal position on the issue, and supporters of the casino stressed that the project would create well-paying jobs for tribal members and other and boost the local economy.
Spokane County contracts with Alabama firm to provide jail medical services for $2.6 million
NaphCare, Inc., is buttressing the meager nursing staff at the aging Spokane County Jail.
Spokane County Commissioners revise public meeting rules for ‘administrative’ topics
Spokane County Commissioners gave themselves the option this week to move public hearings they believe won’t be well-attended to afternoons. A revision to county laws approved unanimously by the three Republican commissioners allows input on some topics to occur at sessions held at 2 p.m., when commissioners approve measures considered “routine.” This includes signing off on payroll, accepting grants and buying equipment. Commissioner Shelly O’Quinn said the change promotes “leaner” government by trimming costs and encouraging efficiency.
Andrew Biviano takes on Shelly O’Quinn for Spokane County commissioner
The 40-year-old private practice attorney said the three-member commission needs a strong, progressive voice that has been absent for the past few years.
O’Quinn touts lean management savings at State of Spokane County address
Spokane County Commissioner Shelly O’Quinn said the county is saving between $1 million and $1.4 million annually as a result of lean management strategies implemented in the past few years at an address Friday in front of Greater Spokane Inc.
Avista wants to install 265 electric vehicle charging stations in Eastern Washington
Avista has asked state regulators to approve a two-year pilot program that would greatly expand the use of electric vehicles in Eastern Washington, installing 265 charging stations in homes, workplaces and public locations.
Gerry Gemmill leaves alma mater for opportunity at Spokane County
A split Spokane County Commission has chosen Gerry Gemmill as the next chief executive for the county. Friends and supporters say he’ll make good use of contacts and a perspective from years in multiple government offices.