Al French
A candidate for Spokane County Commissioner, District 3, Spokane County in the 2018 Washington General Election, Nov. 6
Party: Republican
Age: 73
City: Spokane, Washington
Education: Graduated from Western High School in Las Vegas. Earned bachelor's in architecture and minored in business finance at the University of Idaho.
Political experience: Has served three four-year terms and one two-year term as a Spokane County commissioner. Served two terms on the Spokane City Council from 2002 to 2009. Served as the Nevada-Lidgerwood Neighborhood Council president from 1995 to 2001.
Work experience: Served in the Marine Corps from 1969 to 1972. Worked as an officer candidate school instructor in Quantico, Virginia. Has been an architect and developer in Spokane since 1977. Spent much of his career designing retail buildings.
Family: Married to Rosalie French. Has a daughter and a grandson.
Fundraising: Has raised nearly $195,000 as of Oct. 2, 2024, including a $5,000 loan to himself and more than $20,000 he’s given himself via in-kind contributions, according to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. Prominent donors include a long list of contractors, home builders and political action committees representing the development industry. French also has donations from Highline Grain Growers; Avista Corporation CEO Dennis Vermillion; former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward; Spokane Valley City Councilman Rod Higgins; Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley; former Spokane Valley Mayor Diana Wilhite; state Rep. Leonard Christian; Daniel Kuney, brother-in-law of Commissioner Mary Kuney; and longtime conservative candidate contributor Duane Alton, who owned Alton’s Tires until 2008.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Al French (R) | 122,092 | 56.65% |
| Robbi Katherine Anthony (D) | 93,442 | 43.35% |
Related Coverage
Annemarie Frohnoefer: New jail won’t solve societal problems
County Commissioner Al French has proposed building a new jail, saying, “this can has been kicked down the road for too many years,” before adding that he needs to know an exact number of beds. The implication is that once the number is known then building can begin.
Spokane County commissioners open union contract negotiations to the public
The move means members of the public and media will be able to witness the collective bargaining process in real time, even though state law allows that process to take place in private meetings. “Salaries are our largest cost, and the citizens ought to know how we’re negotiating contracts and how we’re trying to represent the best interests of both the taxpayers and our employees,” Commissioner Al French said.
County approves $790 million budget without raising taxes
Spokane County commissioners unanimously approved a $790 million balanced budget for next year that largely avoids cuts to county departments while maintaining funding for public safety, infrastructure, parks and capital projects.
Spokane County Commission again votes for 1 percent property tax increase
Spokane County Commissioners approved a 1 percent property tax increase to fund core county services, road construction and property acquisition for the Conservation Futures program.
County commissioners vote to sue state over commission expansion
Spokane County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to file a lawsuit to block expansion of the board from three members to five.
French, Kuney sworn in as Spokane County commissioners
Spokane County Commissioners Al French and Mary Kuney took the oath of office Tuesday evening surrounded by family members, friends and county employees.
Spokane County Commissioners to take action on lawsuit aiming to block expansion of board
Spokane County commissioners will vote on whether to approve a lawsuit to block expansion of the board from three to five members – which would be filed on behalf of the county – at a Nov. 27 meeting.
Integrated 911 center could go forward without city of Spokane
City of Spokane dispatchers may not be apart of a new region-wide communications center after City Council required its dispatchers to exclusively work with city public safety employees.
Al French wins third term on Spokane County Commission
Incumbent Republican Al French is leading in the race against Democratic opponent Robbi Katherine Anthony to retain his seat on the Spokane County Board of Commissioners.
Amazon showcases progress of West Plains fulfillment center
Amazon showed off progress on its new West Plains fulfillment center Friday, which will be finished in fall 2019.