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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane City Council District 3 (Northwest)

Election Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Zack Zappone 10,494 50.63%
Mike Lish 10,232 49.37%

* 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

Zack Zappone

Age:
33
City:
Spokane, Washington

Education: Graduated from North Central High School in Spokane in 2009. Graduated from Georgetown University with a bachelor's degree in American Studies with a minor in Spanish. Graduated with a master's degree in public affairs in 2019 from Princeton University. Earned teaching certificate from University of Washington.

Political experience: Ran as Democrat for state representative in 2020.

Work experience: Zappone was a middle school English and history teacher for three years at Park Middle School in Kennewick. Substitute teacher in Spokane Public Schools and Mead School District. Program manager for Better Health Together.

Family: Unmarried.

Campaign finance: Raised about $60,000 as of Oct. 1, including from the Spokane Regional Labor Council ($1,500, the Spokane Firefighters Union ($1,000), former Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart ($500) and the Washington State Democratic Party Central Committee ($747). 

Mike Lish

Age:
44
City:
Spokane, Washington

Education: Graduated from Liberty High School and Colorado School of Trades.

Political experience: First run for office.

Work experience: President of D.Lish's Hamburgers Inc.

Family: Married. Has two children aged 7 and 4.

Campaign finance: Raised about $64,000 as of Oct. 1, including from the Associated Builders and Contractors ($2,000), state Rep. Mike Volz ($1,000), developer Harley Douglass ($1,000) and the Spokane Police Guild ($1,000)

Complete Coverage

Spokane City Council member Zack Zappone makes mark early in first term

Zappone, who took office earlier this month, remains on a part-time contract to teach 10th and 11th grade English at North Central High School.“Being in the classroom, especially in a school in my district, keeps me connected to the community I serve,” Zappone told The Spokesman-Review. “Nobody keeps it as real as students keep it real.”

Lish falling just short in Spokane; Higgins overtakes Johnson in Spokane Valley

After trailing on election day, Rod Higgins overtook James “JJ” Johnson Friday in a race for Spokane Valley City Council that could be headed for a recount.

Council races in Spokane, Valley remain tight as more ballots are counted

The gap between Spokane City Council candidates Zack Zappone and Mike Lish ever-so-slightly narrowed on Thursday.

Jonathan Bingle wins Spokane City Council seat; Zappone leading race against Lish

The Spokane City Council will gain a new conservative voice next year with the election Tuesday of Jonathan Bingle in northeast Spokane.

Spokane City Council candidates respond to the campaign ads against them

As the general election nears, candidates for Spokane City Council and their supporters are trading barbs and making claims.

Outside campaign spending on Spokane City Council races grows to unprecedented level

Realtors are spending an unprecedented amount of money to support Spokane City Council candidates.

Lish, Zappone debate experience in Northwest Passages debate

Spokane City Council candidates Mike Lish and Zack Zappone highlighted their different backgrounds and experiences during a debate on Friday.

Northwest Passages: Spokane City Council District 3

Spokane City Council candidates Mike Lish and Zach Zapone and debate the issues with moderator Adam Shanks of the Spokesman-Review.

Candidates for Spokane City Council, school board sound off on climate change during forum at Gonzaga University

Picture this: It’s 2031. Spokane has made many of the changes needed to begin addressing issues with climate change.

Zappone, Lish square off in Northwest race for Spokane City Council

The race for Spokane City Council in Northwest features two newcomers to city politics.

Early indications: Spokane City Council races tight in November

What names appear on the ballot for Spokane City Council in November is still uncertain, but Tuesday’s primary election results indicate that they will be competitive.

Bingle leads in Northeast Spokane; Zappone, Lish poised to move forward in Northwest

Conservative and progressive choices advanced in both Spokane City Council races on the ballot in Tuesday’s primary.

Realtors pump big campaign money into Spokane City Council races ahead of August primary

The Spokane Association of Realtors is putting big money into two Spokane City Council races on the Aug. 3 primary ballot.

Five seek to replace Candace Mumm to represent northwest Spokane on City Council

A wide field of candidates has stepped forward to represent Northwest Spokane on the Spokane City Council.

Democrats see Spokane County’s 6th district as up for grabs. Why haven’t they won it?

Flush with cash and confidence, Democrats again opened their wallets in an effort to flip Spokane County’s 6th Legislative District blue in 2020.

Volz, Graham headed back to State House

Incumbent Republican state Rep. Mike Volz’s lead widened again Thursday and now appears unlikely to be surmounted.

Additional ballots favor incumbents Graham, Volz in 6th District

Incumbent State Rep. Jenny Graham appears poised for re-election in the 6th Legislative District with her lead widening as additional ballots were tallied on Wednesday, and her opponent issued a concession.

In the 6th Legislative District, Graham and Volz hold narrow leads

The races for two seats representing the 6th Legislative District in the House of Representatives remained too close to call on Tuesday night. 

Candidates, debate venues found new ways to connect with voters as COVID-19 restrictions continue

As candidates opportunities to meet voters shrunk over the pandemic, both debate venues and candidates themselves got creative to find ways to still connect with voters during the pandemic.