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

Al French

A candidate for Spokane County Commissioner, District 5, Spokane County in the 2022 Washington Primary Election, Aug. 2

Party: Republican

Age: 73

City: Spokane, Washington

Education: Graduated from Western High School in Las Vegas. Majored in architecture and minored in business finance at the University of Idaho.

Political experience: Has served three terms 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.

FundraisingHas raised nearly $140,000 as of Oct. 9, including more than $20,000 he's given himself via in-kind contributions. Prominent donors include a long list of contractors, home builders and political action committees representing the development industry. French also has donations from Amazon, Avista, Avista Corporation CEO Dennis Vermillion, Spokane Valley City Councilman Rod Higgins, Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Gretchen McDevitt, a former board member of the Spokane County Republican Party and wife of former U.S. District Attorney for Eastern Washington Jim McDevitt.

Contact information

Race Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Maggie Yates (D) 13,590 44.56%
Al French (R) 12,564 41.20%
Don A. Harmon (R) 3,478 11.40%
Tara Carter (I) 866 2.84%

Details & headlines

Related Coverage

City of Spokane and Knezovich requesting emergency proclamation for Camp Hope

Spokane County commissioners plan to sign an emergency proclamation on Tuesday related to Camp Hope, the 450-person homeless encampment along Interstate 90 in east Spokane. 

Pints and Politics: Spokane County Commission debate

At the recent Pints and Politics event Oct. 6, 2022 at the Bing Crosby Theater, Spokane County Commissioner candidates, Al French and Maggie Yates debated the issues facing the District 5 seat on the newly expanded county commission. Jonathan Brunt, the Spokesman-Review’s Government Editor acts as moderator.

Democrat Yates looks to unseat Republican French in race that could shift balance of power on the Spokane County Commission

Whichever political party wins District 5 will likely win a majority on the county commission, the most powerful branch of Spokane County government. 

French and Yates disagree on need for new county jail during Thursday debate

Spokane County Commissioner Al French, a Republican who is running to maintain a seat on the commission in the newly drawn 5th Commissioner District, faced his opponent, Democrat Maggie Yates, in a Thursday night debate.

Spokane County to sue WSDOT over Camp Hope

It’s unclear if Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward supports the lawsuit. 

Effort to improve voter turnout among inmates moving forward, despite opposition from Spokane County commissioners

Commissioners Josh Kerns and Al French rejected auditor Vicky Dalton’s request to get grant funding to improve voter turnout in Spokane County detention facilities. 

Incumbent French dealt a blow after fellow Republican endorses his Democratic opponent

Republican Don Harmon, who was eliminated from the rac, has endorsed Democrat Maggie Yates in the race for Spokane County Commission District 5. 

French trailing, but other Spokane County Commission incumbents cruise to general election

For the first time in history, voters this year are electing five Spokane County commissioners instead of three.

Haven’t yet voted in the primary election? Here’s what’s at stake in Spokane County

For those who liking waiting to the last minute to cast their ballots, here’s a look at the candidate field. 

Even before $27 million Spokane County Jail lawsuit, NaphCare had a rocky legal history

The company that provides health care services to the Spokane County Jail is no stranger to lawsuits.