Al (Albert) Merkel
A candidate for Spokane Valley City Council Position 3, City of Spokane Valley in the 2023 Washington General Election, Nov. 7
Age: 38
City: Spokane Valley, WA
Education: Graduated from University High School in 2004. Graduated from Whitworth University in 2009 with bachelor’s degrees in mathematics, political science and economics.
Political experience: Unsuccessfully ran for Spokane Valley City Council in 2017 and 2019. Was elected to the city council in 2023, beating longtime Valley Councilman Arne Woodard. Serves as a Republican precinct committee officer.
Work experience: Co-owns Dee's Dog Grooming with his wife. Works as an emergency substitute teacher for the Central Valley School District. Was chief financial officer, and briefly, chief executive officer of Sequoia Detox Centers. Has worked for several companies and agencies as a contract specialist, including the Centene Corporation, the U.S. Agency for International Development, Chemonics International, Premier Management Corporation and Louis Burger.
Family: Married to Stephanie Merkel. Has one child.
Campaign Fundraising: Has raised a cumulative $1,171 as of July 12, comprised of $470 in small cash gifts and $701 of in-kind donations to himself.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Al (Albert) Merkel | 14,181 | 65.92% |
| Arne Woodard | 7,333 | 34.08% |
Related Coverage
Spokane Valley City Council members get into heated argument as they adjust to new social media restrictions
A discussion on Spokane Valley’s new social media policy that was hurriedly passed at the end of December turned heated Tuesday when two council members exchanged verbal jabs, leading Mayor Pam Haley to shut down council member questions.
Woodard thumped by Merkel in Spokane Valley City Council race; Hattenburg holds large lead over Chase
Arne Woodard, the longest serving city councilman in Spokane Valley’s brief history, lost to Al Merkel by 30 percentage points.
City Council candidates debate Spokane Valley issues at S-R event
City Council candidates Thursday night debated major Spokane Valley issues at the Mirabeau Park Hotel and Convention Center.
Northwest Passages hosting Spokane Valley City Council candidate forum
From staff reports
Spokane Valley’s longest-serving council member faces a familiar opponent
Arne Woodard, 70, hopes to beat out 37-year-old Al Merkel and secure a fourth and final term in office.
Upcoming Spokane Valley elections feature intriguing match-ups
Three Spokane Valley City Council seats are up for grabs this year, and all three races offer plenty of intrigue.