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

Michael Cathcart

A candidate for Spokane City Council District 1 (Northeast), City of Spokane in the 2023 Washington General Election, Nov. 7

Age: 38

City: Spokane, Washington

Education: Went to University High School. Graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor's degree in motion picture arts. 

Political experience: Elected to the the Spokane City Council in 2019, and currently serves as the Spokane City Council president pro tem. Ran unsuccessfully for Spokane County commissioner in 2022. Serves as Spokane’s representative to the Regional Broadlinc Public Development Authority, chair of the Public Safety Committee, chair of the Northeast Public Development Authority, chair of the police and fire pension boards, vice-chair of the Finance Committee, and a current member of the Budget Committee, Spokane Police Advisory Committee and Traffic Calming Committee. Formerly served as vice chair of the Spokane City Council Public Infrastructure & Environment Committee, council liaison for the Spokane Park Board, council liaison for the city’s Employees Retirement System, volunteer for the Spokane Lunar New Year Celebration, chair of the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council, member of the city’s In-Fill Housing Steering Committee and a member of the Mayor’s Quality and Affordable Housing Taskforce.

Work experience: Spent five years as executive director of Better Spokane, a pro-business organization. Worked as an aide for former 6th Legislative District Sen. Michael Baumgartner. Former government affairs director for the Spokane Home Builders Association. 

Family: Married to Vina (Tran) Cathcart. Has a young son.

Political donations: Reported nearly $63,800 as of Oct. 3. Top donors include the Association of Builders and Contractors Political Action Committee, the Build East Political Action Commission, Spokane Realtors, the Spokane Homebuilders Association, manufacturing and engineering firm Pyrotek, and George, Jennifer, Theresa and Ryan Gee of the Gee Automotive Holdings company.

Contact information

Race Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Michael Cathcart 7,909 56.18%
Lindsey Shaw 6,169 43.82%

Details & headlines

Related Coverage

Spokane pumps the brakes on new drive-thrus on congested stretch of 29th Avenue

New drive-thru restaurants that haven’t submitted building permits will no longer be able to be built on a frequently congested stretch of East 29th Avenue after the Spokane City Council voted Monday to change the zoning in that area.

Inslee presents ‘incredibly visionary’ Spokane with award for relaxing land-use restrictions

In 2022, politicians and city staff in Spokane responded to the growing housing crisis by drastically relaxing land-use restrictions to allow for denser housing like fourplexes and townhomes to be built in all residential areas in the city.

New process created to review offensive landmarks and street names in Spokane, including Monaghan statue

Spokane now has a process to review potentially offensive landmarks and street names located on city property, spurred by concerns over the downtown statue of Ensign John Monaghan.

‘God help us’: Conservatives feel iced out by new, more progressive Spokane City Council

Conservatives have held less and less sway on the Spokane City Council since losing the majority in 2013, but after voters elected a more progressive slate of members in November the two remaining right-leaning council members who represent northeast Spokane feel they’ve almost entirely lost their influence.

Anonymity, limited testimony and an end to standing: Spokane City Council changes open forum rules

The Spokane City Council significantly changed its public testimony rules Monday night, including by banning audience members from standing to show support or displeasure.

Lili Navarrete appointed to two-year stint on Spokane City Council

Barbara Liliana Navarrete Lorenzo, better known as Lili Navarrete, has been appointed to fill an open seat on the Spokane City Council for the next two years.

Development, infrastructure and homelessness among priorities for Spokane City Council in 2024

The Spokane City Council returned to work Monday after an end-of-year recess, and its returning and newly elected members say they have big plans for the year ahead.

Dedicated bike lane plow and sweeper coming to Spokane

Spokane will soon get the city’s first purpose-built sweeper and plow to remove snow and debris from protected bike lanes, which are too narrow for most of the city’s equipment to navigate.

Spokane plans to clear bike lanes with new and ‘transformative’ snow plow

Spokane may soon have the city’s first purpose-built sweeper and plow to remove snow and debris from protected bike lanes, which are too narrow for most of the city’s equipment to navigate.

Spokane City Council makes 11th-hour changes to redistricting measure on February ballot

Spokane voters will still decide early next year whether the City Council should have less power in drawing council districts in the future, but the measure that will appear on local ballots has been slightly changed after a Thursday vote.