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

Jim Wilson

A candidate for Senator, Legislative District 3 (central Spokane) in the 2024 Washington General Election, Nov. 5

Party: Republican

City: Spokane, Washington

Education: Graduated from Clover Park High School in Tacoma in 1971. Holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Washington State University.

Work experience: Previously co-owned a business in the Tri-Cities for 10 years doing food distribution and operating a cold storage warehouse. He began working as a Realtor in 1988 and has owned his own real estate company since 2013.

Political experience: Began serving as a Republican precinct committee officer two years ago.

Family: Married to Kathleen Wilson. Has three children.

Campaign finance: Raised nearly $32,000, including $7,500 in loans, as of Oct. 2, 2024, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Contributors include Tobacco World in Spokane, former Gonzaga basketball and NBA star John Stockton and former Spokane County Republican Party Chairwoman Cindy Zapotocky.

Race Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Marcus Riccelli (D) 45,471 60.63%
Jim Wilson (R) 29,532 39.37%

Details & headlines

Related Coverage

Hill, Riccelli win seats to state House, Senate in 3rd District; Republicans sweep races in 4th, 6th, 7th and 9th districts

Spokane and Spokane Valley voters helped the candidates favored to win in each of their respective state House and state Senate races breathe a sigh of relief Tuesday.

Rep. Marcus Riccelli faces Republican Jim Wilson in KSPS debate

Longtime Spokane Rep. Marcus Riccelli is hoping to make the jump to the state Senate, while newcomer Jim Wilson is hoping to put Olympia in a new direction.

Campaign for state Senate graffitis political slogan on downtown Spokane sidewalks, Riverfront Park

Republican candidate for state Senate Jim Wilson literally made his mark on Downtown Spokane.

Riccelli faces surprise opponent on November ballot for central Spokane Senate seat

Democrat Marcus Riccelli was running unopposed to fill the Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Andy Billig on the August primary ballot, but a last-minute successful write-in campaign means he will now face Republican Jim Wilson in November.