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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane County Commissioner

The Candidates

Al French

Party:
Republican
Age:
73
City:
Spokane, Washington

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

Political experience: Has served three four-year terms and one two-year term 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.

Fundraising: Has raised nearly $195,000 as of Oct. 2, 2024, including a $5,000 loan to himself and more than $20,000 he’s given himself via in-kind contributions, according to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. Prominent donors include a long list of contractors, home builders and political action committees representing the development industry. French also has donations from Highline Grain Growers; Avista Corporation CEO Dennis Vermillion; former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward; Spokane Valley City Councilman Rod Higgins; Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley; former Spokane Valley Mayor Diana Wilhite; state Rep. Leonard Christian; Daniel Kuney, brother-in-law of Commissioner Mary Kuney; and longtime conservative candidate contributor Duane Alton, who owned Alton’s Tires until 2008.

Molly Marshall

Party:
Democratic
City:
Spokane, Washington

Education: Graduated from Lincoln (Nebraska) High School in 1986. Attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for three years before finishing her degree at Eastern Washington University. Majored in political science and minored in psychology.

Work experience: Joined the Air National Guard in 1986. Served for 30 years, working her way up from a junior enlisted member to a senior officer and KC-135 tanker pilot. Has picked up jobs for the Spokane County Elections Office, the Vanessa Behan crisis nursery and the Arc of Spokane. Co-founded the nonprofit Citizen Action for Latah Valley.

Political experience: First-time candidate.

Family: Married to Adam Marshall. Has two daughters.

Fundraising: Raised more than 209,000 as of Oct. 2, 2024, including a $5,000 cash donation from the Spokane County Democratic Central Committee, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Other notable donors include Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown; Spokane City Council members Betsy Wilkerson and Kitty Klitzke; County Commissioners Chris Jordan and Amber Waldref; state Rep.Marcus Riccelli; state Sen. Andy Billig; numerous labor unions; the Washington Education Association; and the political action committees for the Spokane Fire Fighters Union and the progressive advocacy group Win with Women.

Complete Coverage

Spokane County Commissioner Al French accuses opposition of violating campaign finance law in flurry of complaint filings

As the general election inches closer, outside spenders are pouring money into the race between County Commissioner Al French and opponent Molly Marshall.

French, Marshall clash on housing, homelessness and cooperation at KSPS hosted debate

Three weeks before voters determine who wins a seat on the Spokane County Commission, the candidates took another chance to argue why it should be them to represent the southwestern part of the county.

Candidate Conversations: County Commissioner Al French

Spokane County Commissioner Al French talks with Spokesman-Review local government reporter Nick Gibson about his re-election campaign. (French’s opponent in the race, Molly Marshall, declined to participate in Candidate Conversations.)

In his final bid for office, County Commissioner Al French faces challenge from a National Guard veteran, neighborhood activist

Spokane County Commissioner Al French will need to survive a challenge from a career Air National Guardsman -turned -neighborhood activist if he hopes to serve a fifth term on the county’s governing board.

Superior Court Judge dismisses effort to recall County Commissioner Al French

A judge appointed to represent the Spokane County Superior Court Thursday dismissed the recall petition filed last month against Commissioner Al French.

Spokane County Commissioners to host three public roundtables on 2025 budgeting process

The Spokane County Commissioners are actively outlining next year’s budget and will begin taking community feedback on the process next week.

Spokane County Commissioners move to regulate wind, solar farms as interest grows in Eastern Washington

As energy companies continue to eye large wind farms in Eastern Washington, Spokane County commissioners are setting the terms for what they’ll look like within the county’s borders.

Developers hope to pivot on Wandermere property once lauded as next Kendall Yards

The developers tasked with turning a former gravel pit into the next Kendall Yards have asked the county if they can alter course.

In farewell to McMorris Rodgers, Fairchild summit showcases progress, pitfalls for military families

Military families and their advocates gathered at Fairchild Air Force Base on Wednesday to share resources, reflect on the progress they have made and highlight the barriers that still make it hard for troops and their families to access adequate food, housing, employment and education.

Primary night results preface hotly contested race for Spokane County Commission

Tuesday’s primary had no impact on who would advance to the November election in the race to represent southwestern Spokane County on the county commission.

Many with PFAS in their West Plains wells question airport leadership and Commissioner Al French; he blames criticism on election year politics

West Plains resident Craig Volosing stood up in a June public meeting to allege County Commissioner Al French and Spokane International Airport engaged in “absolute silence” on water contamination first discovered in 2017.

Spokane County puts sales tax renewal request on November ballot

Spokane County voters will be asked to renew a nearly 30-year-old sales tax this November that funds detention facilities and jails for juvenile offenders.

Spokane County’s plans for 30-year-old tax renewal request may be complicated by Mayor Brown’s proposal

Spokane County commissioners will ask voters to renew a tax to pay for detention services for minors, but Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown’s Monday announcement of her proposal to increase the sales tax within city limits could affect when they decide to do it.

‘This area’s growing, thriving’: Spokane County to construct new community park on the West Plains

The sounds of hammers pounding, nail guns firing and cautionary beeps from heavy machinery seems to fill the rolling hills near Interstate 90’s exit 272 on the West Plains.

Resurrected reality TV series ‘Cops’ to return to Spokane County despite local, nationwide critiques

The reality television show “Cops,” which has faced national scrutiny in recent years for its depiction of law enforcement, will return to the region this summer to film alongside Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputies stationed in Spokane Valley and unincorporated areas of the county.

Kerfuffle at the courthouse: Campaign event for county commissioner devolves into chaos

Before Molly Marshall could get to the specifics of her plan to deal with water pollution, the county commissioner candidate’s press conference devolved into chaos as her supporters attempted to forcibly remove a provocateur from the audience.

Officials say new broadband system in Spokane County will be a boost to rural communities

While communities in southern Spokane County wait for hardwired internet access, the regional broadband development authority has managed to provide a temporary solution that improves remote learning, economic development and emergency responses in rural areas.

‘You are in for a treat’: Spokane International Airport unveils newly constructed concourse

Glossy terrazzo floors, windows that tint automatically and a 315-square-foot nursing room are just some of the features that can be found under the sloped steel roof of the Spokane International Airport’s newest addition.

Free bus fare proposed for nearly nine weeks during Expo ‘74 anniversary celebrations

Spokane’s elected leadership wants it to be free to ride a bus in Spokane County for nearly nine weeks during the 50th anniversary celebration of Expo ’74. Some members of the Spokane Transit Authority board are skeptical.

Retired Air National Guard member announces candidacy, hopes to unseat county Commissioner Al French

A retired Washington Air National Guard member has announced her candidacy to represent the West Plains on the Spokane County Board of Commissioners.