3rd District Brown Vs. Moyer: Two Well-Known Politicians Square Off In Race For Position In State Senate

The 3rd District legislative races feature two of Spokane’s best-known politicians, a radio personality and three youngsters.

The battle for the Senate seat pits incumbent Republican John Moyer against Democratic challenger Rep. Lisa Brown.

Both candidates are political veterans and valued party loyalists in Olympia.

They also both have strong connections in the district, which covers Spokane’s central neighborhoods.

Moyer, 74, has delivered more than 8,000 Spokane babies during 30 years as a physician with a private practice in the city.

Brown, 40, has taught economics to more than a thousand Eastern Washington University students during her 15 years as an associate professor.

Brown is considered a savvy liberal Democrat by peers. In the Legislature, she advocated subsidizing more child care for the working poor - to help keep them off welfare.

Moyer is considered a thoughtful expert on health care and welfare issues by Republican colleagues. He’s now the top Republican on the Senate Health Committee.

Gombosky vs. Whitehall

Political beginners, Democrat Jeff Gombosky and Republican Ken Whitehall are competing for House seat Position 2, vacated this year by Dennis Dellwo.

The two candidates agree on many issues.

Gombosky, 25, is considered a potential star by some county Democrats thirsty for young talent. He beat two well-financed Democrats to get the party’s nomination.

The former debate champion emphasizes creating jobs and educational opportunities for constituents.

Whitehall, 24, entered the race on a crusade to crack down on crime. The Taco Bell shift manager’s fiancee, Felicia Reese, was murdered in late 1994 in Spokane.

Hill vs. Wood

The fight for House seat Position 1 is being slugged out by Democrat Alex Wood and Republican Brendon Hill.

Wood, the former KXLY “Talk-Back” radio host, says his voting habits in the Legislature would be similar to those of Lisa Brown.

Wood, 50, openly questions whether Hill, a wine steward at Patsy Clark’s restaurant, has the qualifications to represent the district.

Hill, 28, retorts that he is better qualified than Wood, seeing as how he’s spent his life in Spokane, grew up on welfare, and is married with two kids.

Hill touts his experience working on Spokane’s Bloomsday and Hoopfest committees.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map: 3rd Legislative District

MEMO: See individual profiles by name of candidate