Washington Legislature, District 3, House Position 1

Stretching through much of central Spokane, this district tends to favor Democrats, but that hasn’t stopped Republicans from mounting active campaigns for the two House seats.

House Position 1: Although the district leans Democratic, it was a Republican who topped the August primary for the seat that will soon be vacated by retiring state Rep. Alex Wood, D-Spokane.

Republican Dave White beat three other candidates with 31.6 percent of the vote. He faces Democrat Andy Billig, who finished a close second with 30.9 percent. Both are native New Yorkers.

Despite his primary win, White doesn’t have an easy path to victory in November. The third- and fourth-place finishers were Democrats, and one, Louise Chadez, has endorsed Billig. The other, Spokane City Councilman Bob Apple, isn’t weighing in.

Billig has amassed $114,000 for his campaign, including maximum donations from Avista and the Service Employees International Union’s political action committee. White has raised less than $5,000, but $3,000 of that is a loan from himself, and he has won the endorsement of the county Republican Party, signing the party’s platform and no-tax pledge.

• Andy Billig, 42

Democrat

Bio: Born in New York; moved to Spokane in 1992. Divorced. One daughter. Bachelor’s in government from Georgetown University. President of Spokane Indians Baseball Team, where he has worked for 18 years. Member of city’s Human Services Advisory Board and Mayor Mary Verner’s Citizens Financial Advisory Committee. Website: www.andybillig.com.

Issues: Won’t rule out tax increases to help balance budget, but says they should be “last choice.” Supports legalization of marijuana for adults 21 and over. Opposes Attorney General Rob McKenna’s challenge of the federal health care law. Supports state’s domestic partner law but says state should allow gay marriage.

• David White, 58

Republican

Bio: Born in New York; has lived in Spokane area off and on since 1967. Married. No children. Associate degree from Spokane Community College. Sewer inspector for Spokane County utilities department since 1999. Formerly an inspector for Spokane County engineering department, starting in 1991. Served in U.S. Navy in 1972 and 1973. Website: www.votedavewhite.com.

Issues: Supports legalization of marijuana. Says a tax on marijuana is the only tax he would consider to help balance budget. Supports McKenna’s challenge of the federal health care law. Supports state’s domestic partner law but opposes gay marriage.