Maurer expands lead over Brandt for county judge

Attorney Aimee Maurer almost certainly will be Spokane County’s newest judge. Maurer expanded her lead over incumbent Spokane County District Court Judge Randy Brandt Friday for the third straight day. She now leads Brandt by more than 3,600 votes. She was leading by only 1,700 votes after Tuesday’s count. Although the Spokane County Elections Office has more than 13,000 ballots left to count, Brandt would need more than 60 percent of those votes, and since nearly a third of all county voters have opted not to make a choice in the race, there aren’t enough ballots left to count for Brandt to have a realistic chance for a comeback.