Spokane County Commissioners to interview potential Mielke replacements Monday

Spokane County Commissioners will interview three hopefuls to succeed Todd Mielke in public hearings on Monday morning.

Former Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, seasoned campaigner and legislative aide Josh Kerns and former state Sen. Jeff Baxter, all Republicans, will each have an hour to answer questions from commissioners Al French and Shelly O’Quinn. The interviews begin at 8 a.m. in the hearing room on the lower floor of the county’s Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway Ave.

Following the interviews, French and O’Quinn will have until April 1 to name Mielke’s successor. State law grants commissioners 60 days to make a decision, and Mielke left the county Feb. 1 to head Greater Spokane, Inc. If French and O’Quinn can’t reach an agreement, Gov. Jay Inslee would select their new colleague from the three finalists for the job.

The Spokane County Republican Party earlier this month selected McLaughlin their top pick. She served with French on the Spokane City Council in the late 2000s. Kerns has earned the backing of several conservative state legislators, including Reps. Matt Shea and Jeff Holy. Baxter was nominated for the commissioner seat by Spokane City Councilman Mike Fagan and former Spokane Valley City Councilwoman Brenda Grassel.