Follow the money

A recent Spokesman article, “Realtors are buying a voice in Spokane primary elections,” (July 21) detailed the landslide of money coming into Spokane elections from the Washington Realtor’s political group (Realtors’ Political Action Committee). It is essential to understand the profound impact this predominantly West Side money will have on our city.

A review of public records shows: over 75% of political donations to RPAC come from Western Washington donors, and over 75% of funds spent on 2019 political races in our entire state were being directed to Spokane mayoral candidates Woodward, City Council president candidate Wendle, and City Council candidates Rathbun and Cathcart.

RPAC’s chair states they “have never done anything at this level” in a local primary election. But this money could be dwarfed by what is spent on the general election, with RPAC’s cash on hand close to $1 million.

The RPAC development goals for Spokane closely mirror those expressed by the endorsed candidates: greater tax incentives for large housing developments; Spokane city helping pay for developments outside the city limits.

We all agree that affordable housing is a critical in Spokane, but we the people of Spokane should be deciding how to solve these problems. A tsunami of West Side money paying for TV ads, mailers, and online marketing to buy our elections corrodes the concept of a democratic election.

Cynthia Hamilton

Spokane