(The Center Square) – Rallying behind a fellow conservative, former candidate Cody Arguelles is urging his corner to vote for Chris Savage, who knocked him out of the Spokane City Council race this month.
Arguelles, a U.S. veteran and Spokane business owner, filed to run for incumbent Councilmember Zack Zappone’s seat earlier this year. Washington state runs a primary election every August, with the two candidates who receive the most votes advancing to the November general election. Arguelles will not.
Zappone secured the most votes. Spokane County Elections certified the results on Aug. 19, at which point, the incumbent touted more than 51% of the total, or 8,129 votes. Savage advanced with him, eliminating Arguelles, who received only about 19% of the vote, while Savage brought in almost 29%.
Given the 3,359 vote margin between the candidates that advanced, Savage needs Arguelles’ support and then some if he hopes to flip Zappone’s seat this fall. The incumbent falls in line with the rest of the council’s progressive majority, but Savage aligns with two members in the conservative minority.
“Spokane deserves leaders who prioritize accountability, safety and business vitality. Chris Savage is that candidate,” Arguelles wrote in a news release on Friday. “I have experienced firsthand the impact of decisions made by the current council majority, and Spokane can’t afford four more years of [Zappone].”
Arguelles said Zappone’s votes to raise taxes and impose costly regulations on businesses have set the city back, along with his efforts to address homelessness and addiction, which some critics call enabling.
Zappone often faces backlash from business owners and conservatives as homelessness proliferates around town and fatal overdoses rise. The incumbent told The Center Square earlier this month that the city lacks sufficient treatment options and facilities for the more than 1,800 people on the streets.
Those on the progressive majority often frame their policies as striking a balance between compassion and enforcement. The conservatives say they want to uphold the rule of law and protect taxes flowing in from downtown. Both sides emphasize the need for more affordable housing, but differ in their approach.
“Everybody has to pay for that criminal activity with police response, code enforcement, cleaning it up and other things,” Zappone told The Center Square regarding his proposal that now allows the city to require vacant property owners to hire private security at their own expense. “It’s really not fair to all the taxpayers who are taking care of their properties and ensuring that there’s not criminal activity.”
Arguelles pointed to that ordinance, allegations that Zappone gerrymandered District 5, the ongoing mental health and housing crises, as well as back-to-back deficits as evidence for endorsing Savage.
Zappone is also facing an ethics investigation along with the rest of the council majority and Mayor Lisa Brown, due to a controversial vote to revive her proposed camping despite residents’ feedback.
Reporting by The Center Square uncovered text messages between Brown and the council that night, showing the mayor asking the council majority to call her before flipping their votes to bring it back.
Campaign funding will also play a role. As of Aug. 22, Zappone had raised about $45,500, and Savage trailed just behind at roughly $44,000. The incumbent has only spent approximately $14,400, while his opponent has already used up about $29,600. Arguelles raised $53,600, spending $27,700 of that.
“Savage shares my vision for Spokane, a city where families feel safe, businesses can thrive, and leaders are held accountable,” Arguelles wrote. “I am proud to support Chris, and I encourage every Spokane resident to join me in electing a council member who will prioritize our community over the status quo.”