2023 Spokane mayoral election

The 2023 Spokane mayoral election was held on November 7, 2023, to elect the mayor of Spokane in the U.S. state of Washington. The election was officially nonpartisan. Incumbent Republican mayor Nadine Woodward, who ran for a second term, and former Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown advanced to the general election as the top two candidates in the top-two primary on August 1, 2023. On November 10, three days after the general election, Lisa Brown was declared the winner.

Primary election

Candidates

Declared

Tim Archer, former president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 29
Lisa Brown, former director of the Washington State Department of Commerce, former Majority Leader of the Washington Senate, and runner-up for WA-05 in 2018
Patrick McKann, yurt builder and former wildlife biologist
Kelly Stevens, pothole fixer
Nadine Woodward, incumbent mayor

Withdrawn

Deece Casillas, comedian
Keith Kleven
Jonathan Legault, commercial real estate appraiser

Declined

Breean Beggs, president of the Spokane City Council
Natasha Hill, attorney and runner-up for WA-05 in 2022
Ben Stuckart, former president of the Spokane City Council and runner-up for mayor in 2019
Amber Waldref, Spokane County commissioner
Vanessa Waldref, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Washington
Chud Wendle, businessman
Zack Zappone, city councilor

General election

Candidates

Lisa Brown, former director of the Washington State Department of Commerce, former Majority Leader of the Washington Senate, and runner-up for WA-05 in 2018
Nadine Woodward, incumbent mayor

Campaign

In August, Woodward appeared on stage at the same event as Matt Shea, a Republican former state legislator who was ousted from the party's caucus due to accusations that he belonged to a far-right militia group planning to overthrow the government. During his speech, Shea praised Woodward and endorsed her for re-election; when Woodward took the stage later, she thanked him for his support. This led the Spokane City Council to formally denounce Woodward. Woodward's campaign released a statement saying "I did not seek, nor do I accept any support from Matt Shea. I am opposed to his political views as they are a threat to our democracy, and I regret my public appearance with him."