SPOKANE, Wash. — Former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward filed a claim for damages with the City Attorney Thursday stating the majority of the city council violated her free speech and interfered with the election.
In the claim, obtained by KREM 2 News through a public records request, Woodward said, “A four member majority of the Spokane City council, in violation of the state and federal constitutions, 'condemned' speech by Woodward which speech is protected by the state and federal constitutions. The City Council did so with the intent of interfering with the then-upcoming mayoral election and promoting the candidacy of Woodward's opponent.”
Woodward names Betsy Wilkerson, Zack Zappone, Lori Kinnear and Karen Stratton as individuals involved in the incident.
Woodward’s claim is looking for loss of mayoral salary, health and retirement benefits and pain and suffering from reputational harm.
When asked for who has more information on the claim, Woodward wrote, “Entire City Attorney’s Office and most citizens of Spokane.”
The controversy stemmed from video of Woodward appearing at Let Us Worship, a prayer rally with Christian nationalism connotations, on Aug. 20, 2023. Woodward joined Matt Shea on stage for prayer. Shea is a former Washington state representative who was expelled from the State Republican Caucus after an independent investigation found he committed acts of domestic terrorism. Shea founded On Fire Ministries, a religious group criticized for extremism.
The council formally denounced Woodward in a meeting in September 2023.