SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Mayor David Condon kicked off his re-election campaign Thursday.
If he wins, he would be the first mayor to get re-elected since the 1970s. Some have called this a curse.
Condon was sworn into office at the end of 2011. He said he has delivered on the promises he made when he ran for mayor.
He said in his first term he wanted the city to make a settlement with the family of Otto Zehm, who died after a fight with Spokane Police officers in 2006.
The mayor also wanted to improve the credibility of the police department and make utility rates more affordable. He said he has come through on all of those promises.
Mayor David Rodgers was the last mayor to be re-elected. He first came into office in 1967 and served until 1978. Since then, there have only been one term mayors.
"A lot of great people have sought re-election but I think with the engagement, with the accomplishment, with the promises that I came into office with and delivering on those promises," said Condon.
The last person to serve as Spokane's mayor, Mary Verner, thought she would break the curse of the one term candidates when she announced her re-election.
"I'm not intimidated by that old history, I know Spokane is willing to embrace a good strong mayor for the future of Spokane for a second term," said Verner.
Voters only gave her term and elected Condon to replace her. Continuing a trend that makes Spokane stand out compared to other cities across the country.
One expert said in the past mayors have not connected with enough voters to break the curse. He said Mayor Condon may be able to change that but it is too early to tell.
"It would appear to me that at this point Mayor Condon has a fair shot at re-election but I thought that about previous mayors," said political science professor Michael Treleaven.
No other candidate has come forward to challenge Condon and unseat him from office. He thinks his record has kept others from running against him.
Candidates have to file with the elections office in May in order to end up on the ballot. A lack of competition might be the key to keeping Condon in office and breaking the curse.
