SPOKANE, Wash. – Current Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart announced his plans to run for mayor in 2019 on Friday afternoon.
"I wake up every morning trying to make Spokane a better city," he said at his announcement. "Not a new Boise, not a new Portland or the next Seattle. Our city has too much history, too much grit and too much intestinal fortitude."
Stuckart spoke Monday about his belief that the city of Spokane needs more affordable and quality housing, how he wants more police on the streets and to sustain the city's current level of firefighters. He mentioned he would like to see college graduates "stick around for good jobs," and that he would like to tackle some of the property crime issues in the Lilac City.
Stuckart mentioned he believes current mayor, David Condon, has made positive steps for the progress of the community.
"I believe history will treat this administration well," he said. "I would like to build on our city's recent success but address its shortcomings."
He said he does not have a plan to re-brand himself as a mayoral candidate.
"It doesn't take thousand dollar suits and an army of Seattle consultants," he said. "I'm running for mayor as Ben, the guy who averages a parking ticket a week, the guy with a coffee tab at Atticus and a beer tab at Community Pint."
Stuckart was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 5th Congressional District in Eastern Washington, running against current Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers last year, but dropped out of the race in June.
Stuckart cited family health issues as his reason to drop out of the race. You can read his full statement on that here, but said Friday his family has given him the "thumbs up" to run for mayor.
"I know our city, I love our city and I know what we can do together," he said.
Current City of Spokane Mayor David Condon cannot run again. As he ends his second term late next year, he is prohibited by term limits from re-election, city officials confirmed Friday.