Bloglander

Downtown business owner John Waite has announced that he will be making another bid for Spokane City Council, challenging incumbent Michael Allen who currently holds the District 2 seat.

Waite, the owner of geek haven Merlyn’s comic books and games store, has made three unsuccessful runs for the city’s legislative body. His most recent attempt was in District 1, and he’s also run in District 3. Following redistricting in 2013, his residence now falls in District 2.

Waite has served on the Downtown Business Improvement District board, the Spokane Regional Cable Advisory Board and is the current Democratic precinct committee officer for the party’s downtown precinct.

If successful in ousting the conservative-leaning Allen, Waite would bolster the council’s liberal majority to 6-1 (although Waite has stressed non-partisanship in previous campaigns.)

According to a statement, Waite will prioritize enhancing job opportunities in Spokane, strengthening public safety and improving mental health services. In the past he has sought to reform the city’s finances. Coverage of an event during his last campaign went viral when Waite dawned a 100-pound costume of a character from the StarCraft video game.