Allen not running for city council re-election

Councilman Mike Allen tells the Inlander that he will not seek reelection this fall.

Allen, often considered part of city council’s conservative minority, says that when he ran in 2011 he hoped to create an Office of the Police Ombudsman, find a permanent street-funding mechanism, restore Riverfront Park and other goals. He says that with those goals accomplished, he sees no reason to run.

Allen, who has a business background, considers himself more of a moderate than a conservative. 

“I’m always for balance,” he says.

Running for his seat is Lori Kinnear, legislative assistant for Councilwoman Amber Waldref, and downtown business owner John Waite. Both have left-leaning politics and if either of them prevail the council could have a 6-1 liberal majority.

Former Republican state Rep. John Ahern is also strongly considering running.

“I’m very dissatisfied with the city council,” he says. “It’s so left-leaning, I can’t believe it.”

If elected, Ahern says he would prioritize reversing an ordinance that prevent city workers from inquiring into people’s immigration status, which he says invites criminals and terrorist groups to Spokane. He also wants the city to put a moratorium on the growing, processing and selling of marijuana.

“What that council needs more than anything is adult supervision,” he says.