Commissioner Amber Waldref running for Re-election
COMMISSIONER AMBER WALDREF ANNOUNCES HER RUN FOR RE-ELECTION
March 11, 2026
(Spokane, WA) - Spokane County Commissioner Amber Waldref is announcing her intention to run for re-election in 2026 for another four-year term, representing citizens in District #2 in East Spokane
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve our residents. I remain committed to creating an impact in my District and throughout the County through strong partnerships and regional cooperation. I’ve led initiatives to improve housing, reduce homelessness, and increase childcare, while ensuring our tax dollars are spent wisely on health and safety, so we can shape our community and our economy to work for all,“ Commissioner Waldref says.
“While I’ve worked hard to build a safer and healthier Spokane County where all families can thrive and where everyone can have a voice, we’re not quite there yet. I am committed to increasing housing affordability, to fixing our justice system, and increasing the investments we’ve made in opioid and mental health treatment and recovery. And I will continue pushing back on Federal policies that hurt members of our community, like unnecessary cuts to health care and food benefits.”
Waldref, a Spokane native, brings over 25 years of experience working with business and community organizations to build partnerships, solve challenges, and eliminate barriers. Since her election to the Board of County Commissioners, she has successfully brought regional governments together to sign a new agreement to reduce homelessness. She supported a regional agreement to save 911 services. She led efforts to protect public health funding and expand opioid treatment. Waldref is focused on safety for children and families, from prioritizing safe routes to school to ensuring children can be cared for while their parents attend court.
Waldref has secured early endorsements from fellow Commissioner Chris Jordan and Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson. Jordan says, “Commissioner Amber Waldref is the real deal! She’s an effective, down-to-earth leader who works hard every day to move Spokane County forward for all of us. She’s guided by a heart for building a safe, healthy community where working families can thrive. Commissioner Waldref is a fantastic partner for progress in Spokane County. I’m thrilled to support her re-election!"
Council President Wilkerson says voters should retain Waldref because, “She is a true partner who coordinates with community-based organizations and collaborates with other elected leaders to get things done. Waldref also shows up for families and speaks out for those most in need of support. That’s why I’m endorsing her re-election.”
Amber Waldref was born and raised in a hard-working family in Northeast Spokane. Her family's long road to the middle class shapes her belief that the economy should work not just for some, but for all families. “Your zip code should not limit the opportunity to reach your full potential,” Waldref says.
Waldref’s District #2 spans from north of Hillyard to the far south of Spokane in Moran Prairie. She grew up in the heart of the district, and served many of the precincts while twice-elected as a Spokane City Council Member from 2010-2018. Waldref graduated from Gonzaga Prep and Georgetown University. She is married to high school and collegiate science teacher, Tom Flanagan. They have two teen-aged daughters and are longtime residents of the Logan neighborhood.
Waldref has deep experience in the non-profit sector, advocating for clean up of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, building partnerships at The Lands Council to support clean water and healthy forests, and developing the capacity of The ZoNE at Northeast Community Center to remove barriers to economic opportunity for children and families.
During her eight years as a Spokane City Councilmember, Waldref led efforts to clean up the Spokane River, to improve streets and utilities, and to support small business growth and public safety through targeted investment. In 2016, Amber led the ballot campaign to increase Spokane Transit service and was instrumental in creating the new all-electric rapid transit City Line. Waldref is past chair of the Spokane Regional Health District Board and serves on the Boards of Priority Spokane and the University District Development Authority. She was appointed by former Gov. Inslee to serve on the Governor’s Council on Homelessness.
Paid for by People for Amber Waldref, PO Box 18393, Spokane, WA 509-655-0502 www.amberwaldref.com
