The OUTSpoken Boyz Talks to Mayor David Condon of Spokane and Brady Walkinshaw 43rd Legislative District in Seattle

The QueerCentric

The OUTSpoken Boyz Talk with Mayor Condon

David A. Condon is the 44th Mayor of the City of Spokane. Born in February 1974, the same year that Spokane was preparing to shine on the world stage at the Expo ’74 World’s Fair, David grew up watching the fireworks off Cliff Drive on the 4th of July, helping his mom at the House of Charity, and spending Friday nights in the fall at Joe Albi Stadium watching high school football games.

It was the Spokane that David grew up in, a place that was safe for families, fertile for businesses, and naturally stunning, that gave him a passion for this City. The youngest of ten children of Dr. John and Mrs. Carolu Condon, he was raised with a mind toward small business and service. After graduating from Gonzaga Prep School in 1992, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Military Science from Boston College.

His career has spanned everything from starting four of his own coffee shops during his college years in Boston, to managing a dental practice in Spokane, to working as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Eastern Washington’s U.S. Congresswoman, Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Additionally, David served in the 25th Infantry Division over in Schofield Barrack, Hi, the 62nd Medical Brigade at Fort Lewis, WA, and 396th Combat Support Hospital at Mann Reserve Center, located in Spokane’s historic Hillyard neighborhood.
David’s passion for Spokane, coupled with his belief that it can be a model city for other municipalities, led to an ambitious plan that has focused on five key areas for Spokane including: Restoring public trust in law enforcement and enhancing community safety; creating an atmosphere to attract and retain jobs; promoting long-term fiscal health without undue burden on citizens; maintaining critical public infrastructure at an affordable price; and engaging citizens and improving the quality and character of our community.

David and his wife Kristin are raising their three children in the Comstock neighborhood, not far from where David grew up. He is most passionate about Spokane, and making sure that this great City remains a place that his own children will want to stay and raise a family.

Brady Walkinshaw 43rd Legislative District in Seattle
Raised in a rural community in the Nooksack Valley in northeast Whatcom County, Brady grew up around many of the challenges and opportunities we face today. Brady’s mom, Vicky, teaches English Language Learners in Nooksack Valley Schools – the same schools where Brady graduated. She came to the United States from Cuba with her parents, who put their three kids through college working their way up from washing dishes to becoming successful restaurant owners. On his dad’s side, Brady is a fifth generation Washingtonian. His dad, Charlie, is an agricultural educator and was born and raised in the 43rd Legislative District.

After graduating high school, Brady attended Princeton University on a scholarship where he studied public policy. On graduating, he went on to study as a Fulbright Scholar in Honduras. In Honduras, Brady founded Proyecto Villa Nueva, a non-profit that works to foster youth leadership and prevent violence in urban slums. In 2011, the Organization of American States recognized the program for its contributions to building a culture of peace.

Through his career, Brady has focused on promoting economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and human rights. Brady worked as a Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supporting sustainable and productive food systems for the poor in developing countries. He spent time in Washington, D.C. working on interfaith dialogue for environmental and social justice with Georgetown University and the World Bank.

At home, Brady serves as the Chair of the Trust for Public Land’s Washington State Advisory Board and on the board of Intiman Theatre. As a legislator, Brady is committed to putting his values into practice through policies that support economic opportunity for all, preserve our environment for the future, and invest in the education system we need for our kids to succeed from pre-K thru college.

Brady lives on Capitol Hill with his partner Micah Horwith, a Seattle native and a marine biologist with the State’s Department of Natural Resources.

Learn More about Brady www.bradywalkinshaw.com