The Spokane GOP is deeply divided on whether the party is more unified than ever

Party leadership went to war with their own candidates — and set the stage for future conflicts.

By: Daniel Walters

Outlets: RANGE Media

Published: August 26, 2026

Words: 1,514

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

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Read about RANGE’s experience covering the conference — which had a mandatory $100 entrance fee for journalists — here.

On the dais of the Spokane Valley City Council, Al Merkel — brash and boisterous — is something of a pariah. He’s been sued for defying records laws, investigated for disrespectful behavior toward city staff and called an “asshole” at a meeting by a fellow councilmember.

But at …

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