Spokane County Prosecutor Candidates Debate Justice

Two candidates for Spokane County prosecutor described sharply different approaches during an NAACP-sponsored forum at the Spokane Central Library. Republican incumbent Preston McCollam has been a Spokane deputy prosecutor since 2015. When Larry Haskell retired, McCollam moved into the county’s leading prosecutor role; that change occurred in September 2025. Independent challenger Danny Tarkenton spent six years in the Army National Guard and later worked briefly as a Spokane County deputy prosecutor before pursuing a master’s degree.

Asked how they would handle charges and plea agreements, McCollam emphasized standards established by state law. He said prosecutors should prioritize offenses according to their legal classifications, while giving particular attention to serious violence, repeated driving offenses and domestic violence. Charging referrals reach the office from agencies including Spokane Sheriff, Spokane Police and Liberty Lake. McCollam said the law also identifies circumstances in which prosecutors may decline a case or reduce the charges.

Tarkenton focused on prosecutorial discretion and safeguards against bias. He said the office should consider whether alleged conduct satisfies the elements of a crime, along with effects on the harmed person and the broader community. On disparities involving race and socioeconomic status, he proposed examining local information covering arrests, domestic violence, demographics and juvenile cases. He noted that misdemeanor recidivism data is not yet available and said developing it takes about three years. Tarkenton also favored withholding personal characteristics such as race, gender, sex and religion during an initial case assessment so prosecutors concentrate on the alleged behavior. Their answers showed voters two approaches to consistency and fairness: McCollam’s reliance on statutory priorities and Tarkenton’s emphasis on data, context and bias controls.