Meet Chris Savage: The City Council Candidate Focused on Fixing Downtown Spokane
Running against an incumbent, Savage says Spokane can’t afford to get this election wrong.
(Disclaimer: One of our team members has previously worked with the Chris Savage campaign. We are committed to presenting this article fairly and factually.)
Who is Chris Savage and How Will He Combat the Safety Concerns and Affordability Issues Plaguing Downtown Spokane?
On Tuesday, May 6, Christopher Savage sat down with us for an extensive interview about his run for city council. During the interview, Mr. Savage answered a variety of questions that gave us insight into who he is as a person, his concerns for the city, and his plans should he be elected to city council.
Mr. Savage moved to Spokane when he was a toddler and has spent his entire life here. As a teenager, he ran cross country—running from the lower South Hill to Five Mile—which gave him an early, firsthand connection to the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Unsure of his future in his early twenties, he spent time educating
himself on the Founding Fathers and American civics. He worked various jobs during that period, delivering for Domino’s and working at Poole’s Public House, among other delivery positions.
Chris Savage is running for City Council in District 3, with the primary election scheduled for August. He said he has several reasons for running, the primary one being that "we need change." He stated that he is tired of seeing the city go from bad to worse and ultimately wants to fix it. Chris’s father once told him that every citizen should run for office at least once. Mr. Savage has already followed that advice—this is his fourth run for city council, having lost in three previous attempts. When asked what’s different this time, he responded, “This time I’m not doing it all by myself,” expressing the challenges he faced previously as his own campaign manager. He now has the support needed to better engage with voters by doorbelling and interacting with the public. As of May 6, he had already surpassed his past fundraising records.
Qualifications
What makes Savage qualified for the position of city councilmember? When asked, he replied, “It may be a low bar, but I’m a local. I know this city like the back of my hand from my cross-country days.” His previous experience as president of Meals on Wheels (2022–2024) and his role as vice chairman of the Salary Review Commission make a stronger case for his potential effectiveness in office.
He learned a lot about logistics and long-term planning during his time with Meals on Wheels, increasing the number of meals provided from approximately 600 to 800. In addition to logistics, he gained financial knowledge while serving on the Salary Review Commission, overseeing the salaries of the Mayor, City Council President, and council members. Savage claims that city council members are currently compensated more than they should be.
Platform: Safety and Affordability
The top issues Mr. Savage aims to tackle are affordability and public safety in downtown Spokane. He has witnessed changes over the years in both the safety and image of the downtown core. He believes that fewer people are willing to visit downtown, and that means less money is being spent there.
Chris attributes many of these problems to a lack of laws—or enforcement thereof—to address public camping, blocked walkways, and interference with public access. Property crime has also risen substantially. According to Savage, 30% of buildings downtown are vacant, and new businesses are reluctant to move in. Meanwhile, some existing businesses are leaving, worsening the financial situation.
Savage plans to address public safety concerns by enforcing existing laws, proposing new measures, and reforming outdated ones. To combat the affordability crisis, he wants to utilize a tool called The Comprehensive Plan. While it may potentially conflict with state and county laws, the plan would expand City of Spokane Development boundaries to allow for more building, increasing housing inventory and helping to drive down costs. “It’s not the silver bullet we’re looking for, but it’s a good step in the right direction,” he said.
Christopher Savage is currently running against incumbent Zack Zappone and reports that his campaign is going well, having already begun doorbelling.
His closing message to potential voters is that this is a crucial election that will determine much about Spokane’s future. “It will cost you a lot of money if you do not pick the right candidate, and I am the right candidate. I have your pocketbook in mind because I’m just like you—hurting right now because of what’s going on in our city. And we need to change that.”
-Written by Ryan Gaylee