Former Spokane Mayor Woodward says city violated her free speech, interfered with election

SPOKANE, Wash - Former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward has filed a claim with the City of Spokane, demanding damages over what she calls a violation of her free speech and an attempt to keep her from getting re-elected.

The claim is related to Woodward’s appearance at a religious rally last August, which featured controversial figures like former state senator Matt Shea.

Woodward, who is also a former anchor at 4 News Now, filed the claim with the city on Thursday afternoon.

She says “a four member [sic] majority of the Spokane City Council, in violation of the state and federal constitution, ‘condemned’ speech by Woodward which speech is protected by the state and federal constitutions. The City Council did so with the intent of interfering with the then-upcoming mayoral election and promoting the candidacy of Woodward’s opponent.”

The claim names council members Betsy Wilkerson and Zack Zappone, along with Lori Kinnear and Karen Stratton, who served on the council at the time.

In the claim, she lists “entire city Attorney’s office, most citizens of Spokane.”

She says the condemnation caused “loss of mayoral salary, health and retirement benefits, and pain and suffering from reputational harm.”

Woodward notes that she would be willing to settle the matter for $1,400,000.

Woodward joined Shea on stage at a rally headlined by Sean Feucht, who is defined by Right Wing Watch as a “Christian nationalist.”

Shea was accused by lawmakers of engaging in domestic terrorism while serving in the Washington legislature and was removed from leadership positions.

The rally happened as wildfires raged in Spokane County.

Woodward joined the group on stage and prayed along with them.

She was immediately criticized, including by her opponent in the mayor’s race, current Mayor Lisa Brown.

Brown said on Twitter that night, “The Mayor should be disavowing Matt Shea, the anti-woman, anti-LGBTQ extremist, associated with political violence. Instead, she is on stage with him while fires rage in our county.”

Woodward herself disavowed Shea the next day, but also criticized Brown’s response, saying Brown was politicizing an event where people gathered to pray for first responders and fire victims.

A month after the event, the Spokane City Council voted 4-3 to denounce Woodward for appearing at the event.

A resolution said, “The people of Spokane deserve leadership that upholds the highest standards of integrity, empathy and respect for all, regardless of their background or beliefs.”

Brown beat Woodward in the election by 3,000 votes.

We reached out to the City of Spokane for comment.

Director of Communications and Marketing Erin Hut confirmed that the city’s legal team received the claim Thursday, is currently reviewing it, and will process it as they would any other claim.

Council Member Zack Zappone sent a statement to 4 News Now. It reads:

"The Council’s decision to denounce former Mayor Woodward by resolution in September 2023 was within its legal authority, warranted as a matter of policy, and completely constitutional. Council Member Zappone strongly denies the claims and allegations in Former Mayor Woodward's claim for damages, just like Sean Feucht's complaint, and is confident the legal process will reject them, too."

Feucht also filed a lawsuit against the same city council members and the City of Spokane.

He says the council violated his beliefs, worship, speech and prayer.

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