Sen. Andy Billig and Reps. Timm Ormsby and Marcus Riccelli today announced their selections to the Spokane County redistricting commission.
Spokane attorney and community advocate Natasha Hill and Brian McClatchey, Director of Policy and Government Relations for the Spokane City Council, will represent the Democratic side of the redistricting process. Hill and McClatchey, along with the two Republican appointees, will be tasked with splitting Spokane County into five regions ahead of the county’s district-based elections in 2022 when the Spokane County Commission expands from three commissioners to five.
“This is a new process for our county and extremely important for fair representation and a healthy democracy, which is why we needed talented people with Spokane roots to take it on,” Billig said. “Natasha and Brian will be exceptional in their ability to listen to community input as they do this historic work. Both are passionate about our region and dedicated to ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard. I could not be more pleased they’ve agreed to take this on.”
“To ensure people have a more direct voice in their government, which was the goal of moving to five county commissioners, it is critical the districts are drawn in a just and inclusive way,” Riccelli said. “Natasha and Brian are highly qualified and committed to a process that will ensure the people of Spokane County get a responsive and representative government, and one that is brought closer to the people.”
“I am confident that Spokane County will be very well-served by the experience Natasha and Brian bring to the process,” Ormsby said
Hill, 38, is the sole practitioner of Natasha L. Hill, P.S. where she practices civil litigation, business and entertainment law, copyrights and trademarks, employment discrimination, and family law. She grew up in Spokane’s Hillyard neighborhood and graduated from Rogers High School in 2000 and the University of Washington in 2003. She earned her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles in 2006. In addition to practicing law in Spokane, she is also an advocate for students, families, and fair housing, and was active in last summer’s Black Lives Matter protests.
“I am proud to have the opportunity to represent our County in this process,” Hill said. “I can’t think of a better way to serve my community and embrace the growth we’ve seen over the last decade. I am bringing a fresh, diverse perspective and look forward to creating more equitable representation for Spokane County.”
McClatchey, 49, is a Navy veteran, attorney, and current director of policy and government relations for the Spokane City Council. He has served in many different roles during his time in Spokane and elsewhere. He’s a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and formerly practiced law with K&L Gates in Spokane. He also served as the in-house attorney for the Coeur d’Alene Casino from 2007-2012. Prior to his current duties with the city, McClatchey was vice president of the city’s Plan Commission and chaired its subcommittee on transportation.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected for this historic process of improving the responsiveness and inclusiveness of our County Commission by bringing the candidates closer to the communities from which they are elected,” McClatchey said. “I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to produce a plan in which we can all have confidence.”
The appointments of Hill and McClatchey are the latest developments in a process that began in 2018. House Bill 2887, The Responsible Representation Act, sponsored by Rep. Riccelli, was passed that year to set up the redistricting process and expansion of the county commission to account for the county’s growing population.