Impasse means Inslee will choose GOP county commissioner

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Republican Spokane County commissioners have voted to let the Democratic governor fill a vacant seat after they deadlocked.

The open seat belonged to Shelly O'Quinn, who resigned in July to lead a local nonprofit. Republican Party precinct committee officers in August nominated three people that the commissioners could pick to replace O'Quinn. The commissioners opted Tuesday to let Gov. Jay Inslee make the choice.

The Spokesman-Review reports that Inslee now has 30 days to choose from the same list of GOP nominees. Deputy communications director Tara Lee said the governor's office would gather feedback from county residents before making a decision.