“Spokane is a city of incredible potential. We deserve leadership that listens, leads with compassion, and fights for a future that works for all of us.”
Alejandro Barrientos for a better Spokane.
For the past 10 years, I’ve focused on building my career and raising my kids. Like many, I trusted that our elected officials were working in our best interest; however, I’ve come to realize that in some cases, that hasn’t been true.
I’m stepping up to run for City Council because I want a better future for my kids—and for every family in this city.
This campaign isn’t about politics—it’s about people. And I’m ready to get to work for you and with you to move Spokane forward.
Meet Alejandro.
“I’m not a career politician—I’m a parent, a neighbor, and someone who believes in hard work, accountability, and community-driven leadership.”
— Alejandro Barrientos
Alejandro Barrientos is familiar with hard work.
His first jobs were in the service industry, bussing tables, working in the kitchen, and waiting on guests. He also spent summers working in a salmon fishing operation. All of these experiences taught Alejandro to roll up his sleeves, put in the hard work and persevere at an early age, and it’s the attitude he brings to everything he does.
Born in Miami, Alejandro now lives on the South Hill with his two kids and their French Bulldog, Kobe. A dad and the COO of SCAFCO as well as the purchasing director for Stone Group of Companies, Alejandro knows firsthand the pressure that parents and businesses in Spokane deal with every day.
Alejandro’s dedication to hard work has deepened his passion for serving his community. His focus on personal growth and accountability fuels his drive to create meaningful change in Spokane.
Alejandro is committed to delivering real, lasting change in public safety, particularly in Spokane’s downtown core and low-income neighborhoods, which are being hit hardest by the ongoing crises of public drug use and encampment.
Why I’m Running
Spokane is home. It’s where I’m raising my two young children on the South Hill, the city I chose after living in countries around the world. I first came here for Gonzaga University, and like so many others, I stayed because I simply fell in love with this place.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be here. Spokane is a community rich with good people, strong values, and immense potential. I'm running for City Council because I want to ensure Spokane becomes the very best version of itself; to make it for every family what it has been for mine: a place of opportunity, safety, dignity, and shared prosperity.
My focus is on the essential work of local government: improving housing access, enhancing public safety, expanding vital services, and ensuring our neighborhoods truly work for everyone. I'm eager to partner with Mayor Lisa Brown, my fellow councilmembers, and leaders across our region to tackle these challenges together.
Housing Spokane Families Can Afford
Spokane’s housing shortage is one of the most urgent issues we face, and a clear area where our local government can make a real difference. We don't need to reinvent the wheel; we need practical solutions:
Streamline permitting and approvals to build more homes quickly and affordably.
Support diverse housing options like starter homes, infill projects, and senior-friendly developments, ensuring they fit the unique character of our neighborhoods.
Use city-owned land wisely, collaborating with local builders, non-profits, and public agencies to create attainable housing where it’s most needed.
Prioritize affordability and access, not just new construction, so more working families can afford to stay in Spokane.
Affordable housing is also one of our most powerful tools for preventing homelessness, especially for those facing rising rents, job loss, or personal hardship. However, we must acknowledge that not all homelessness is economic; different challenges require tailored solutions.
Homelessness: A Public Health Crisis Demanding Real Action
We see two distinct types of homelessness in Spokane:
Economic homelessness, often stemming from job loss or high housing costs, which we can address with affordable housing, rent support, and job opportunities.
Chronic, on-street homelessness, frequently driven by untreated addiction, mental illness, and trauma; a humanitarian crisis that deeply impacts our public spaces, economy, and sense of safety.
It’s heartbreaking that Spokane has one of the highest overdose death rates in the country. Babies are being born in withdrawal due to prenatal drug exposure. People are dying in tents and on sidewalks; not for lack of compassion, but for a lack of coordinated, effective action.
We can do better. We need:
Service-first enforcement, where every interaction becomes a pathway to detox, shelter, mental health care, or long-term recovery.
On-demand access to services, so help is available the moment someone is ready, not weeks later.
Well-maintained, safe public spaces, ensuring our parks, sidewalks, and downtown remain welcoming for everyone.
Investments in programs that deliver clear results, moving people from crisis to stability and ensuring public funds make the biggest difference.
Spokane voters were clear when 75% supported Proposition 1: they want a city that is safe, compassionate, and effective. We can achieve all three by focusing on outcomes, not ideology.
Public Safety: Enforcement That Connects, Not Punishes
Every parent wants to know their kids are safe. Every business owner deserves to open their doors without fear. And every neighbor should feel secure in their own community.
That’s why I support:
Smart, consistent enforcement of laws that keep our neighborhoods safe and livable.
Co-responder and outreach teams, pairing law enforcement with mental health and addiction specialists.
Enforcement as a gateway to services, not just tickets or jail. When someone is struggling, contact with public safety should be a moment for real help.
Modern tools and coordination for first responders, allowing them to deploy quickly and effectively when needed.
Cities up and down the West Coast, from Portland to Seattle, are successfully re-integrating enforcement and services to break cycles of crisis. Spokane can lead the way here too. Public safety is fundamental not only to law and order, but to recovery, compassion, and opportunity.
Collaborative Government That Delivers
The challenges facing Spokane don't stop at our city limits. Homelessness, mental health, housing, and emergency services all require strong partnerships: with the county, state, neighboring cities, non-profits, and the private sector.
I will champion:
A collaborative, regional approach, especially for addiction, behavioral health, and shelter coordination.
Smart resource-sharing to lower costs and improve service delivery across jurisdictions.
A commitment to teamwork – not just across governments, but across party lines and community divides.
A tone of respect, professionalism, and partnership, ensuring Spokane is always a good neighbor and a good leader.
When we collaborate, we eliminate duplication, share expertise, and build lasting solutions. I look forward to working closely with Mayor Brown and our regional partners to restore that spirit of cooperation.
Contact Alejandro.
Interested in contacting or helping the campaign? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!