Two self-styled Democrats vying for an open City Council seat representing the city's south side may talk politics the same, but their backers and proposed policy solutions to major issues like homelessness in Spokane couldn't be more different.

The District 2 race is technically nonpartisan, but the district swings left, and both candidates are selling themselves to voters as Democrats to secure election.

While former prosecutor Kate Telis has cornered the endorsement of Spokane's Democratic institutions, her opponent Alejandro Barrientos' support comes from the city's conservative business class, including his boss, prominent Republican donor Larry Stone.

Telis says the conservative donor network funding Barrientos' campaign is simple proof that he's not the Democrat he says he is.

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