{"id":31790,"date":"2026-05-05T11:53:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:53:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=31790"},"modified":"2026-05-05T11:53:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:53:23","slug":"former-spokane-mayor-seeks-10m-claims-censure-over-prayer-event-violated-her-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2026\/05\/former-spokane-mayor-seeks-10m-claims-censure-over-prayer-event-violated-her-rights","title":{"rendered":"Former Spokane Mayor Seeks $10M, Claims Censure Over Prayer Event Violated Her Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Jerry Lafty \/ commons.wikimedia.org | Inset: @kxly4news \/ X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A legal battle is unfolding in Spokane as former mayor Nadine Woodward seeks $10 million in damages, arguing the city unlawfully punished her for participating in a public prayer event. The case is drawing national attention as it raises questions about religious freedom, free speech, and the role of faith in public life.<\/p>\n

Woodward’s claim stems from a 2023 decision by the Spokane City Council to formally censure her after she attended a “Let Us Worship” event hosted by missionary activist Sean Feucht. During the gathering, she received a brief prayer from former Washington state legislator-turned-pastor Matt Shea. The moment sparked controversy, particularly because it followed remarks from Shea affirming Jesus Christ as the answer to cultural debates surrounding issues like marriage and gender identity.<\/p>\n

Initially, Woodward filed a tort claim<\/a> in 2024 seeking $1.4 million. However, her attorney, Mary Schultz, recently amended the claim to $10 million, citing what she described as “irreparable harm” to Woodward’s reputation and career. Woodward lost her re-election bid later that year and now works in real estate.<\/p>\n

At the heart of the claim is an allegation that the city violated Woodward’s First Amendment rights. Schultz argues the censure amounted to “unlawful government punishment” for attending a public event and engaging in protected speech. “No constitutional provision, nor law\u2026supports the use of legislative powers to compel orthodoxy in speech and association,” the claim states.<\/p>\n

The tort filing names both the city of Spokane and several city council members, asserting that the resolution continues to cause ongoing harm. Filing a tort claim is a required legal step before pursuing a lawsuit against a government entity.<\/p>\n

The controversy is layered. Shea remains a polarizing figure, having previously been removed from the state Republican caucus following an investigation related<\/a> to the 2016 Malheur Wildlife Refuge standoff. Woodward, for her part, publicly distanced herself from Shea after the event, stating she believed she was attending a prayer gathering for victims of local wildfires and was unaware he would be present.<\/p>\n

Still, many in Spokane’s Christian community defended her actions at the time. Local businessman and church deacon Lyle Dach spoke before the city council in opposition to the censure, describing the event as peaceful and prayerful. “I saw people ready to pray\u2026people who wanted answers for the many concerns they have today,” Dach said. He added that he heard a pastor urging believers to pray for leaders and communities in crisis.<\/p>\n

The situation highlights a broader tension many believers are watching closely: how expressions of faith intersect with public office. For some, Woodward’s case represents a defense of religious liberty. For others, it raises questions about political judgment and public accountability.<\/p>\n

As the legal process moves forward, the outcome could carry implications beyond Spokane, potentially shaping how elected officials engage with faith-based events in an increasingly divided cultural landscape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A legal battle is unfolding in Spokane as former mayor Nadine Woodward seeks $10 million in damages, arguing the city unlawfully punished her for participating in a public prayer event. The case is drawing national attention as it raises questions about religious freedom, free speech, and the role of faith in public life. Woodward’s claim…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":31793,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nFormer Spokane Mayor Seeks $10M, Claims Censure Over Prayer Event Violated Her Rights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Former Spokane mayor seeks $10M, claiming censure over prayer event violated her First Amendment rights and caused lasting harm.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2026\/05\/former-spokane-mayor-seeks-10m-claims-censure-over-prayer-event-violated-her-rights\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" 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