Newcomer Plans Run For Council Seat

Calling himself a “people’s candidate,” a political newcomer recently announced plans to run for the Spokane City Council.

North Side resident Steve Thompson, 39, will run this fall for the council. He hasn’t decided whether he’ll go after the seat left vacant by Joel Crosby’s departure or take on Councilman Orville Barnes.

“When I say I’m the people’s candidate, I’m talking about how an issue effects everyone, including the youth and the unborn,” Thompson said. “Do my decisions serve all the people of Spokane?”

His political baptism took place while gathering signatures to put the Pacific Science Center to a public vote, he said. Many signers grumbled about their taxes and other issues, but felt there wasn’t much they could do about their concerns.

“Citizens have lost interest, lost faith in government,” he said. “They don’t think they have a chance at City Hall.”

The Bakersfield, Calif., native is a manager for RCW Sound & Communications, a Spokane telecommunications business. He moved to Redmond, Wash., from San Francisco with his wife and daughter in 1988. Two years later, the family moved to Spokane.

His short time here can only be an asset, Thompson said.

“I think part of the problem with the political system is the professional politicians who’ve been involved so long,” he said.

, DataTimes