Ken Side

A candidate for Spokane City Council, northwest district, City of Spokane in the 2019 Washington Primary Election, Aug. 6

Party: No party

Age: 72

City: Spokane, WA

Occupation: Retired military and law enforcement.

His words: "I don’t care about me. I’m 67, I should be fishing. I’ve been a public servant all my life. I think the country’s in deep doo-doo." 

His pitch: Side calls himself a fiscal and social conservative, and expressed concern about national and local progressive policies including abortion and Spokane's non-biased policing ordinance, which he said made Spokane a "sanctuary city." He calls himself a "semi-prepper," raising chickens and rabbits on his property. He would support an expansion of community gardens if elected. Side said he agreed also with some green energy proposals from Democrats, but said the so-called "Green New Deal" was too ambitious.  

Education: Completed some coursework at Eastern Washington University. Earned an associate of science degree in police science at Spokane Community College. Graduated from Shadle Park High School. 

Political experience: Previous unsuccessful runs for a judge's seat in Lincoln County and for mayor of Cheney (1981). 

Work experience: Retired from the Army and Navy. Former detective with the City of Cheney and Pend Oreille County. Worked as a rural postal carrier. 

Family: Single. One adult daughter.

Neighborhood: Audobon-Downriver