College Try The Whitehall Brothers Give Politics A Shot

Name the brothers who, at a young age, followed in their father’s footsteps to enter politics and champion such causes as the war against poverty and providing an education to all.

Then tragedy struck early in their careers when a loved one died at the hands of a murderer, capturing national attention.

John and Bobby Kennedy? Winthrop and Nelson Rockefeller? Jeb and George Bush?

Not even close. It’s Ken and Bill Whitehall, Spokane’s answer to Camelot.

“They say we’re the return of the Kennedys,” says Ken Whitehall, a fast-talking, beefy young Republican who this year reigns as president of the Spokane Community College Associated Student Council.

Brother Bill, a long-haired rhythm guitarist with the band Turnbull Slew, is vice president of the 9,000-member student body. Classes start Thursday.

The Whitehalls mark the first time brothers have run student government for Spokane County’s largest college, says Bob Vervaeke, community college associate dean of student-funded programs.

But it’s not the first time a Whitehall has been in charge. The brothers’ father, Bill Whitehall Sr., held the post two consecutive years, 1981-83.

“I trust their (the Whitehalls’) judgment,” Vervaeke says. “They’re two solid kids.”

The Whitehall administration is a far reach from the White House, and the brothers weren’t born into a family that plays touch football at Hyannis Port.

The boys once gave away their Christmas gifts to a poor family, and Ken, like the fictional character Forrest Gump, outgrew a set of ugly leg braces to walk and run on his own.

“They’ve always been interested in trying to change things,” says Sharon Whitehall, a single mother who raised the boys. “They had a meager upbringing, but were always bringing in homeless friends.”

Ken, 25, and Bill, who turns 24 on Monday, still live with their mother on pennies. Bill drives a ‘69 Pontiac Lemans; Ken runs an ‘83 Honda Accord he bought for $500. For fun, the brothers lift weights at Gold’s Gym, where Bill says, “the girls are bigger than I am.”

The brothers will earn about $1,000 per quarter as student body officers and gain valuable experience for future careers in law and politics. Ken wants to attend Gonzaga University Law School; Bill likes the University of California, Berkeley.

Currently, Ken is a baker at Schlotzky’s Deli. Bill is a line cook for Tony Roma’s restaurant.

Yet at SCC, the cooking Whitehalls will run one of the most important student governments in Spokane, managing $300,000 in student fees.

Elected last April, Ken and Bill promise to invest thousands into renovating the campus cafeteria, improving handicap access and lobbying state legislators for greater funding of community college programs, especially for single parents.

The promises follow a tradition of student officers at the school taking on huge projects such as erecting a $900,000 student fitness center and doubling the campus day care from 60 to 136 children.

“We’ve got a huge budget, and it’s amazing they allow students to decide how it’s managed,” giggles Ken Whitehall, rubbing together his ripped, black basketball shoes.

Politics is a new venture for Bill, who for years helped street kids at the Upper Room on North Monroe.

“A lot of people nowadays don’t understand the importance of government, that one person can make a difference,” Bill says while lighting a cigarette at the campus volleyball pit. “We’re here for the students.”

Ken has been involved in politics since 1994, when he and his fiancee, Felicia Reese, asked Republican leader Duane Sommers how they could get involved. Sommers nominated Whitehall as a precinct committee officer, and the young man got his first taste of power.

But it wasn’t Sommers who put Whitehall’s name in the news. It was Reese.

While attending a Christian conference in downtown Spokane, Reese was abducted and murdered by Kevin and Jerry Boot in late 1994. Prosecutors said Reese was clutching her Bible when her assailants shot her and dumped her body along Upriver Drive.

The killing shocked Spokane. Four days later, before a huge crowd of mourners, Whitehall sobbed the memorable words “Don’t forget Felicia.”

From there, Whitehall took to politics naturally. Within three weeks, at age 22, he was testifying for a crime bill before a House committee in Olympia. During the next year, he spoke before dozens of groups.

Simultaneously, he gained name recognition. The Spokesman-Review has cited him in news stories more than 30 times.

In 1996, Republican leaders asked Whitehall to run for an open legislative seat in Spokane’s 3rd District. He lost to Democratic newcomer Jeff Gombosky.

“My heart has always been for politics,” Whitehall says. “If people wait for somebody else to do it, it’ll never get done.”

Whitehall’s experience as a crime victim received national attention Monday when he appeared with Jerry Boot’s mother on the Maury Povich Show in New York City. During a video tribute to Reese, Whitehall cried.

Once a Bible student and youth pastor, Whitehall follows a moderate path in student government.

“I’m always a middle-of-the-road type of guy,” he says.

Whitehall is past treasurer of the Student Awareness League, which passes out condoms on Valentine’s Day and supports gay rights. A sign stating “Rush is a double espresso” appears in his office.

“He (Ken) really does take our philosophy into office with him,” says Angela Wizner, league founder and speech-communication instructor. “He’s 100 percent behind everything we’ve done.”

And like a good Kennedy, Whitehall isn’t afraid to mix politics and romance. He’s currently dating Tracie Struble, student vice president of legislation and an advocate for single moms.

“With Bill and I here,” Ken says, “people will look at the Community College and realize that students aren’t just whining or too busy to make a difference.”

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