EVERETT — It’s race that’s generated more political cash for a council candidate than ever before in Everett’s history. Campaign signs dot the city from Legion Memorial Golf Course in the north to Silver Lake in the south.
Former Councilman David Simpson is vying against Shannon Affholter, a well-financed political newcomer, for the Everett City Council seat being vacated by council veteran Bob Overstreet, who is retiring after three decades in office.
Simpson, 51, touts his experience in the matchup, saying he maintains relationships in the state capital that he can leverage to help the city.
“I would bring to the council what will be needed,” Simpson said. “What’s going to be needed in the next four years is someone who is knowledgeable about the workings down in Olympia.”
Affholter, who has generated a record $42,175 in donations through Oct. 9, said he would bring a fresh perspective to the council.
“I really believe I bring in a new sense of leadership and energy to the city,” Affholter said.
They are aiming for Position 7, one of seven seats on the council. The position pays an annual salary of $24,000. The citywide election will be decided Nov. 6.
Affholter, 39, a pharmaceutical field representative, Everett Parks Board member and city block watch organizer, said that as a councilman, he would push to update the city’s traffic light system, support the creation of small neighborhood parks, campaign for a parks bond and work to attract more family-wage jobs.
Affholter and his wife, Shannon Lee, are raising two young children, a fact that he said makes him invested in the city’s future.
Affholter said his success with political donors reflects the public’s confidence in his vision and ability to lead. He’s raised more than four times what Simpson has raised: $42,175 compared with Simpson’s $10,346, according to records from the most recent filing with the state Public Disclosure Commission.
Affholter recently surpassed the record for most money raised for an Everett City Council election. The previous record was set by Brenda Stonecipher, who collected $34,000 for her bid in 2003, according to commission records.
Simpson served one term as an Everett councilman, from 1997 to 2001, before being unseated by current Councilman Mark Olson. He later was appointed as a Democrat to a 38th District House seat left open by Jean Berkey, who moved to the state Senate. He lost the seat in the next primary.
He is a service representative with Amtrak and a city planning commissioner and last year served on the Snohomish County Charter Review Commission.
If elected, Simpson, who served in the U.S. Navy for six years, said he would lobby the Navy to let the city house the Ohio-class submarine USS Henry M. Jackson in Everett when it is decommissioned. He said he also would immediately sit down with police officials to get a better grasp on how he could help improve public safety. He would also seek to be a liaison to the city’s Council of Neighborhoods, an umbrella board for the city’s 19 organized neighborhood associations.
In the August primary, Affholter finished first in a three-way race, with nearly 42 percent.
Simpson finished second with about 36 percent.
The third council candidate, teacher Jackie Minchew, has since thrown his support behind Simpson. Minchew says he worries that the money will influence Affholter’s decisions, especially because some comes from developers with projects before the council.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
