Veteran faces newcomer for Everett council

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.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.