Lynnwood Councilman Martin Nelson is being challenged by Mark Smith and Craig Spicer, two political newcomers who want to bring fresh blood to the council. The three will face off during the Sept. 20 Primary, but only two will advance to the General Election.
Smith, a Lynnwood native and Lynnwood High School graduate, returned to his hometown last year. He has never run for a public office although he has campaigned for other candidates.
“It is time for a change on the city council,” Smith said. “We need new energy. We need new vision. We need people on the city council who are actually raising their kids in the city and bringing that commitment to families living here in the city.”
Smith, 43, is a member of Lynnwood’s Neighborhood and Diversity Commission, which formed early this year.
He taught English and American Studies in Japan for about 10 years. He also owned and operated an adventure travel company for several years. He is taking time off from his travel business to focus on his city council campaign.
Smith received a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Washington in 1986. He also earned a teaching certificate in English as a second language.
Smith and his wife, Miho, are raising two children, Raymond, 3, and Hannah, 5.
Spicer, a self-employed paint contractor for about 22 years, moved to Lynnwood in 1985. He was born in Spokane and raised in Idaho. He wants to bring new energy to the council.
“Making sure our community is able to provide the basic services and take care of the neighborhoods is paramount,” said Spicer. ” I love the city of Lynnwood.”
In 2001, Spicer ran for Lynnwood City Council against Ruth Ross and lost. He chaired the Meadowdale Neighborhood Association between 2000 and 2003, which attracted a road improvement project along 176th Street between Highway 99 and Olympic View Drive.
Spicer has been active in political committees, including Washington Conservation PAC, a group to promote conservative ideas in politics, and Quality of Life Council, a group that promotes small businesses in politics.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education from Boise State University.
Spicer and his wife, Susan, are raising two children. He also is a part-time caretaker at the Community Bible Fellowship in Lynnwood.
Incumbent Nelson, 70, is seeking a second term with the Lynnwood city council. In 1997, Nelson retired from civil engineering and moved to Lynnwood. He has the time and experience to serve the city, he said.
“I have learned a lot during my first three and half years on the city council,” Nelson said. “I hope to put those lessons learned to the benefit of the community for my second term. I feel I will be substantially more efficient.”
Born in Anaconda, Mont., Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Montana State College.
He volunteers with Lynnwood Citizens Patrol. He is a member of Lynnwood Rotary and the American Arbitration Association.
Nelson and his wife, Charlotte, have five grown children and four grandchildren.
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