Bailey Stober hopes his third race might finally get him a seat on the Kent City Council.
Stober, who lost council races against Ken Sharp in 2013 and against Deborah Ranniger in 2011, announced plans this week to run for Ranniger’s position. Ranniger said this week she will not seek a fourth term after 12 years on the council.
“Over the past two years I’ve talked to seniors, young folks, families and business owners and one thing is clear: they are ready for a fresh perspective on the Kent City Council,” Stober said in an email seeking support for his campaign. “It is with my vision, drive and love for our city that I announce my candidacy to serve you on the Kent City Council.”
Candidates must file by mid-May with King County Elections if they plan to run for office.
Sharp defeated Stober by 272 votes. Sharp won despite his arrest and charges for stealing more than $470,000 from his 93-year-old mother’s bank accounts. Sharp resigned after two weeks in office last year. He was sentenced last month to 43 months in prison. He pleaded guilty in June to seven counts of first-degree theft and one count of mortgage fraud.
“We came 272 votes short of electing one of the youngest elected officials in the state and one of the youngest bi-racial elected officials in the United States,” said Stober, who will turn 24 in July.
Stober, who lives on the East Hill, said he would reach out to regional and state partners to improve Kent.
“It’s clear that we can’t fully fund or fix the issues that impact us everyday – like traffic, parks and infrastructure, and public safety – without being engaged with our regional and legislative partners,” he said. “I’ll make sure we’re not just at the table, but leading the discussions that impact our quality of life.
“I have a proven record of bringing folks together from opposing views to deliver results. It is why I have received early endorsements from over 40 elected officials from around the region.”
Stober, who works as a communications and marketing consultant for several small businesses and a political client, said he will focus on getting more funds for the police department and mitigating financial losses at the city-owned ShoWare Center. He also wants the council to once again hold town hall community meetings to better engage with residents.
His list of community service activities includes volunteering with Communities in Schools of Kent, volunteering with One Night Count of homeless, serving meals at homeless feeds, serving as president-elect of the West Hill neighborhood council and was a board member with the Kiwanis Club of Kent.
For more information, go to BaileyForKent.com.
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