SULTAN:
Political landscape won’t change much

by POLLY KEARY, EDITOR

Three council members who had considered not seeking re-election went ahead and signed up for another term each, and since none have opponents, Sultan’s council will change little through this election season.

Kristina Blair, her husband Steve Slawson, and long-time council member Ron Wiediger all decided to file for re-election this year.

As recently appointed council member Jeffrey Beeler has also filed to keep his seat, and since no one has opposed him, that means the only change on the council Sultan residents are likely to see is the switch from Bruce Champeaux to political newcomer Samuel Pinson.

Running unopposed for Champeaux’s seat, Samuel James Pinson, Sr., 30, was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma and raised in southern California. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1997. After serving a two year, proselytizing mission in Russia for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he began studying computer science at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While there he met and married his wife, Sara, in 2001.

Pinson graduated in 2003 with a B.S. and a M.S. in 2005. Sara graduated with a B.A. in music in 2004. They have four young children: Olivia, Sam Jr., Emily, and Kevin. In 2005, Sam accepted his current position as a developer at Microsoft and moved to Sultan. In 2006, he was elected to the board of the Eagle Ridge of Sultan home owners’ association. He has also taught an early morning scripture study class to high school students for the past four years.

“I love our country and the principles upon which it was founded,” he said. “I believe in limited and local government, in individual liberty and personal responsibility. I believe the family is the fabric of society. I believe in the rule of law. I’m running for a position on the Sultan City Council to uphold these principles.”

He is prepared to sacrifice a lot of time and energy for the role of council member, he said.

“Making the decision to run was not easy,” he said. “Public service will be demanding in terms of time and energy on both me and my family. On the other hand, I have a strong sense of civic duty. I have always been passionate about politics. This election comes at a time when I feel life’s circumstances would allow me to make a meaningful contribution on the Sultan City Council.”

Back to main page