By Polly Keary, Editor
The filing deadline for political campaigns is still months away, but Monroe Mayor Robert Zimmerman has his first opponent.
Last week, former city council member Geoffrey Thomas acknowledged that he would seek the position.
Fellow former city councilman Mitch Ruth announced Thomas' candidacy on a Monroe Facebook page.
Thomas ran in 2003 against Bryan Lipscy and won, serving on the council through the long negotiations over the North Kelsey property and during the housing boom.
He served for a little more than five years, until 2009, serving alongside Zimmerman when Zimmerman was still on the council.
He gave two reasons for his candidacy in a Facebook post.
"I am running to promote inclusiveness in Monroe's government - to have people on boards, commissions, etc. that represent the diverse views and experiences in our town," he wrote. "I am running to promote a 10-year comp plan update that reflects our diverse community's needs and encourages sustainable economic development that is good for bringing in family wage jobs, generating revenue into our region, and improving our quality of life."
His former opponent, Bryan Lipscy, offered complimentary comments.
"I am sure that I will disagree with Geoffrey on many topics," he stated. "But he will do so respectfully, honestly, and openly."
Currently he is a senior legislative analyst at the Snohomish County Council Office. He has a background in development, working as a project manager for a land developer and as an environmental planner. He was also a planning commissioner for the city of Olympia from 1997 to 1999.
He holds a bachelor of science degree in environmental policy, analysis and planning.
Thomas is also deeply religious and speaks some Russian and Spanish. His wife Lara is also an experienced planner.
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