Young Leader Hilda Thompson to Vie for LFP Council Seat

Hilda Thompson, a 22-year-old Lake Forest Park resident, hopes to be counted among the ranks of the youngest LFP Council members.

Thompson announced that she will run for Council Position No. 1 in the upcoming election. The office is currently held by Sandy Koppenol.

Thompson wrote in a press release:

“My generation has been called the best educated, most tech savvy, tolerant, environmentally-conscious, globally-aware, most community-involved and multi-trained generation. With more than 36% of Lake Forest Park’s people under the age of 35, I think many of us are willing to roll up our sleeves and get to work to bring our skills, new ideas and energy to the policy tables of our City. We grew up here and want to stay here – we just need to ensure that the basic services and quality of life we have come to expect continue in the years to come,” Hilda Thompson said.

Despite her young calendar age, Thompson is not new to public service. Born and raised in Lake Forest Park, she has served as a Community Services Commissioner for the City where she represented area youth in policy and program matters for city services including human services, budget, and parks and recreation perspectives.

Hilda was an intern with U.S. Senator Patty Murray in Washington, D.C., and returned to the state to work in Sen. Murray’s 2010 re-election campaign. After the Senator’s victory and while continuing her college education, Hilda took on her father’s mayoral campaign, working as campaign manager in a tightly contested race. A local swim champion for Sheridan Beach and member of the Holy Names Academy State Championship swim team, Hilda spent her free time organizing and running the “Save Darfur Club,” which helped raise substantial money to purchase solar products for Darfur refugees.

Thompson said she believes Lake Forest Park needs fresh ideas.

“The sad truth about Lake Forest Park right now is that we are losing ground both in the level of services we are providing and the price we are paying for these services “What concerns many of us is this community is slipping away from us; many of us who were raised here want to stay here. But for us to raise our families in this community, we need to see the city continue to grow into a dynamic, safe, environmentally vibrant community. Now is the time to get to work to build that future. ”

 “I want to re-energize this city I love, bring in more people to be involved and build commitment to moving further and faster to keep this a community where we want to raise our families,” she said. “Right now, I see us losing momentum … and I don’t want to wait 15 more years as things deteriorate before we get involved.”

 “We are the generation that is going to pick up the torch and carry on. Isn’t it reasonable that we be included in solutions that may improve our quality of living here?  I want to roll up my sleeves and get to work which is why I am officially announcing my candidacy today.”