The Whitworthian: A Look at Kevin Parker
Kevin Parker: From Academic Probation to a Potential Seat in the State Legislature
October 21, 2008
With a clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other, ‘96 alumnus Kevin Parker has been campaigning around the clock. He has gone door to door, talking with countless Spokane residents, crossing off lists of the thousands of homes he’s visited.
Parker is running for the Washington State House of Representatives for the 6th District of Spokane. Parker (R) faces off against incumbent Don Barlow (D) for the district in November.
The precinct stretches from the South Hill area downtown to North Spokane past Whitworth University.
Parker’s three main issues he’s campaigning for are equal accessibility of education, lowering taxes on families and businesses and receiving more resources from the State Transportation Funding for Spokane.
Ballots were mailed out Oct. 15 to 17 for the Spokane November General Elections. Ballots for the 6th Legislative District were mailed Oct. 16., and all ballots need to be postmarked no later than Nov. 4.
Street politics: from one door to another
Knocking on over an unprecedented 20,000 homes, Parker has led an aggressive campaign strategy by making a point to lead a bottom-up style campaign.
“Kevin has raised the statewide bar for door-to-door knocking,” said Spencer Hutchins, campaign manager and recent Gonzaga University graduate.
It’s a number Barlow and many past candidates have not been able to meet, Hutchins said.
Parker has been door knocking non-stop for the past seven and a half months, only missing five days out of those months. He started this overall campaign over a year ago.
Most people only see the glamorous side of politics that’s shown on TV or written in the media, Parker said. But the majority of politics is doing grassroots work and is centered around people, he said.
A typical work day this time of year for Parker lasts 12 to 16 hours, seven days a week. Hours have especially increased since ballots dropped last week. But Parker doesn’t seem to mind.
Since starting with a mere $100 when he began his campaign in 2007, Parker’s campaign managed to raise $177,797 as of Oct. 16, an amount that has surpassed incumbent Barlow’s, according to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission.
“We’re one of the leading state leg fundraising campaigns in the state,” Parker said in an e-mail.
The amount of money the campaign has been able to raise is in part from the attention the campaign received from their grassroots approach, Parker said.
There is a reason why Parker has been putting so many hours in as elections near.
For those following the state politics, the 6th District in Washington State is one to look out for for. The district broke political history in the past several years.
The district held a long standing of Republican House dominance leading all the way back to 1938, until Barlow broke the streak two years ago, according to the Spokesman-Review.
Parker is one of several state republicans who could reclaim two of the House seats, according to politickerwa.com.
Despite the long hours he has been working going from home to home, Parker has experienced many powerful stories out of the thousands of people he has interacted with on their front porch.
“The human condition is touching and compelling,” Parker said. “I’ve left doorsteps in tears or being thankful for meeting and listening to people’s stories.”
During his campaign trail, Parker came across people in the working poor and people in jeopardy of losing their homes.
The powerful aspect of our grassroots campaign is that when someone opens their door, you see a glimpse of their life, he said.
“One individual in the town of Mead said that no candidate has [ever shown] up on his doorstep in the 21 years he has lived there,” Parker said in an e-mail.
The run for the 6th District is his first attempt to run for Congress, but Parker comes with experience across the board.
A diverse belt of experience
Parker serves for a score of nonprofit businesses. He sits as a YMCA and Boys & Girls Club Board Member and committee member to several other organizations.
Parker also worked on staff and volunteered for U.S. representatives in the past. He served in the Bend, Ore. city budget committee, was appointed for the Commission of Children and Families and was county director for a U.S. Presidential campaign.
Parker is the President of GTG Ventures, which owns the Dutch Brothers Coffee Franchise in Spokane. Prior to the coffee franchise, he owned a financial services firm and before being a business owner, Parker served as the area director for Young Life in Colorado for five years and also was involved in real estate in his 20s.
After graduating Whitworth with a B.S. in Political Science, he later earned an M.B.A. at George Fox University. Parker eventually went to Harvard, where he received a certificate of 21st Century Leadership from the John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Leadership Program.
Originally from Salem, Ore., Parker first sparked interested in public service after talking with then Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt, one of his friends’ fathers.
Parker said he decided to run for the 2008 legislature two years ago after some political leaders asked to consider it as a possibility several years ago.
However, Parker hasn’t always done so well.
The transformation
Parker stood at a 1.5 GPA at the beginning of his senior year of high school.
“I was a party kid,” Parker said.
It wasn’t until Parker became a Christian at a Young Life camp later his senior year in high school that he said his path changed. Parker turned things around by the end of high school, earning a 3.8 GPA for his senior year.
When looking at colleges, Young Life leader and Whitworth alumnus Trey Malicoat told him about Whitworth, which Parker later applied to.
Because of a low cumulative GPA, Parker was reluctantly accepted by Whitworth. Not only was Parker the last student to be accepted for the academic year, but he also entered his freshman year at Whitworth on academic probation.
During college, Parker said he fell in love with academics, especially the Classical literature.
Communication Studies professor Ron Pyle first met Parker at Camp Spalding shortly before the start of his freshman year, where other students on academic probation gathered.
“He is a great example of the kind of transformation that can happen at Whitworth,” Pyle said. “[Aside from his academic transformation], I also saw him grow as a person, relationally and spiritually.”
By his senior year, Parker ended up as a student assistant in the President’s/Development Office, assisting Bill Robinson and others.
Dale Soden, then executive assistant to the president, met Parker in a class he taught. They still keep in contact today.
“I think it’s always great to watch one of your students enter into politics; it’s a tough world out there and takes a tremendous amount of courage to run for public office,” Soden said in an e-mail. “He genuinely cares about the community in which he lives. He is articulate and passionate – two important qualities for any leader.”
Parker said Whitworth taught him the idea of servant leadership illustrated by Jesus. The love of Jesus equals love for people, he said.
Yong Kim
Todhunter: Parker Exceeds Expectations
Parker Exceeds Expectations
October 26, 2008
I have lived in Spokane almost all my life and have never known a more energetic and committed candidate for any office than Kevin Parker. He is running for the state Legislature, and I know he will provide us the best kind of representation in Olympia.
I believe in Kevin Parker because he stands for us on the issues that matter. As he states in his television ad, a new state income tax is simply not an option for Kevin. He wants to lower taxes and decrease government regulation so our economy can grow and flourish. And he will fight to fund education first and keep lawmakers’ focus on the fundamentals of education above everything else.
As a mother and a grandmother, I trust Kevin at his word. I know he has the future of my family and all the families of Spokane at heart. Kevin is smart, passionate, honest and, most of all, he is right! As you mark your ballots, I hope you will join me in supporting Kevin Parker. We need Kevin in Olympia!
Mollie Todhunter
Spokane
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/opinion/letter.asp?ID=19241
Muller: Parker Fights Heavy Tax Burden
Parker Fights Heavy Tax Burden
October 21, 2008
It isn’t often that a candidate comes around for state representative who not only has the right answers but also the kind of passion it takes to get the job done. Kevin Parker is that candidate, and I am glad to have the opportunity to support him.
We’ve all felt the changes in our economy – from higher gas prices to mortgage troubles to increased food and living costs. That is why I am baffled, especially as a person who watches Spokane’s business climate, when the governor and state Legislature talk of a new state income tax. Out-of-control spending has landed us with a projected $3.2 billion deficit, and they think the citizens should have to pay it off with more taxes.
Kevin Parker says no. It’s time for us to tell Olympia we don’t need another tax, we don’t need a heavier burden. It’s time for us to tell Olympia to balance its budget the same way we all do. Kevin Parker will fight for us and work hard to keep the government off our backs. I encourage everyone to support this great candidate.
Neil A. Muller
Spokane
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/opinion/letter.asp?ID=19155
Yake: Parker in Touch with Neighbors
Parker in Touch with Neighbors
October 19, 2008
Recently, (Republic challenger for the 6th District) Kevin Parker met with a group of neighbors in his legislative district. He introduced his family, discussed his history and outlined some of the policies he would like to implement. In addition to focusing on education, he emphasized controlled government spending and a more business-friendly bureaucracy. I came away impressed with his goals and enthusiasm. Parker will have my vote in November.
Tom Yake
Spokane
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/opinion/letter.asp?ID=19133
Hassett: Parker Energizes Young Voters
Parker Energizes Young Voters
October 17, 2008
The 2008 election is predicted to bring out record numbers of young voters, but Barack Obama is not the only person on the ballot who energizes young adults like me. One of our local candidates for the state House of Representatives, Kevin Parker, is also worthy of praise.
Kevin is a person who is open to talking to you, getting to know you and listening to what you think. His constituents truly matter to him. As a Gonzaga student, I have been very impressed by his willingness to share his time by coming to campus, meeting with students and doing the same at colleges like Whitworth. One thing I learned about Kevin is that he is fundamentally interested in reaching out to young people to help them get involved in their community, which his history in Young Life demonstrates. What better testimony for commitment to our community than a proven record of service?
Voters must make up their own minds, but I can speak for young people across this community by saying that Kevin Parker is exciting, engaging and has inspired us to enjoy participating in the electoral process. He is just what Washington state needs in Olympia. Vote Kevin Parker!
Maria A. Hassett
Spokane
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/opinion/letter.asp?ID=19107
Davis: Parker’s Credentials Extensive
Parker’s Credentials Extensive
October 16, 2008
Mark Patrick’s Oct. 10 letter on Kevin Parker’s view on business compels this 87-year-old World War II sailor to encourage voters to consider Parker when voting for state representative, 6th District. Kevin’s record on community service, GSI Armed Services Committee, National Federation of Independent Business, to name just a few regarding public service, are worth adding to Mr. Patrick’s fine summary.
Floyd Davis
Spokane
Patrick: Parker Understands Business
Parker Understands Business
October 10, 2008
In an era of uncertain times the character of our leadership is critical. Policies are important, but depth of character is paramount to withstand the overwhelming burdens our leaders will face in the financial turmoil sure to come over the next several years. It is with this in mind that I heartily endorse Kevin Parker for representative of the 6th District.
Fiscal responsibility is vital given the current crisis. Kevin will fight against a new state income tax, which is a key difference from his opponent. Most of us in Spokane are tied to small business, and Kevin knows what is right for small business. His coffee business has created over 20 new jobs in Spokane, and he will work diligently to keep our tax burden low.
As for character, Kevin has worked endlessly to support those in need throughout his various careers. I cannot imagine having someone more caring in a leadership role for all of Washington. We need to invest wisely and Kevin has proven he will provide critical fiscal and emotional support where needed. Please consider your vote wisely, and please consider supporting Kevin Parker for District 6 representative.
Mark Patrick
Spokane
Newbold: Parker an Enemy of Income Tax
Parker an Enemy of Income Tax
October 14, 2008
I am pleased to write in support of Kevin Parker’s candidacy for state representative from the 6th Legislative District. Kevin is a small business owner and understands what it takes to meet a payroll and provide for employees and their families. He is adamantly opposed to the implementation of a state income tax. At a time of economic uncertainty, we definitely don’t want our state Legislature implementing additional taxes that will be a burden to working families.
We need more legislators who understand the need to provide proper incentives so that our state can prosper and provide jobs for our citizens. Increasing taxes and/or implementing new taxes is not the way to ensure the prosperity of our state going forward. I am pleased to support Kevin Parker for state representative and hope that you will support him as well.
Mark Newbold
Spokane
Kerns: Parker Hears Tax Concerns
Parker Hears Tax Concerns
October 12, 2008
With Washington state facing a $3.2 billion deficit, due to extremely high spending habits, the Democrats in Olympia are trying to push a state income tax on the citizens of Washington. The 6th Legislative District needs to elect Kevin Parker as state representative to fight for the families of our state. Kevin has made it clear that he will fight against a new state income tax because it will make life too hard for far too many.
Kevin has knocked on over 18,000 doors and has heard the message loud and clear: “taxes are too high.” The families of Washington are forced to live within a budget and the government should be too.
I am proud to support Kevin Parker for state representative and I encourage all Spokane voters to do the same.
Josh D. Kerns
Mead
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/opinion/letter.asp?ID=19030
Thomas: Parker’s Qualifications Stand Out
Parker’s Qualifications Stand Out
October 11, 2008
Kevin Parker is running for the state representative, 6th District (R) position in Spokane. Having known Kevin since his college days at Whitworth University, we can speak to the many outstanding qualities that he will bring to this position.
Early on, he demonstrated strong leadership skills, academic excellence and an ability to meet a challenge with hard work and perseverance. More importantly, he continued developing his many skills beyond graduation through graduate study and a strong entrepreneurial spirit in business and economics. He began his own business at 26, became a successful real-estate investor and currently is president of GTG Ventures in Spokane. He understands budgets and economics – a real necessity in government management. In addition he has served extensively in the private, public and nonprofit sectors and has volunteered for many local political campaigns.
Kevin brings much more to this position as well. His integrity, ethical standards, charisma, enthusiasm and compassion coupled with his dynamic leadership ability will serve the 6th District well in Olympia. We strongly endorse Kevin as our next 6th District representative and encourage you to cast your vote for him.
Rick and Diane Thomas
Spokane
