SNOHOMISH—Local business owner Aaron Hoffman has officially filed to challenge incumbent Linda Redmon as Mayor of Snohomish. Hoffman, though lacking in political experience, makes up for it with his background in economics – as CFO for Shelford Fisheries and Co-Owner of a small business.
Hoffman grew up in Lake Stevens, graduating from Lake Stevens High School before attending the University of Washington to receive a degree in economics. After college he married his high school sweetheart, Alyssa, and the two bought their first house in Marysville shortly after.
The couple relocated to Snohomish in 2020, enchanted by its charm and tight-knit community. The two have three children together: Ruby, 9, Marigold, 5, and Aksel, 3.
Hoffman told the Lynnwood Times that he got the idea to run for Mayor after many residents, and local businesses owners, encouraged him to do so. While the idea had been imparted in him several years ago, this upcoming election season was the first moment he felt he could while balancing a stable work-life family balance.
Hoffman began his career with Shelford Fisheries, a King Crab and Cod fishing industry, as a Financial Controller straight out of college – working his way up to CFO in 2019. He manages a team of 100 employees at its peak.
Separate to being a CFO for Shelford Fisheries, Hoffman and his wife own and operate Sprig Beauty Co. in downtown Snohomish, which specializes in organic beauty products and women’s clothing.
Hoffman’s priorities include fiscal responsibility, opposing the new $73 million Civic Campus project, believing that for a city of 10,000 people, with a budget of $1.6 million, the price tag is too steep.
The Civic Campus is a proposed new building in Snohomish’s downtown, on Third Street and Pine Avenue, which will serve as a consolidated facility for City Hall, the Snohomish Police, and Public Works. The city has already secured a successful grant from the Department of Commerce, and some federal dollars totaling $12 million. The City also has about $40 million in bond capacity.
Still, Hoffman believes the City’s dollars could be better spent on making Snohomish more accessible by adding sidewalks for Seniors, for example.
“When I started looking at other cities and what they were doing, even they weren’t spending that much on their civic centers and I thought that’s something I could help with, with my business background to save the taxpayers money,” said Hoffman.
Another issue Hoffman is focused on is First Street renovation – with increased pedestrian space and bike lanes, but Hoffman believes limiting parking space would hurt local businesses.
As far as public safety, Hoffman is a staunch supporter of local law enforcement and making the streets of Snohomish safer for pedestrians.
“Snohomish is at a crossroads where some people want to see the town stay exactly as it is, and others want to see it grow with lots of new housing and four-story-plus apartment complexes,” said Hoffman. “I think there’s somewhere between those two extremes where the town can really thrive especially if you allow businesses to thrive.”
Though Hoffman has no prior political experience and is running against incumbent Linda Redmond who currently serves as Mayor, and has served on City Council prior, he is confident he will excel in the position of Mayor, believing it’s an “administrative management role.”
“It’s your job to build the best team you can build to support the community and I really think fiscal responsibility is important when you’re spending taxpayers’ money,” said Hoffman. “Every decision you make you have to look at what does this actually bring back to the community, or what’s the return investment for the taxpayer. I’ve just seen some proposals and items the town faced where I don’t see the return for investors. I like to say the city doesn’t have money, they have your money.”
Hoffman has been embedded in his community for years. He is a member of Westgate Church in Edmonds and has volunteered as a P.E. coach.
When he’s not running a business, running for Mayor, or spending time with his family he loves to ski, workout, host a Men’s Club, through his church, and play hockey.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
