Jim Compton

Jim Compton (April 2, 1941 – March 17, 2014) was a member of the Seattle City Council, first elected in 1999. He announced his resignation in December 2005 to teach at American University in Cairo as well as Romania.

Early life and education

Born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Compton earned his bachelor's degree in history at Reed College in 1964 and his master's degree at the Columbia University School of Journalism in 1969.

He was a Fulbright Scholar and studied in Romania between 1969 and 1970. His studies focused on Romanian political dissidents, Compton then went to Italy as an assistant managing editor for the Rome Daily American. He would interview significant world figures such as Anwar Sadat, Moammar Gadhafi, Orson Welles and Jimmy Carter. Compton would defeat Mason in the General Election 57% to 43%.

During his time in office, he chaired the Public Safety and Technology Committee, the Utilities & Technology Committee, the Energy & Environmental Policy Committee vice chair, and a Government Affairs & Labor Committee member.

In 2003, Compton ran for reelection and his primary challenger was former city council member and police Sergeant John E. Manning. In the general election, Compton defeated Manning 56% to 44%. In June 2003, James Bush, a reporter for the North Seattle Sun, reported city council members Judy Nicastro, Jim Compton and Heidi Wills received large amounts of campaign donations from the Colacurcio family and their business associates. On June 16, 2003, in a 5–4 vote, the council approved the parking zoning changes, allowing them to use their existing land for parking requested by the Colacurcios. Nicastro, Compton, and Wills would all vote in favor of the expansion.