Hansen Reflects on Brief Stint on Chewelah City Council

In his letter of resignation, he stated, “It’s my understanding that the state statute indicates that I would continue to serve in the seat until the next election. I appreciate the trust placed in me this past year and the opportunity to serve our community. However, after careful consideration, I have decided to step down from this seat.”

Hansen elaborated, “I was originally appointed to the council rather than elected. While I was grateful to receive support from voters in the recent election, I did not receive enough votes to feel I have a clear mandate to serve as their representative. Respecting the will of the voters is essential to me, and the community should have the opportunity to voice who represents them.”

While recognizing that he is entitled to the seat under the Revised Code of Washington, he maintained, “If there is something I really feel strongly about, it is elections and people having the right to choose their representatives. I don't believe the percentage of votes I received in the election gives me a mandate to continue representing the community due to a technicality.” 

Hansen added that his family is also facing new, significant health concerns, clarifying, “I do not want to continue in a role where I may be distracted or unable to give the full focus and dedication the position requires. Chewelah deserves council members who can be fully present and engaged.”

Discussing the highlights of his time on the council, Hansen said, “Working with my fellow council people. They really do care about the community. They had the best interests of Chewelah in their heart.”

He shared that, within the role, he learned a lot and made a point to come prepared to each meeting, having a full understanding of the motions proposed and topics discussed. “I also ran a write-in campaign during the time. I enjoyed my time in the role and engaging with residents about the community,” Hansen said.

Appointed in July 2025 to fill Traci Ling’s vacated seat, Hansen said his motivation to serve stemmed from witnessing tension build between the previous mayor and the council. “I did not like the discourse that was occurring publicly. I wanted to bring a voice more focused on economic development to the council and also a younger perspective,” Hansen stated.

During his career as a journalist, Hansen admitted he has covered many stories on city councils and county governments, adding, “It has been a valuable learning experience working on the other side. While I was on council briefly, it really showed me that serving on local government is very important, and one has to approach it seriously, no matter how small the issue. Why? Because out of all government contact, your local government affects people's day-to-day lives the most.”  

As far as the challenges encountered, Hansen stated, “Chewelah has to work against several economic headwinds. Some of these challenges are specific to Chewelah, or to rural communities as a whole.” He cited the aging demographic, lack of housing and a lack of career-minded jobs in town as a few. “The arts/recreation/community event groups have been carrying the water for Chewelah for some time now. For young families, however, it’s a bit tough making headway in the town,” he said.

Hansen said he grew up in Chewelah, graduating from Jenkins High School in 2003. He attended college at Eastern Washington University and then embarked on a journalism career that took him to Montana, western Washington, and back to Chewelah in 2016.

Moving forward, Hansen said he plans to focus on family and continuing to provide for them. He honored his wife, Morgan, remarking, “She has been extremely successful and brave in her ventures in both business and career. Our two boys, Henry and Teddy, are rambunctious little redheads, so trying to keep up with them will also be a full-time job.”  

When asked if he had any advice for anyone considering serving on the council, he commented, “I think some people get into this thinking they're going to do ‘this, this and this.’ In reality, a city council member isn't someone who calls the shots; they are there to serve the community. For a small town, a lot of this is not headline-grabbing, interesting stuff; it's things like fuel rates at the airport, budget lines, and listening to community members about speed bumps and campground fees.” 

When reporting on elections, Hansen said he’s witnessed some candidates feel they are going to bring in a national political agenda, or do “great things and then quickly find that is not what the elected position does.” 

He added, “I beg anyone running in our local elections to actually understand what the governing body does before running in the seat.” 

Hansen wished the best to the new council members and new mayor, Lindsay Baxter, stating, “I think it will be a fairly harmonious council moving forward. Lindsay has impressed me with his passion for the community and his willingness to listen to diverse viewpoints.”