BOISE, Idaho — Just seven years after arriving in Boise as a refugee from Ethiopia, a Boise man is making a run at city government.
Tecle Gebremicheal announced his candidacy for Boise City Council on Wednesday, saying he'll run for one of several open seats in the November 2019 election.
In a news release, Gebremicheal describes himself as a working-class millennial, West Boisean, and a new American. He added that he is eager to offer "many underrepresented perspectives" on the City Council.
“I came here with very little, and was able to set goals and work towards them," he said in a statement. "I will always be grateful for that opportunity. Boise has been so good to me, and I’m ready to give back in a new capacity.
“As a young working person and student, as a New American, as a person who lives in and commutes from West Boise every day: I have perspectives and insights that would be valuable at City Hall,” he added.
According to the announcement, Gebremicheal came to Boise from Ethiopia in 2012 with nothing but two pairs of shoes - one for running and one for soccer - to his name. Since then, he has worked multiple jobs, earned a GED and expects to soon graduate with a political science degree from Boise State University.
Gebremicheal also serves as a petroleum supply specialist in the US Army Reserves, and recently purchased a home in West Boise.
Three Boise City Council seats will be on the ballot November 5. Gebremicheal has not yet decided which seat he will run for, but said he'll make that decision before the August filing deadline.
He is planning to formally launch his campaign at 6 p.m. on June 13 at DeMeyer Park.