Nathan Tupper is a political science major at the University of Idaho whose ambition knows no bounds.
Tupper is running for Moscow City Council while attending University of Idaho part time.
Tupper is not the only UI alum that is running for city council. Sandra Kelly, the Volunteer and Leadership Programs Coordinator for the Department of Student Involvement at UI is running for re-election this November.
The Moscow City Council election started on Aug. 28 and will end on Nov. 7.
Tupper grew up near Meridian, Idaho. Before settling down in Moscow, he became a Sergeant in the Idaho National Guard. Tupper moved to Moscow five years ago and began pursuing a college education.
Tupper said the reason he started to campaign for Moscow City Council was because he fell in love with Moscow.
“I came from around Boise, but when I spent more time here, I really started to feel a connection to this city,” Tupper said.
Tupper is hoping to bring more housing development to Moscow.
“Currently, Moscow grows 1.5%-2.5% every year, but the rate that we are building homes does not accommodate the people coming in,” Tupper said.
He believes that matching housing development with population growth can help mitigate renting and housing costs.
While being enrolled at the University and running for city council, Tupper believes that his status as a student will help him make better decisions regarding other students in Moscow.
“There are some people on the city council right now that don’t exactly understand the mindset of a college student, and I would love to offer the city that mindset,” Tupper said.
Tupper also commented on the significance of the student population of Moscow, stating that Moscow’s operations are almost completely reliant on the student population that comes to UI every year. Tupper is hoping for younger voters to turn out this election season. He has been meeting with ASUI and discussing ways to get younger people more involved in local politics.
“People should, no matter where they are at, care about their local level politics more than the national level. There’s more that affects you and your immediate community in local politics, rather than what’s happening in DC,” Tupper said.
Tupper plans on staying in Moscow for a long time and is greatly invested in its future and growth.
“I love Moscow, and I want to do everything I can for Moscow,” Tupper said.
More information about Nathan Tupper can be found here.
Ben DeWitt can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @BenDeWitt321