Tacoma and Pierce County are home to a burgeoning class of young professionals and grassroots community leaders - and voters have not hesitated to elect them to public office. Just a few weeks ago Anders Ibsen, 25, and Ryan Mello, 32, were both elected to the Tacoma City Council (Mello had been previously appointed). Erik Hanberg was also elected to the Metro Park Board (after also having been previously appointed). Notably in 2006, voters of the 26th Legislative District (the Gig Harbor area) elected then 32 year-old Derek Kilmer to represent them in the State Senate.

In 2012 at least one millennial will seek public office, as Tacoma's David Sawyer recently announced his intention to run for the unexpectedly-open seat representing the 29th Legislative District (South Tacoma, Parkland, much of Spanaway) in the State House of Representatives - a seat being vacated by Democrat Connie Ladenburg, who's pursuing a seat on the Pierce County Council.

Sawyer, a lifelong resident of Pierce County, is currently a law student and vice president of Ladenburg Law: Governmental Affairs, and boasts a long resume of grassroots organizing.

We recently sat down with Sawyer for a few introductory questions.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Fill us in on your past experience in politics.

DAVID SAWYER: After college I started as an intern for the American Political Science Association and for Senator Cantwell in Washington, D.C. I worked on a couple of Congressional campaigns as a field organizer (political-speak for community organizer) and later as a field director. I was one of the first 25 or so organizers on the ground for President Obama when he first announced his campaign in Iowa. I worked on a governor's race and managed a statewide attorney general campaign and I am currently vice president of Ladenburg Law: Governmental Affairs - we mostly handle mediations and represent non-profits.

VOLCANO: Wow! Obama in Iowa, that's major! What did you learn in Iowa that you can carry into your campaign in the 29th LD?

SAWYER: That is a big question - because we knew that if Obama won Iowa, he would most likely be the president of the United States and we would make history. There was immense pressure, but Obama had tremendous faith in our organizational potential because he too was a community organizer and believed in the power of people and, ultimately, he believed in us. We all felt that we were in the middle of history. I suppose the lesson I took away from that experience is that as an organizer, or as a candidate, you are only as successful as the volunteers who believe in the cause: Respect them. Empower them. Include them.

I also learned the power of grassroots, door-to-door campaigning. Not only does it allow you to understand what is going on in your community, but you will hear stories that will stay with you your whole life and serve as the best education you will ever have. Folks sometimes get wrapped up in talk radio and cable news, and forget about the real human implications of political decisions. However, it is pretty hard to forget when someone breaks down in front of you and tells you about losing their family home because of a preexisting medical condition their insurance company wouldn't cover or their lack of health care coverage during a crisis. There are many stories I will never forget, and I expect there will be plenty more on this campaign.

VOLCANO: What issues will you be talking about on the campaign trail - and what are your hoping to champion in Olympia?

SAWYER: Clearly, putting people back to work has to be the top priority. I take issue with the fact that it is the youngest generation paying the cost in cuts to higher education. We are affected the most by unemployment and school loans. I believe our generation is the most productive worker that the world has ever seen. We are tech savvy and work more quickly because of technology. We care about the future of this planet and protecting its environment and are willing to help innovate and create the green jobs of the future. The world is changing quickly. America has always been the envy of the world because of our ability to innovate and lead the world, and we must put faith in incubating small business and allowing new ideas and enterprise to grow. We must invest in our future.

At the law firm I work at, we have been dealing with a few illegal foreclosures. One of the biggest reasons we are in this financial disaster is because of bad mortgage loans. It is just unconscionable that banks are throwing the same people who were exploited into signing bad loans out of their homes with accelerated and illegal timelines. It is utter incompetence, and needs to hit the big banks where it hurts, their wallet. South Tacoma and Parkland are getting hit hard by this kind of practice and I have a hard time finding someone who doesn't know somebody affected by foreclosures.  

Of course, our ability to spur job growth and get the economy moving again depends on fixing a regressive tax system. Most states are not having the same problems we are this late into the recovery. We need a fair tax system that makes sure everybody pays their fair share.

VOLCANO: What community causes and organizations have you been involved with in Tacoma?

SAWYER: I was on the board of a United Way sponsored program called Project: U, which is a program aimed at increasing volunteerism in the community with 20- to 40-year-old young professionals. I was a big brother with Big Brother Big Sisters, and although my little is no longer in the program we continue to be friends. I also have done a couple Habitat for Humanity builds in Guatemala, though I suppose that is just a little outside Tacoma.

VOLCANO: Flash round: What is your favorite restaurant, park, small business and community organization in the 29th District? 

SAWYER: My favorite restaurant is V & V Pho: South Tacoma Way has been making some progress lately with other great places like Stonegate, but I absolutely love most any type of Asian food.

My favorite park is Wapato. But if the 29th goes south for redistricting my answer will have to be Spanaway Park.

May favorite small business is Parkland Putters. I have to admit that I still have trophies somewhere in the garage boxed away from making that 18th hole in one when I was a kid.

Community organization is Safe Streets. One of the special things about living in South Tacoma is the sense of community. Neighbors look out for each other and the kids in the neighborhood. Safe Streets has done a great job of bringing the community closer.