Vancouver City Council incumbent Erik Paulsen faces a political newcomer on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Paulsen, 56, served eight years on the Vancouver Planning Commission and six years on the city council. He’s a lifelong Vancouver resident with a professional background in financial services and a master’s of business administration degree from Washington State University.

His challenger, Derek Thompson, 74, is a retired hairstylist and cosmetology instructor who founded Hands of Favor , a faith-based nonprofit that brings cosmetology services to marginalized community members. A married father and grandfather, Thompson has lived in Vancouver since 2012.

In an interview with The Columbian filmed for Clark-Vancouver Television and a League of Women Voters of Clark County candidate forum

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