Uncle Mover (born Michael Patrick Shanks, March 17 1953, and formerly known as Mike The Mover) is an American perennial candidate and business owner from Washington State.[1] Shanks legally changed his name to Mike the Mover in 1990 to help promote his furniture moving business.[2]
Uncle Mover | |
|---|---|
 Uncle Mover's RV | |
| Born | Michael Patrick Shanks March 17, 1953 |
| Other names | Mike the Mover (formerly) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic Republican |
Politics
editAccording to Mover, he has run for public office more than 17 times but has never been elected.[3]
Though originally motivated to run for office in order to draw attention to Washington's complex regulations for movers, Mover's more recent campaigns have been a marketing tactic to promote his business. In 2004 he estimated $150,000 (~$231,953 in 2023) of his company's annual revenue came from the name-familiarity generated by his ballot appearances.[2] Never endorsed by a political party, he has sought office as both a Democrat and a Republican. In the 2014 election for U.S. Congress from Washington's 1st congressional district, Mover, a Civil War enthusiast,[4] ran as a candidate of the "National Union Party" (under Washington elections law, candidates can declare themselves a member of any party, whether the party exists or not).[5] Changing his name again to Uncle Mover, Mover filed to run for U.S. Senate in 2016.[6]
Personal life
editMike the Mover grew up as one of twelve children born to Richard and Patricia Shanks.[7][2] His father was the former Mayor of Lake City prior to it becoming part of Seattle in the 1950s.[7]
Mover resides in Snohomish County near Lynnwood, Washington.[2]
In 1977, Mover started moving professionally. Unable to receive a state permit, he was charged 89 times with gross misdemeanors and was convicted of in two of these cases for operating an illegal moving business.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Raley, Dan (September 14, 2004). "Where Are They Now: Mike The Mover". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Heffter, Emily (September 6, 2004). "If there's a ballot, there's "Mover"". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ "About Mike". theoriginalmikethemover.com. The Original Mike the Mover. Archived from the original on August 19, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ "CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT NO. 1 REPRESENTATIVE". The Stranger. September 12, 2002. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ "2014 Unofficial Candidate Filing". kingcounty.gov. King County Elections Office. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed". Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ a b Strickland, Daryl (1994). "Richard Shanks Devoted Time To Family, Community Service". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 8, 2019.