The three candidates for Tacoma’s District 4 City Council seat agree on this: The economy and crime are the top concerns of area residents.

Improving education and addressing infrastructure needs also come up when candidates talk to people.

The three have heard the message. Now it’s up to voters to decide who is most likely to address their concerns.

Voters will get their first chance in the Aug. 18 primary election, after which two candidates will advance to November’s general election.

District 4 encompasses much of Tacoma’s East Side and South End. Vying for the council seat are:

 • Marty Campbell, 38, owner of Stadium Video and Buzzard’s Discs in Tacoma.

 • Susanne Marten, 61, community development officer at the Supportive Housing Association in Puyallup.

 • Roxanne Murphy, 33, an Evergreen State College student and former City of Tacoma community relations specialist.

Campbell, who ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2007, cited his business and community experience as qualifications. He’s worked with groups such as the Downtown Merchants Group, the Cross District Business Association and the New Tacoma Neighborhood Council.

Campbell said the economy and crime would top his agenda. Infrastructure problems such as potholes and a lack of curbs and gutters also are a concern. And he said improving education is a priority.

“I can’t directly do anything about what happens in the classroom,” he said. “We can make sure families feel safe and secure.”

Campbell said he would seek state and federal assistance to address his priorities. He wants to help create a culture of entrepreneurship to revive neighborhood business districts. And he would emphasize strategic planning in city government.

Marten cites her experience in community development and public finance as a chief qualification. She works for a nonprofit that helps develop housing and services in poor neighborhoods. She also has been involved in groups such as the Pacific Avenue Business District and the Eastside Neighborhood Council.

“I love this neighborhood,” Marten said. “I’ve lived here 30 years. I know it needs improvement.”

She said residents are concerned about home foreclosures, unemployment and their children’s safety. She said the

area needs more police officers. And she said officers should spend more time walking through the neighborhood.

As a council member, Marten said she would champion real estate and business investment. And she sees opportunities for local businesses to work with the Port of Tacoma on economic development initiatives.

Murphy has been active in local groups such as the Eastside Neighborhood Council, the McKinley Hill Business District and the Dometop Neighborhood Alliance.

She also cites her efforts to fight crime; she founded the Web site www.endeastsidecrime.com, which distributes crime prevention information.

Murphy also points to her Native American heritage and her youth.

“I’m younger. I really want to bring a fresh perspective to the council,” she said. “I’m not weighed down by political baggage.”

Murphy said public safety and neighborhood blight are top concerns. She wants to work with groups like Safe Streets to organize block watches and with city officials to work on code enforcement and policing.

As a former city employee, Murphy said she understands what works for government and for the community.

Judging strictly by fundraising, Campbell is the candidate to beat. According to campaign records, he’s raised about $33,000, compared to about $10,000 for Murphy and about $5,800 for Marten. But because the post is elected by district, rather than citywide, grass-roots organizing can help compensate for short funds.

Though the council office is nonpartisan, Campbell’s backers include a who’s who of local Democrats. That includes key labor and environmental groups and political figures such as former Gov. Booth Gardner, state Rep. Dennis Flannigan and County Executive Pat McCarthy.

Marten cites endorsements from numerous District 4 residents.

Murphy’s supporters include the Nooksack Tribe, the Tacoma police union, the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective and the National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington.

David Wickert: 253-274-7341

david.wickert@thenewstribune.com

blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics

CANDIDATE INFO

Marty Campbell

Age: 38

Occupation: Owner, Stadium Video and Buzzard’s Discs

Experience: Chairman, Cross District Business Association; past chairman, New Tacoma Neighborhood Council; board member, Grand Cinema Theater; past president, Downtown Merchants Group; board member, Tacoma Urban Network; member, Tacoma’s East Action Membership

Education: University of Nebraska, studied pre-economics, 1989-90; Highline Community College, certificate of entrepreneurship, 1993; American Leadership Forum, 2008.

Campaign contact: 253-376-3774; electcampbell@gmail.com; www.electcampbell.org

Susanne Marten

Age: 61

Occupation: Senior housing developer

Experience: Sponsor of community service internships, University of Washington; Founding member of Pacific Avenue Business District; Predevelopment financing of White River Senior Housing, Buckley; volunteer, Rogers Dog Park; planning committee, McKinley Business District Street Fair

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science and community services, University of Oregon, 1970; Master’s degree in social work, University of California, Berkeley, 1975; Doctoral degree, school of public affairs and management, University of Washington, 1987. Continuing education, University of Washington, 2004-09

Campaign contact: 253-474-6053; Susanne@susannemarten.com; www.susannemarten.com

Roxanne Murphy

Age: 33

Occupation: Student

Experience: Board member, Eastside Neighborhood Council; board member, McKinley Hill Business District; volunteer, Dometop Neighborhood Alliance; volunteer, McKinley Street Festival; creator of www.endeastsidecrime.com; Community relations specialist, City of Tacoma

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communication, Central Washington University, 1999; student in master’s in public administration program, The Evergreen State College (will graduate in June 2010)

Campaign contact: 253-228-8567; electroxanne@hotmail.com; www.electroxanne.com