According to Prescott City Council member Jim Lamerson, everyone has experience with politics… because it’s everywhere you look.

“Define politics,” Lamerson says, regarding the word’s more loose definition disconnected from government. “Even in a marriage there’s politics; there’s collaboration, there’s negotiation, there’s compromise … Anyway you want to label it, it’s the art of politics.”

But even so, it can’t be denied the Jim Lamerson’s experience in more traditional politics goes far. For Lamerson, a city council election is old hat. If you recognize his campaign signs around town, it may be because you’ve seen his name in the past. Lamerson is running for his third term as city council member, an opportunity he is grateful for.

“Things like term limits compromise freedom,” Lamerson explains, glad that Prescott allows the freedom of endless re-election. “I have the freedom to run, and you have the freedom to choose me.”

But it’s not all about Lamerson’s re-election. He welcomes newcomers to the scene, saying, “One of my major roles on council is to groom my replacement.”

When asked about his advice for new candidates, Lamerson says, “I took several of them out for lunch and talked to them about the learning curve, and how it’s very smart to listen and watch.”

He goes on to note that, were term limits in place, newer candidates would run out of terms just as they began to attain some valuable experience.

So which newcomer is making their debut this time around?

Enter Charlie Arnold, the youngest candidate for city council this term. If elected, he’ll be new to the council; but he’s not the “new kid on the block.” Arnold has lived in Prescott since childhood, only leaving to attend the University of Arizona. He’s been back for five years now and is ready to take part as a decision-maker for the city.

“The decisions made now are going to be affecting my generation 30 to 40 years from now,” Arnold says, explaining his choice to run. He also feels he can represent the younger generations of Prescott.

While Arnold understands the importance of experience, which he has in other fields such as business and economic development, he also feels that a newcomer can “offer a new perspective… a new enthusiasm.”

“They’ll consistently ask questions,” he says, which could potentially raise interesting points about a decision that would have otherwise been left aside.

As for running again, Arnold is taking things slow.

“I’m just focusing on the next four years,” he says wisely.

But with some time and experience, and a continued passion for “the art of politics,” Arnold may someday join Lamerson as a veteran to the campaign game.