Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Tom Van Ruiten
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Tom Van Ruiten ran for election to the Reno City Council to represent Ward 1 in Nevada. He lost in the primary on June 11, 2024.
Van Ruiten completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Tom Van Ruiten was born in Los Angeles, California. He earned a bachelor's degree from the California State University, Stanislaus in 2002. His career experience includes working in marketing. He has been affiliated with Grace Church Reno and Washoe Human Services Have a Heart Mentor Program.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: City elections in Reno, Nevada (2024)
General election
General election for Reno City Council Ward 1
Incumbent Kathleen Taylor defeated Frank Perez in the general election for Reno City Council Ward 1 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kathleen Taylor (Nonpartisan) | 51.0 | 7,375 | |
| Frank Perez (Nonpartisan) | 49.0 | 7,088 | ||
| Total votes: 14,463 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Reno City Council Ward 1
The following candidates ran in the primary for Reno City Council Ward 1 on June 11, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kathleen Taylor (Nonpartisan) | 29.1 | 1,030 | |
| ✔ | Frank Perez (Nonpartisan) | 24.1 | 852 | |
| Lily Baran (Nonpartisan) | 23.7 | 837 | ||
 | Tom Van Ruiten (Nonpartisan) | 6.8 | 239 | |
| Matthew DeMartini (Nonpartisan) | 5.6 | 198 | ||
| Jessica Glover (Nonpartisan) | 5.4 | 190 | ||
| Darrin Freeman (Nonpartisan) | 3.1 | 109 | ||
| Arturo Rangel (Nonpartisan) | 2.3 | 81 | ||
| Total votes: 3,536 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Van Ruiten in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Tom Van Ruiten completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Van Ruiten's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
Tom's upbringing in a tight-knit farming community instilled in him the foundational values of community and connection. He found solace and guidance in the Catholic Church, a journey he continues with Grace Church Reno. During his college years, Tom explored diverse paths, from military academy to engineering, before discovering his true passion in economics. His career journey has been a dynamic one, spanning various industries including business ownership, insurance, real estate, education, marketing, and tourism. As a resident of Reno for nearly 15 years, Tom holds a deep affection for the city, considering it his "forever hometown." Alongside his spouse of 17 years, Tom shares his home with two beloved dogs and a cherished feline companion. An avid outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys mountain biking, kayaking, off-roading, and pursuing backcountry skiing adventures. Tom's musical talents shine as he contributes to the worship team at Grace Church with his guitar skills. Committed to giving back, he volunteers with youth programs and serves as a mentor for foster children through Washoe Human Services. Currently, Tom leverages his expertise as the Director of Marketing for the RSCVA, contributing to the vibrant economy of Reno. With a passion for community and a heart for service, Tom seeks to empower and uplift Reno residents, ensuring a brighter future for all.
- Tom's campaign theme and vision, "For the CommUNITY of Tomorrow," signify a transformative approach, urging the council to embrace responsibility for programs fostering community cohesion. This vision reflects Tom's aspiration for a unified Reno, where collective unity propels us forward. A genuine community thrives on shared values and togetherness, leveraging collective strengths to surmount challenges. This fundamental principle, often overlooked in modern America, has been intrinsic to human existence. A united Reno CommUNITY promises an elevated quality of life for all. This concept is radically different and is worth exploring deeper. Tom's website lays out the details. visit votetomreno.org
- "Smart Growth" is the cornerstone of Tom's vision for Reno's future. It acknowledges the importance of economic expansion while ensuring the preservation of our city's unique values, history, and culture. Embracing this approach means prioritizing investments in safety, parks, and public services to enhance resident well-being. By empowering our community and fostering unity, we can collectively shape a prosperous and inclusive future. Additionally, city government plays a crucial role in integrating newcomers and fostering a sense of belonging. Together, we embrace a culture-driven approach to development, honoring Reno's heritage while seizing opportunities for progress.
- The Reno City Council makes big decisions that affect the people of Reno. Why Vote for Tom? 1) Determined to help the people of Reno build social unity and economic prosperity, 2) Raised in a small town, strong values in community and faith, 3) Experience collaborating with multiple generations, adept at collaboration and adaptation, 4) Forward-thinking mindset, advocates for fresh ideas and logical evolution, 5) Sees the role of city council as fostering economic growth, prosperity, safety, unity, and community cohesion, 6) Strong academic background in economics, and diverse industry experience, 7) Experience in tourism industry critical for Reno's prosperity, 8) Honest, transparent, driven by good intentions, 9) Not a career politician
Please visit Tom's website, votetomreno.org. The homepage has a summary of 10 key issues of, and a dedicated "approach" page has specifics - not just fluffy politician "solutions" - wit over 1800 words is available for those who like details. These are the 10 areas of priority for Tom (not necessarily in order of importance): 1) Community Empowerment - Mobilizing Reno Residents for Change, 2) Homelessness and Mental Health Support, 3) Public Safety Enhancement, 4) Cleanliness and Civic Pride, 5) Cultural Engagement and Social Connectivity, 6) Affordable and Diverse Housing, 7) Economic Development and Diversification, 8) Enhanced Recreational Spaces, 9) Infrastructure Maintenance and Transportation Access, 10) Environmental Stewardship
Tom has a dedicated blog on his website specifically addressing his political philosophy. Visit votetomreno.org and navigate to the blog/article entitled "Does Tom Lean Left or Right." Here is a teaser:
"People often ask if I lean left or right. It's such a divisive question in this time where so many have zero tolerance for opinions that differ from their own. Like so many, I feel you can't define me by a simple label anymore. It's more complicated than that. So let me share some foundational beliefs - these guide the decisions I make in my own life and color the lens through which I view the world.
Life is hard. It always has been and always will be. We are on a giant sphere of 9000 degree molten iron whizzing at 67,000 mph around a giant ball of fire in the endless vacuum of outer space. It's not fair - it was never designed to be fair. It's not fair for any plant or animal on the planet now or in the history of the world. There is no such thing as equality of outcome or opportunity in nature, as outlined by the scientific doctrine of evolution and "survival of the fittest."There are 6 more foundational beliefs listed on Tom's website.
We have it better than any humans ever have. It's almost unrealistic how good we have it. This "relatively" easy life has created a sense of entitlement of "what I deserve" from the community. But first and foremost, we are responsible for ourselves and our families. Nobody owes anybody anything, except by one's own desire to help another by sense of virtue and core beliefs."
Honesty, good intentions, independence, the ability to evolve, adaptability, humbleness, a collaborative spirit, an understanding of the economics, the willingness to go first and stand alone when in the best interests of the people, and understanding that politics is not supposed to be a career.
To act out and execute the promises made to those that elected the elected official, honoring the promises made with good and honest intentions, to the best of their abilities.
They were building a K-Mart in my hometown. I worked with the parking lot construction crew. They had me hold a piece of wood against the curbs while they sprayed some black sticky material that the asphalt would adhere to. It was beyond messy! I was 12. It taught me the value of a dollar.
Tom does not have experience in government, which he views not as a shortcoming but as a strength that aligns with democratic principles. Our founders envisioned a government by the people, not a political class of career politicians. They believed public office should be accessible to all, without barriers based on prior governmental work. This inclusivity ensures diverse voices and fresh perspectives, unencumbered by bureaucratic norms, contribute to decision-making. As Thomas Jefferson said, "Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government." Tom's background outside politics enriches his understanding of Reno's community needs, fostering more inclusive and representative governance. In a system valuing diverse thought, we must value and encourage the participation of "regular" citizens in public service, ensuring a government truly of, by, and for the people.
A wide diversity of experiences is critical. Nobody can know everything, and there is a heavy reliance on staff, advisors, and legal council for those elected to this (or any) office. The most important thing is that the office holders have proven the ability to adapt, evolve, and learn new things. The need a foundational desire and ability to absorb information that is foreign/new and make sense of it, to the point where important decisions can be made in the best interest of those represented.
My dad, mom and wife
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 9, 2024
| |||||||||
