Jeff Shipley often attends Iowa City City Council meetings. But he’s not a councilor. He’s on the ballot.

The UI senior is running for an at-large seat on the council, aiming to continue his role as a student representative to the city.

Shipley serves as the UI Student Government liaison to the City Council. He regularly attends City Council meetings and work sessions as part of his UISG liaison duties, provoking his election run.

“I kind of bounced the idea around while working as the liaison,” Shipley said.

With his friends’ encouragement, he announced his candidacy in July.

His campaign focuses on public safety, sustainability, and representing students’ interests.

The 21-year-old is originally from Naperville, Ill., but he said he no longer calls the Chicago suburb home.

“I call myself an Iowan now,” he said.

Shipley said the community needs some inventive thinkers — such as himself — to help solve some of the city’s problems.

“The list [of solutions] is endless,” he said. “It just takes a little bit of creativity.”

As part of his public-safety platform, he opposes a possible franchise tax fee, an issue councilors discussed recently. The generated revenue from the potential tax would be used to improve public safety, but he said another tax would have a negative effect on the community.

“It’s very clear to me that in light of the economic depression, taxation will be destructive,” he said. “In terms of a solution, we have to get creative.”

He suggested voluntary funding instead, saying, “Look how much people donate to the library.”

Since he announced his campaign, Shipley said he has been trying to make his name a buzz word around campus.

He and his team have distributed T-shirts and spoken with UI student organizations to let them know that a student is running “and to let them know that my name is Jeff Shipley,” he said.

Shipley’s team is supportive, recognizing his dedication and ability to become a politician.

“He is willing to put forth the effort that [is needed],” said friend John Hochstetter, also Shipley’s campaign treasurer.

Though Shipley is campaigning against two fellow UI students and two Iowa City residents, he remains optimistic about his chances of winning.

“I have no reason to think I’m out of it,” he said.

The primary election is scheduled for Oct. 6, when one at-large candidate will be voted out of the race, leaving four potential councilors running for the two available seats.