Uncle Mover
Uncle Mover | |
|---|---|
Uncle Mover's RV in 2006, when he was known as "Mike The Mover" | |
| Born | Michael Patrick Shanks March 17, 1953 United States |
| Other names | Mike the Mover (formerly) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic Republican National Union Party Moderate GOP Party[1] |
Uncle Mover (born Michael Patrick Shanks, March 17, 1953), formerly known as Mike The Mover, is an American perennial candidate and business owner from Washington State.[2] In 1990, Shanks legally changed his name to Mike the Mover to help promote his furniture moving business.[3]
Politics
[edit | edit source]According to Mover, he has run for public office more than 17 times but has never been elected.[4]

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 (~$238,042 in 2024) of his company's annual revenue came from the name-familiarity generated by his ballot appearances.[3] 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,[5] 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).[6] Changing his name again to Uncle Mover, Mover filed to run for U.S. Senate in 2016.[7]
Personal life
[edit | edit source]Mike the Mover grew up as one of twelve children born to Richard and Patricia Shanks.[8][3] His father was the former Mayor of Lake City prior to it becoming incorporated into Seattle in the 1950s.[8]
Mover resides in Snohomish County near Lynnwood, Washington.[3]
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.[3]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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