Jeff Rainforth has run for U.S. Congress and governor of California. Now he's turning his attention toward a seat on the Sacramento City Council.

The Sacramento Press is interviewing City Council candidates in advance of the June election.

Rainforth, 41, is running for District 3, which is represented by Steve Cohn. District 3 areas include East Sacramento, Midtown, Arden Fair and the Riverpark/CSUS/Campus Commons area.

Now working for Best Buy's Competitive Strategies Group, Rainforth has done his share of political activism. He ran for Congress on the Reform Party ticket, and became the party's California chairman in 2003. He also held a seat on the party's national committee.

After a troubled youth, including a drug-related near-death experience and living on the streets, Rainforth rediscovered his faith and refocused his life. While studying to become a teacher, he found something else, too: his passion for politics.

"I enjoy politics" he said, "how things affect the larger picture. I love the problem solving." Rainforth said he has "experience within a political party, (has) seen the system, the downfalls, etc."

"Political accountability" and "government waste, especially in a budget shortfall" concern him, Rainforth said. He called himself an "idea person" and said "nothing is off the table."

Rainforth called younger generations the "Creative Class". Attracting employers and the Creative Class to Sacramento are his top priorities, he said, adding that it is imperative in order to become a mecca for critical thinkers in areas such as science, technology, computer programming, health and education.

To attract the Creative Class, Rainforth said, he intends to create more social and art events, music and street fairs. He envisions a Sacramento with an even stronger artist community and living space for those artists. A related goal, he said, is affordable housing near Downtown Plaza.

A Sacramento resident since 2003, Rainforth said that winning the seat is doable despite his late entry in the race. He said his goal is to "talk to people in the area, target where people congregate."

The founder of Midtown Ultimate and Sports, a group that organizes ultimate frisbee games and leagues, also said he plans to work on free use of city facilities for social and amateur sports groups. His group has more than 200 participants.

"Living here, building a successful sports group, being involved with residents and seeing what they want and need, and why they're leaving" are what drives him, Rainforth said.

He opted for public matching funds, stating that he will "steer away from larger organizations. I'm not there to take money and vote their way, but to solve problems."