SANDPOINT — After Joe Tate finished his undergraduate degree, he moved back to Sandpoint in 2016 as a completely changed person.

Born and raised in Sandpoint, Tate said he battled addiction for much of his life before he returned. He said that while he was in Montana, he hit an emotional and physical low point, and it was there that he found his life passion.  

"I got admitted into rehab in the summer in Colorado, got sober and that kind of led me into my service to others' lives,” Tate said. “I volunteered at a youth rehab and the one I went to and eventually got hired at both of those places and worked in that addiction recovery industry.” 

Once Tate returned home, he would commute to the University of Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene campus to work toward his master’s degree in counseling. That degree landed him an internship and eventually a job at Kaniksu Health working with people on Medicare. 

"[I was] working with a lot of trauma, a lot of Medicaid and people, who without that Medicaid safety net would never get that mental health care,” Tate said. “I felt privileged to be able to do that be able to give back to the community and help people who couldn’t necessarily afford $150 to $200 an hour therapy.” 

After his time with Kaniksu Health, Tate worked with Human Connection Counseling Services, before he realized he was ready for the next step. That jump became Sandpoint Mental Health Counseling, Tate’s private practice that he’s been operating since 2023. 

Tate said he credits his time with Alcoholics Anonymous for helping him build his life to the point where running a private practice was possible. He said he leans on the principles he learned in that time such as spiritual fitness and humility. 

"I know some people in AA are not out there announcing it to newspaper reporters, but I feel like that’s who I am,” Tate said. “When you’re spiritually fit, you’re pumping on all cylinders, feeling love and giving love. You are your capital 's' self.” 

Tate’s ties to the region run deep, from his numerous family members who remain in the area to his father and stepmom who own the Finan McDonald Clothing Company. He said his aunt, Sue Haynes, a former Sandpoint City Council member, encouraged him to run. 

"She has told me that I should run for City Council for at least 10 years, and I thought that was ludicrous,” Tate said. “It’s just kind of the feeling that this chapter of my life is ready to expand and take a little more ownership over my hometown.”  

Tate is seeking election for a first term on the Sandpoint City Council during the election Nov. 4. There are three seats available, which will go to the three candidates with the most votes. His name will appear alongside Joel Aispuro, Rick Howarth and Joshua Torrez.