[7] In 1999, Seattle city council member Martha Choe decided to resign her seat to become the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Director.
Compton joined the race to replace Choe, with his primary opponent being WA state representative Dawn Mason.
[10] In 2003, Compton ran for reelection and his primary challenger was former city council member and police Sergeant John Manning.
[9] In December 2005, Compton announced that he planned to resign from the city council effective January 6 to teach in Egypt and Romania.
Former Washington state governor Albert Rosellini assisted the Colacurcios family by lobbying six members of the Seattle City Council and raising funds for three of the politicians.
[7] In March 2014, Compton was found dead of an apparent heart attack in his car after having dinner with friends the previous night.