About Cody Arguelles

Small Business Owner. Veteran. Father. Husband

I grew up in San Diego, where I experienced housing instability firsthand at a young age. After my parents’ divorce, I found myself couch surfing, sleeping in my car, and working any job I could to get by. Eventually, I saved enough to rent a refurbished tool shed — my first real sense of stability. That chapter of my life deeply shaped how I see the world and gave me a firsthand understanding of what it takes to overcome struggle.

Driven by that perspective, I became an entrepreneur, launching multiple businesses and even selling one. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything, I pivoted once again—this time answering a lifelong call to service by joining the U.S. Air Force. I served as a SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) Specialist, training airmen to survive in the harshest environments and return with honor.

My service brought my wife and me to Spokane, where we’ve chosen to build our life. After sustaining injuries that led to a 100% medical retirement, I didn’t slow down — I invested in my education and my community. I'm currently studying architecture at Washington State University and serving as President of the Veterans Committee, where I lead national efforts to protect student veterans’ access to education and improve transition services.

Now, as a downtown small business owner and advocate, I’m stepping up to run for Spokane City Council. I've lived the challenges that many in this city face: housing insecurity, bureaucratic hurdles, and the cost of simply trying to build something new. I’m committed to addressing homelessness, housing affordability, and public safety with practical, people-first solutions that reflect the complexity of these issues and the values of our community.

My wife and I live in Five Mile with our 10-month-old son. I'm running to help build a Spokane where he — and all our children — can thrive.