Seattle City Council member Harrell announces run for mayor
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SEATTLE -- Seattle City Council member Bruce Harrell has announced his decision to run for Seattle mayor.
Harrell, who is currently serving his second term on the council, launched his campaign on Tuesday.
"I am running for Mayor because people in Seattle need strong, proactive leadership and a leader who inspires our city to build a pathway to success for all; a leader who will jumpstart our city with fresh ideas and energy," he said in a written statement.
Harrell said he plans to convert existing community centers into "empowerment centers" that serve youth and seniors, and create 20 community service officer positions -- approximately four per precinct -- to "conduct meaningful outreach" and help curb gang violence.
Harrell said he planned to establish a $20 million endowment fund for the "College For Everyone" program, which would allow all graduates of Seattle Public High Schools to attend South Seattle Community College for free. The proposal expands on an existing program that guarantees free tuition at the community college for graduates of two Seattle schools.
Harrell is the last to join an already-crowded race. Also in the running are incumbent Mike McGinn, Seattle City Council member Tim Burgess, former Seattle City Council member Peter Steinbrueck, and state Sen. Ed Murray.
Burgess, who is also serving his second term on the council, has not always agreed with McGinn; they were on opposing sides of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and tunnel project. Burgess also wants street car expansion and transportation improvements.
Steinbrueck said he'll concentrate his efforts on schools, transportation and sustainable growth. Something he hopes not to see in the future is an NBA and hockey arena in the SoDo area.
McGinn, a former Sierra Club leader, said he would emphasize education, transportation and neighborhood safety in the upcoming campaign.
Murray has established an exploratory committee to build the foundation for a campaign. Because of rules for state lawmakers, Murray is unable to raise money until the Legislature completes its session.
Harrell, who is currently serving his second term on the council, launched his campaign on Tuesday.
"I am running for Mayor because people in Seattle need strong, proactive leadership and a leader who inspires our city to build a pathway to success for all; a leader who will jumpstart our city with fresh ideas and energy," he said in a written statement.
Harrell said he plans to convert existing community centers into "empowerment centers" that serve youth and seniors, and create 20 community service officer positions -- approximately four per precinct -- to "conduct meaningful outreach" and help curb gang violence.
Harrell said he planned to establish a $20 million endowment fund for the "College For Everyone" program, which would allow all graduates of Seattle Public High Schools to attend South Seattle Community College for free. The proposal expands on an existing program that guarantees free tuition at the community college for graduates of two Seattle schools.
Harrell is the last to join an already-crowded race. Also in the running are incumbent Mike McGinn, Seattle City Council member Tim Burgess, former Seattle City Council member Peter Steinbrueck, and state Sen. Ed Murray.
Burgess, who is also serving his second term on the council, has not always agreed with McGinn; they were on opposing sides of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and tunnel project. Burgess also wants street car expansion and transportation improvements.
Steinbrueck said he'll concentrate his efforts on schools, transportation and sustainable growth. Something he hopes not to see in the future is an NBA and hockey arena in the SoDo area.
McGinn, a former Sierra Club leader, said he would emphasize education, transportation and neighborhood safety in the upcoming campaign.
Murray has established an exploratory committee to build the foundation for a campaign. Because of rules for state lawmakers, Murray is unable to raise money until the Legislature completes its session.
LOL, another thug loving, cop hating liberal. Seattle sinks even farther down...
Where was Burgess for all the years he led public safety? Where was burgess at the John T memorial. He has been behind on police accountability from the start; now he throws this hail mary. If you want marketing, Burgess is your guy.
What about a candidate that will focus on the corruption of the SPD?
I wonder what his new and fresh ideas are to pay for all this new spending?
 @Nitroxman EXCELLENT question!
Glad I don't live in Seattle.
Y'all are gonna get screwed no matter who you elect.
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 @bobalouie I totally agree!
This idiot's going to reduce "gang" violence by renaming them Teams. Â Then we'll have no gang violence. Â Additionally, all Seattle businesses will be required to hire Teams for their security needs. Â
Now the race can begin. Police accountability should be the number one issue in the campaign. Harrell is the candidate that has pushed the hardest for changes at spd - not just fill good, window dressing measures McGinn has taken or called for. 20 20 anyone?
The only thing that will happen is he will further turn Seattle into SEATTLE: Socialist Elite And Truly Totalitarian Liberal Empire!
He can hire all sorts of felons, then City Hall can revert back to being full of criminal activity just like the early days in Seattle's history.
Haven't we heard this all before?
I sure hope he doesn't win. Anyone who doesn't understand the State Constitution and preemption of firearm laws shouldn't be sitting in the mayors seat. Then again I don't think McGimp has done much for Seattle
 @Scott Forgot to mention he wanted to waste millions on "ShotSpotter" technology rather than trying to find jobs for lower income folks, education, focusing on criminality, etc. Â
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Just like the rest of the lame politicians in Seattle Silly Clowncil.  Gotta love the techno-pancea mentality these guys have.  I haven't heard anything about it, so I guess they dumped on the idea and conveniently forget their lame positions.
 @Scott There's certainly more issues than that, but this Harrell guy doesn't seem like a better choice.  I've never thought that Harrell was the "sharpest tool in the shed."
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Unfortunately, I haven't seen anyone else running that would make a good mayoral fit.
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I wonder what the odds are for McGinn winning both the primaries and reelection. Â It's gotta be slim to none considering everyone both left and right don't care much for him.
Bruce Harrell as mayor will provide:
"proactive leadership"
"pathway to success for all"
"jumpstart our city with fresh ideas and energy"
"convert existing community centers into "empowerment centers"
"conduct meaningful outreach"
"College For Everyone"
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He also stated "It's not Rocket science to think outside the box and at the end of the day, if you can wrap your head around this going forward, it is a win win situation and the rubber will meet the road if you have enough boot's on the ground." <scarasm>
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Politicians???
Just when I thought it couldn't get worse in the mayor's office after this upcoming election...YIpes.
I sure like him when he was a Husky! Heckuva football player.
He has the vote of every criminal in town.
I think a dog should run against him, just to see how many more votes the dog gets. A dog ran for mayor of Concrete once and got more votes than the candidates.
With this type of leadership I am sure that the business community will jump right on his band wagon! "Law would delay background checks on job applicants - KOMO " Harrell's proposal. He doesn't want me to do background checks on potential employees prior to hiring...he is absolutely a nut case. Way too much liability. I will suffer with less employees as opposed to not doing background checks. What a moron!
Isn't this the nitwit that wants to force businesses to hire felons?
 @katiemcc Under his leadership they won't be felons.  They'll be a protected class that you're required to hire.
His tremendous ego is getting the best of him...As he is a career liar, he does not typify a "leader" nor "inspire" anyone other than criminals...I hope the people of Seattle see thru his charade....
Wow. Another WAY left councilmember trying to make a run for the big chair. Good luck buddy, you're going to need it.
 @B-Town Guy Not really.  Seattle is a fruity, way left city.
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Truly, it doesn't matter what the person's name is, what he/ she looks like or even what they say. Â Seattle will gladly keep electing more leftist morons to screw up the city. Â And the voters will continue to be baffled as to why their city is screwed up.
Not with that face.