2007 Endorsements for Ballot Measures

Vote Yes on Roads and Transit, Proposition 1

FoS carefully weighed the Roads and Transit package. Indeed, FoS was disappointed to see the package include suburban highway expansion. But FoS was encouraged by RTID's pledge to implement congestion pricing. And on balance, the package's imperfections are outweighed by the improvements the package will deliver for Seattle – 50 new miles of light rail, a Capitol Hill-First Hill streetcar, new bus ramps from I-5 and the Spokane Street Viaduct, a two-way Mercer boulevard, and other mobility projects. Additionally, the package will finance a study of light rail expansion within the city of Seattle, including lines connecting Burien, West Seattle, Ballard, the U District, and downtown. That is the kind of transportation network that Seattle must build to achieve the Friends of Seattle vision of a Seattle that grows substantially yet becomes more livable as it densifies.

The FoS political committee led the endorsement process. The committee evaluated all sides of the issue by reaching out to partner groups, stakeholders and local thought-leaders for information and political analysis. The steering committee approved the endorsement by more than a two-thirds vote.

2007 Endorsements for Seattle City Council

Process and Criteria

After carefully evaluating the candidates vying for election to the Seattle City Council, the Friends of Seattle steering committee decided to endorse the following candidates.

Jean Godden, Position 1
Bruce Harrell, Position 3
Tom Rasmussen, Position 5
Tim Burgess, Position 7
Sally Clark, Position 9

We sought candidates with enough past successes to indicate they would be capable elected representatives. More than that, we sought candidates who supported (1) development of a surface/transit replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct, (2) robust affordable housing policies, (3) zoning for more density downtown and in areas served by transit, (4) more mass transit, (5) better infrastructure for biking and walking, (6) vibrant parks and more open space, and (7) other policies necessary for sustaining urban life. No candidate is perfect on our issues. Indeed, we were prepared to withhold our endorsement in any race, if necessary. But we are confident that our five selections will be effective councilmembers whose positions are sufficiently aligned with our objectives for the next four years.

The FoS political committee led the endorsement process. The committee evaluated the candidates' written answers to a questionnaire it designed, and also interviewed each candidate. The steering committee approved each endorsement by at least a two-thirds vote. For more information about the FoS steering committee, please click here. If you have any questions or comments about our endorsements, please contact Political Chair Brendan Donckers or President Gary Manca .

Pos. 1: Jean Godden

We endorse Jean Godden for re-election to Position 1. During her first term in office, Godden ably chaired the Energy & Environmental Policy Committee. Under her leadership, utility rates dropped 8.4% and Seattle City Light became carbon neutral. We are encouraged by her promises for her second term. After having voted in favor of more density and the $19/sq. ft. affordable housing fee downtown, Godden supports zoning revisions to allow more density near downtown and along transit corridors. Godden also is a leader on transportation issues and has pledged that mass transit will be a priority for her next term. In fact, in her first term she supported the Bicycle Master Plan and defied opposition from businesses when she voted for a higher parking tax. Now she plans to push for an expansion of the streetcar network to Capitol Hill and the University District, and she is open to a new surface/transit plan to move people and freight in place of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Last but not least, she plans to advocate for new broadband technology infrastructure. In short, we are confident Godden will continue to vote for a greater Seattle, and we look forward to another four years of her leadership.

Pos. 3: Bruce Harrell

We endorse Bruce Harrell for Position 3. In this race Harrell is unique. He has a proven track record of strong leadership, creative problem-solving, and representing the underrepresented. For example, when small businesses in South Seattle were threatened with extinction because of light rail construction, Harrell helped form the $50 million Rainier Valley Community Development Fund and later served as its general counsel. In other instances, he has litigated class action claims against large corporations and won substantial settlements for clients who suffered employment discrimination. Harrell, who grew up in Seattle, also has participated in the Clean Dreams program and is a member of Social Venture Partners. Without question, he has gone to bat for worthy causes all his life.

Now we believe the whole city can benefit from his determined advocacy. Already familiar with the ins and outs of light rail construction, Harrell has pledged to be the most visible mass transit advocate on Council and to work with regional and state leaders to solve Seattle's transit woes. We are confident he will be successful given his advocacy skills and his relationships with King County Executive Ron Sims and state legislative leaders Frank Chopp and Ed Murray, all of who endorsed Harrell. On the Viaduct issue, Harrell agrees that a rebuild must be avoided and a surface/transit alternative fully explored. He wants to see more density in Seattle's urban centers and major transportation corridors. When it comes to parks, Harrell, as a youth sports coach and avid sportsman himself, fully understands how important open space is to our quality of life.

Harrell's skills would further benefit the city in the areas of budgeting and housing policy. As an attorney with a national municipal finance law firm, Harrell became familiar with how cities raise money and increase their bond ratings. This background leads him to believe that useful tools such as land banking, a growth related housing fund, and property tax abatements could make housing more affordable for low and middle income Seattle residents. Unquestionably, Harrell's skills and practical knowledge set Harrell apart in this race.

Pos. 5: Tom Rasmussen

We endorse Tom Rasmussen for re-election to Position 5. A strong advocate for affordable housing in his first term, Rasmussen promises to do even more in his second term. We were impressed by his push in Olympia last session for legislation to tighten regulations on condo conversions. With the housing levy up for renewal soon, the Council will benefit from Rasmussen's expertise on affordable housing when it decides on the new levy package. He is also passionate about design review and has expressed interest in taking the helm of the Urban Planning Committee. We look forward to working with him on urban development issues during his next term.

Pos. 7: Tim Burgess

We endorse Tim Burgess for Position 7. His broad range of experiences gives him an insightful perspective on how the city works. Furthermore, his endorsement interview showed that he has the skills and passion to be an effective leader and to work with other council members to pass good legislation. Burgess, a neighborhood activist from Queen Anne, has worked as a journalist, a Seattle police detective, and the chair of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.

His positions on the issues prove that he is the only candidate for Position 7 who will make Seattle more livable and sustainable as it grows. With his progressive transportation policies, Seattle would enjoy better facilities for biking and walking. Under Burgess's leadership, Seattle would also see the Alaska Way Viaduct torn down and replaced with a comprehensive surface/transit solution. Burgess envisions this multimodal transportation network alongside an expanded park system. With more open space and better ways of getting around, Burgess wants to up-zone in urban centers and along major transportation corridors to accommodate more housing. But these issues are only part of the equation for Seattle neighborhoods vitality and, Burgess correctly recognizes that their livability will suffer if they are unsafe and nightlife is stifled. That is why we appreciate his pro-nightlife stance and the credibility he would bring as a former police detective to the Council as it grapples with public safety issues. Because of his experience and policy positions, Burgess is the best person to be in Position 7 during the next four years as the Council faces key issues - the implementation of the Bicycle Master Plan, replacement of the Viaduct, and renewal of the housing and parks levies.

Pos. 9: Sally Clark

We endorse Sally Clark for re-election to Position 9. During her short year and a half on the job, Clark has demonstrated her commitment to the wellbeing of Seattle's neighborhoods. We appreciated her leadership on pedestrian safety, her support for the Complete Streets ordinance, and her vote for the Urban Mobility Plan. Currently, Clark is reassessing the neighborhood planning process. In the future, Clark, who is the Vice Chair of the Housing, Human Services & Health Committee, wants to tweak the housing levy to support middle income residents without decreasing support for low income housing. Always thoughtful and prepared, Clark is qualified to serve four more years on Council.