Seattle is a truly wonderful place to raise a family. My wife and two daughters enjoy the parks, community centers, and libraries that contribute to our quality of life. Quality public schools are also important to us and we have incredible respect for the men and women that are so involved in our lives and have such a positive influence on our children.

Having lived in many of Seattle’s neighborhoods - the U-District, Lake City, Broadway, Fremont, Wallingford, Phinney Ridge, and others - I understand that each neighborhood is special in its own way. Seattle is a neighborhood town that continues to offer diversity, excitement, and a wonderful quality of life.

But we have challenges to our quality of life and to the health of our city. People throughout our city are struggling. And they are worried that the quality of life they took for granted may not be in reach for their children. Young people just starting out wonder if they can afford to buy a house and raise a family here. They wonder what will happen with their neighborhood school. Will their children be safe walking home from school? And will their neighborhood be a place that has public gathering spaces where they can get to know their neighbors and build a sense of community?

These are common aspirations that we all share. And I believe that we all deserve to live in this kind of community regardless of income or background. This is why I am running for Seattle City Council.

That’s why I want to make it easier for families to thrive in Seattle. I want people to want to live here, AND be able to afford it. I want to make it easier for small businesses to open and stay open, for housing to be built, for local government to be as efficient as possible and for City Hall to understand how their decisions affect real people struggling to provide for their families and communities.

These are difficult times and it is more important than ever that we have people in leadership positions who are experienced and understand the challenges faced in both government and business. Now is the time to put aside ideology and find pragmatic solutions that will ensure that the Seattle of the future belongs to all of us.

I am excited about this challenge and look forward to a lively debate about Seattle’s future and our role in shaping it for the next generation.  If you would like to contact me or you'd like to join the team, you can reach me on my cell at 206-877-3164 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .