1. Name as it will appear on the ballot
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First Name |
Middle Initial or Nick Name |
Last Name |
2. Office sought (include office, jurisdiction, position/district number):
3. Are you the incumbent? Yes No
4. How long have you resided in this district/city?
5. How long have you resided in King County?
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Entire life |
6. Is the office sought partisan or nonpartisan? Partisan Nonpartisan
CAMPAIGN CONTACTS
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Campaign Name: |
Friends to Elect Bruce Harrell |
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Campaign E-mail: |
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Campaign Website: |
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1. Beginning with the most recent position, please list public offices which you have held. Include positions on appointive Boards or Commissions.
Public Office |
Elective or Appointive? |
Dates Held |
Leadership Role (if any) |
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2. If you ran for public office but were not elected, please list those races below:
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In this section, we are seeking responses that reflect the four ratings criteria: involvement, effectiveness, character, and knowledge. These are defined as follows:
1. In a page or less, why are you running for this office? (Note: the interview committee will be given a copy of this statement before your interview; at the beginning of your interview you will have the opportunity to expand on this statement in any way you wish.)
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I am running for office because our Seattle City Council needs effective, visionary leadership. As a Seattle native, community volunteer and practicing attorney, I will bring a unique skill set to the nine-member council that will allow it to understand business, technology, finance, and bond obligations in addition to the neighborhood development and community development skills it already has. I believe the City of Seattle is now defining itself. How it now solves or approaches its solutions to transportation issues, economic development, education, public safety, affordable housing and global warming will define who Seattle is and what it will become for the next generation. Seattle has grown dramatically during a great economic period. But I am not convinced that the City Council has managed its growth or planned its growth with visionary thinking. I think the Council has been somewhat reactionary during times when proactive strategic thinking, policy planning, focus and a commitment to develop a core competency in city planning is needed. I am running for office because I want to be part of the process to drive our City Council's efforts in that direction. I have served as a Senior Attorney and Chief Counsel to U S WEST, now QWEST. I have worked for the national law firm of Kutak Rock in their corporate/business group; a firm known for its work in municipal finance, real estate investment trusts and low income housing tax credit work. For 10 years I have managed a small law firm that focuses on individuals, constitutional and civil rights, neighborhoods, nonprofit groups and educational issues. I have negotiated multi-million dollar transactions and I have tried cases in front of juries where I advocated the rights of individuals who needed a voice. I am running for City Council because my grandparents lived here as well as my children. This is my home. I am committed to using all of my skills and experience to assist Seattle during these exciting and defining times. I have a vision to have Seattle neighborhoods affordable, safe and clean.
I am concerned about our lower income residents, young families, our aging population and our eroding middle class. They are being priced out of Seattle and it will take visionary thinking to drive policies to achieve successful economic diversity and affordability. That is what has historically made our city beautiful. Because of my proven commitment to protect and advocate the interests of those who need a voice, I am ideally suited to build bridges among people and restore hope to those who need help. The issues facing our city affect us all. I will commit to using all of my experience, energy and leadership to Seattle’s future. I will listen; remain accessible and accountable to our city. |
2. Describe your most important personal characteristics or traits as they relate to the office you seek.
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I am highly skilled at organizational design, conflict resolution, establishing teamwork and developing high-performing teams. My most important personal traits are kindness, honesty, teamwork and bringing the best out of others. My leadership is powerful because I am motivated by a passion to help others reach their potential. At the age of 16 I tutored kids in Seattle's central area. While going to high school and then to the University of Washington, I simultaneously tutored and mentored disadvantaged kids on a weekly basis and tutored inmates at Monroe reformatory helping them obtain their GED. My belief in them helped them believe in themselves. My oldest son continued my tradition to tutor and coach kids. My wife led one of Seattle's largest health and human service organizations. My family and I are committed to serve others.
With this spirit, in my first 100 days I will convene a citizen's summit to solicit ideas and support for the 5 areas of my platform: Transportation, Economic Development, Education, Public Safety and Affordable living/living green. I will develop relationships with the other council members to establish a vision of high performance and teamwork. For example, I will team with the WA State Dept of Transportation, King County Metro and other vested transit organizations to develop a solution to the viaduct problem that works best for Seattle commuters, neighborhoods and waterfront businesses. The impacts of construction to employees, maritime businesses and all people negatively affected by construction will be heard. I will demand that transportation impacts be honestly measured such that opponents team with each other to find the voters a viable solution. My experience in budgeting and saving money will be critical in finding a solution. Then, once a decision is made, we will get it done. I will provide the same thoroughness and fiscal accountability to all areas of work and policy effecting the city and residents of Seattle. During my campaign, I have leaders such as King County Executive Ron Sims and Speaker of the House Frank Chopp endorse me, even though they may have different opinions on transportation solutions. They know I will be the visionary council leader to navigate and lead to a viable solution. |
3. Please describe in sufficient detail, one to three accomplishments or contributions of which you are most proud. These examples should illustrate effective skills and capabilities you think apply to the office you are seeking. These accomplishments may have occurred at any time in your personal, professional, or public life.
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My parents did not finish college, but based on their inspiration, at the age of eighteen I graduated Valedictorian of the same high school they attended, Garfield High School, while obtaining 9 varsity letters and being the most valuable player in 3 main sports. I accomplished a feat in Garfield's history that had never been accomplished before or since. But what I am most proud of is the fact that I listened to so many coaches, tutors and mentors that allowed me to excel the way I did. I am proud of the fact that my success was largely based on the kindness and thoughtfulness of other people who inspired me and helped me.
The City of Seattle and Sound Transit made history by establishing a $50 million dollar fund and then placed it in the hands of Rainier Valley residents and community leaders to deal with the impacts of light rail construction in the Rainier Valley. These community leaders searched for an attorney who they knew had the substantive skills to deal with community lending, block grant funds, finance and corporate governance. But most importantly, these leaders and community activists wanted someone they trusted; someone who they knew were committed to neighborhoods, families and impoverished people. I am proud of the fact that they chose me to serve as their attorney. I continue to serve even while running for office.
Last, I am most proud of the fact that I started a small law firm, now Harrell, Connell, Cordova, Hunter & Pauley, that advocates the rights of employees, working families and many nonprofit organizations; a firm that has demonstrated an incredible devotion to workers and individuals. In that capacity, we fought in Williams et al. vs. The Boeing Company et al., where in 1998, I initiated this landmark class action matter on behalf of 15,000 employees at the Boeing Company who believed they were not paid or promoted fairly. A $15 million dollar settlement was approved by the District court but eventually remanded back to the District court by the Ninth Circuit. The case eventually went to trial and after a lengthy jury trial, a jury verdict on behalf of Boeing was reached but the case remains on appeal to the Ninth Circuit. My efforts in this regard demonstrated 9 years of advocacy for my clients. In Beck et al. vs. The Boeing Company et al., I met with 6 women who believed they were not paid or promoted fairly at the Boeing Company. These women hired me and I organized a concerted effort where eventually a nationwide settlement was achieved on behalf of thousands of female employees. This settlement was valued at approximately $65 million. In Helf et al. vs. the University of Washington we filed a class action matter where we represented part time faculty members who were not paid wage increases as required by law and the University of Washington’s compensation policies. A settlement was eventually reached valued at approximately $750,000. In Woods et al. v. Bank of America, we represented employees at the Bank of America who were denied the payment of overtime wages in violation of state labor law. This class action matter settled for approximately $1.3 million after our firm zealously advocated the rights of these workers. I am proud of what my firm has done because it has demonstrated a commitment to achieve fairness to those who needed help. |
4. Please list or describe your current and past activities in the community in which you have acquired skills that relate to the office you seek. Include your role in the activity and the year(s) in which you were involved. Involvement consists of many areas such as family, neighborhood, community, employment, or public life.
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I am an active leader and general counsel to one of the largest and oldest inner-city churches First A.M.E. of Seattle; I am the general counsel to the First A.M.E. Family and Child Services organization; I am the general counsel to the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, a nonprofit organization committed to community service and assisting those pursuing academic excellence; I am the general counsel to the Rainier District Athletic Association; I have been a youth tutor, mentor and sports coach in the Rainier Valley for the last 5 years; I have been a member of the Loren Miller Bar Association and served 3 years consecutively on its scholarship fundraising dinner committee; I am a member of the Japanese American Citizenship League (JACL); I am a member of the Social Venture Partnership organization (7 years) and a consistent giver to United Way of King County; I am a member of the Tabor 100 organization; I am a member of the Breakfast Group, a nonprofit organization committed to assisting disadvantaged Seattle youth; I have received the pro bono law recognition award from the Washington State Bar Association for providing legal work to citizens and groups who could not afford legal services; and for the last 4 years I have performed pro bono work or under market rate work for the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, which assists businesses negatively impacted by light rail construction.
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The Seattle City Council drives the operation, growth and survival of the city. It must concern itself with essential services such as public safety, street maintenance, emergency preparedness, utilities and the city's infrastructure. It must concern itself with the finances and budget of the city. The Council serves as a balance of power to some of the functions held by the chief executive of the city: the Mayor.
I think one of the most important duties of the City Council is to drive policies and laws of the city that protects its constituents: families, neighborhoods, employees, schools, businesses large and small. It must be the bridge builder between these diverse constituents always balancing the needs between these groups and driving policy and decisions with the vision of maintaining a successful, diverse economy. The City Council cannot be single visioned or single issued; it must drive policy to balance the needs of all of its constituents.
I am seeking a position on the City Council because I am the only candidate who has a proven track record on successfully representing people, small groups and neighborhoods, as well as businesses, large and small. I am the only candidate who has advocated for the survival of small businesses and neighborhoods when change occurs. I am the only candidate who has worked in the areas of municipal finance and technology. This is the skill set that I bring to the Seattle City Council. |
EDUCATION BACKGROUND SUMMARY
The Municipal League’s Candidate Evaluation Report is distributed to voters in print and/or on our website. It includes a summary of the candidate’s education. Please summarize your education in 120 characters (letters, punctuation, and space all combined). The League will delete material that exceeds the space limit by beginning with the last entry. Suggested order is (degree) (subject) (school) (year, if desired).
Note: If this question is left blank the League will not include education information in your candidate profile.
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1981. B.A. Univ. of WA. (Pol. Sci.) 1984 J.D. UW School of Law 1992 M.A. Seattle City Univ. (Org. Design & Imprvmt). |
FOR PUBLICATION IN CANDIDATE EVALUATION REPORT
The Municipal League’s Candidate Evaluation Report also includes a summary of each candidate’s civic involvement. Please summarize your civic involvement in the space below. We will make every attempt to include the information in the Candidate Evaluation Report as submitted. Due to space restrictions in the Report, your response is limited to 500 characters (letters, punctuation, and spaces all combined). It is important that you list your involvement beginning with the most important and ending with the least important. If you exceed the length of response permitted, or if the League should find it necessary to shorten responses for publication purposes, deletions will be made beginning with the last item listed.
Note: This information will appear verbatim on the League’s Candidate Evaluation Report. If this question is left blank, the Municipal League will not include information on your civic involvement in the Report.
Check here if you would like the Municipal League to copy the first 500 characters from Question 4 to paste into this section.
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General counsel to First A.M.E. Church , Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Rainier District Athletic Assoc.; a youth mentor and coach for the last 5 years; active member of the Loren Miller Bar Assoc., Social Venture Partners for 7 years; supporter of United Way of King County; member of the Tabor 100 org.; member of the Breakfast Group, an organization committed to assisting disadvantaged youth; I’ve received the pro bono law recognition award from the WSBA for my work in the community. |
Finished!
If at all possible, send your response to the Municipal League electronically as an attachment, or insert it into an e-mail message (cec@munileague.org). Mail and fax numbers are listed below. If the League has not contacted you to schedule an interview, please call the League office at your earliest convenience.
Don’t forget to send the following to the Municipal League: a resume, a photo, campaign literature, and, if you are an incumbent, constituent newsletters and other materials. Please use the check-off list on the cover sheet of this packet to indicate which items you have sent.
Candidate Evaluation Coordinator: Jason Thibedeau
Seattle, WA 98104-1614 Fax: (425) 671-0506 Website: www.munileague.org