Bruce Harrell

Last updated

Joanne Harrell
​
(m. 1992)​
Bruce Harrell
Bruce Harrell (52457507483) (2).jpg
Harrell in 2022
54th and 57th Mayor of Seattle
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2022
Residence(s) Seward Park, Washington, U.S.
Education University of Washington (BA, JD)
City University of Seattle (MS)

Bruce Allen Harrell (born October 10, 1958) [1] is an American politician and attorney serving as the 57th and current mayor of Seattle. He was a member of the Seattle City Council from 2008 to 2020. From 2016 to 2020, he was president of the city council. [2] He was acting mayor of Seattle from September 13 to 18, 2017. [3] [4] He was elected mayor in his own right in the 2021 Seattle mayoral election, becoming the city's second African-American mayor and its first Asian-American mayor. He is currently running for reelection to a second term in the 2025 Seattle mayoral election.

Contents

Early life and education

Harrell was born in 1958 in Seattle, to an African-American father who worked for Seattle City Light and a Japanese American mother who worked for the Seattle Public Library. As a child during World War II, Harrell's mother was incarcerated with her family at Minidoka internment camp in Idaho. [5] Growing up, Harrell and his family lived in the Central District in Seattle in a minority neighborhood. He attended Garfield High School and played football there as a linebacker, becoming named to the all-Metro team. [6] He graduated from Garfield in 1976 as class valedictorian. [7]

After high school, Harrell attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship, rejecting an offer to attend Harvard University. [8] He played for the Washington Huskies football team from 1976 to 1979 and was named to the 1979 All-Pacific-10 Conference football team. He received the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award, made the national Academic All-American First Team in football, and was named the Husky defensive player of the year. [9] In 2013, he was inducted into the NW Football Hall of Fame. [9]

Harrell graduated from the University of Washington in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law in 1984. In 1994, he earned a master's degree in organizational design and improvement from City University of Seattle. Harrell received the University of Washington Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007 and its Timeless Award in 2012. [10]

After attending law school, Harrell joined US West, now Lumen Technologies, in 1987. Harrell was chief legal advisor to the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, chief legal advisor to the First A.M.E. Church and First A.M.E. Housing Corporation, chief counsel to US West, and the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Zeta Pi Lambda chapter. [11] [12]

Seattle City Council

Elections

2007 election

In 2007, councilmember Peter Steinbrueck chose not to run for reelection, which drew five challengers for the open seat, which included Harrell, former city councilmember John Manning, and former mayoral candidate Al Runte. [13] [14] Prior to the primary election, Harrell and Venus Velázquez, a private public-affairs consultant, were the only candidates in the race to raise more than $100,000 and were considered front-runners. [13] In the August primary, Velázquez came in first, earning 43.72% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Harrell, who earned 28.43%. [15] [16]

Harrell focused his campaign on public safety, pushing for increased funding for the police and fire departments, with education being another top priority. [13] Velázquez, who Steinbrueck endorsed, emphasised city growth without displacing low and middle-income individuals, and increasing affordability. [13] [16] Velázquez was seen as a frontrunner in the election until weeks before the election, when she was arrested on suspicion of DUI. [17] [18] Although she was later found not guilty in a jury trial, she stated her prosecution was politically motivated since the city attorney, Tom Carr, endorsed Harrell. [18]

In the November general election, Harrell defeated Velázquez, 59.88% to 39.66%. [19] [20]

2011 election

Harrell ran for reelection in 2011 and faced one challenger, Brad Meacham, a former financial journalist and chair of the Municipal League of King County. [21] [22] [23]

Harrell ran on his work on the council overseeing Seattle City Light, pushing the utility to sell surplus property, build a $100 million savings account, and raise rates. [22] Meacham criticized Harrell's oversight of the utility and raising rates without a strategic plan in place. [21] [22] The candidates differed on public safety, with Harrell endorsing the use of police body cams, which he said would improve trust, while Meacham called them "cynical," saying they avoided firing bad officers. [22] Meacham was supported by the People's Waterfront Coalition and the Sierra Club, due to his opposition to the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel, while Harrell was supported by business and labor groups. [22] [23]

In the November general election, Harrell defeated Meacham, 61% to 38%. [24] [25]

2015 election

Following years of at-large city council elections, Seattle switched to district-based city council elections, and Harrell ran in the newly created District 2 seat, which covers the International District and South Seattle. [26] Harrell faced two challengers, food advocate and community organizer Tammy Morales and Occupy Wall Street and Housing advocate Josh Farris. [26] [27] In the August primary, Harrell came in first, with 61.72% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Morales, who earned 24.66%. [27] [28]

Harrell focused his campaign on public safety and his experience in office, while Morales ran as a progressive, emphasizing the need to address inequality in land use and city growth management. [29] In the November general election, Harrell narrowly defeated Morales, 50.79% to 48.96%, a margin of 344 votes. [30] [31]

Tenure

Councilman Harrell with mayor Ed Murray met with African American leaders African American Parent Involvement Day (32072188453).jpg
Councilman Harrell with mayor Ed Murray met with African American leaders

In 2011, Harrell wrote a letter to now former US Attorney Jenny Durkan asking that the federal government mandate body cameras in Seattle. [32] In December 2014, he announced a pilot program to equip 12 officers with body cameras in the East Precinct, with a department wide program by 2016. [33] In 2017, Mayor Ed Murray has signed an executive order to require officers and sergeants to wear body cameras while on duty, which Harrell supported. [34]

In 2014, Harrell was the only dissenting vote when the City Council's land use committee voted to rezone the area around the Mount Baker Light Rail Station to permit dense housing construction. [35] Harrell unsuccessfully introduced amendments that would have delayed the upzoning indefinitely for further study and reduced the amount of housing that could be constructed near the public transit station. [36] When the upzoning was put up to a vote in the City Council, Harrell was the only member to vote against it. [36]

On January 4, 2016, he was sworn in to the District 2 office and elected council president by fellow councilmembers. [37] Later that year, Harrell supported a measure to attempt to bring back the Seattle SuperSonics, but the measure was defeated in a 5–4 vote. [38] [39]

In 2018, Harrell supported a scaled-back version of the proposed Head Tax, a per-employee tax on large businesses to raise money for housing and homeless services, to $250 per employee. [40] After the legislation passed, he voted to repeal the Head Tax, citing a risk of a referendum supported by Amazon and other businesses. [40]

In 2019, Harrell chose not to run for reelection, stating, "Today I am announcing my intent not to seek re-election to the Seattle City Council for a fourth term because of my belief that three terms is sufficient in this role at this time." [40]

Acting mayor of Seattle

Harrell being sworn in as acting mayor Bruce Harrell Sworn-in as Seattle's 54th Mayor (37073194761).jpg
Harrell being sworn in as acting mayor

On September 12, 2017, Mayor Ed Murray resigned due to multiple allegations of child abuse, rape and sexual molestation. [3] Harrell initially stood by Murray after four accusers came forward, but after a fifth accuser came forward, Harrell called on Murray to resign, calling the allegations "unspeakable." [40]

As council president, Harrell was sworn in as acting mayor of Seattle on September 13, 2017. [41] Harrell served as acting mayor for a five-day period, after which the city council elected Tim Burgess to fill the position until the November election. [42] Harrell declined to continue as acting mayor until November, which would have required him to lose his city council seat. [43]

Mayor of Seattle

Elections

2013 election

In January 2013, Harrell announced his candidacy for Seattle mayor against incumbent Michael McGinn. [44] [45] Harrell called McGinn's leadership style as ineffective, and criticized the mayor over his handling of the federal probe into the Seattle Police Department over use of force and biased policing. [44] [45] During a primary debate, Harrell stated that McGinn's successes as mayor were legislation passed by the council, like the passage of paid sick leave. [46]

In the August primary, Harrell came in fourth with 15.22% of the vote. [47] He endorsed then-state senator Ed Murray in the general election. [48]

2021 election

After Mayor Jenny Durkan announced in 2021 that she would not seek reelection, Harrell announced his candidacy. [49] [50] In his announcement, he said "Look at what Seattle has become," referring to the ongoing homelessness crisis, business closures, property destruction, and racial violence. [50] Harrell joined a crowded primary field of 15 candidates, which included Council President Lorena González, Chief Seattle Club Executive Director Colleen Echohawk, former state representative Jessyn Farrell, and architect Andrew Grant Houston. [51] In the August primary, Harrell came in first, with 34% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with González, who earned 32.11%. [52] [53]

Harrell ran as a moderate, focusing on expanding the police force and addressing visible homelessness, and was endorsed by former governor Gary Locke, and former Seattle Mayors Norm Rice and Wesley C. Uhlman. [54] [55] González ran as a progressive, focusing on increasing corporate taxes and ending forced sweeps of homeless people, and was endorsed by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren along with a majority of the city council. [54] [55] [56]

In the final days of the election, González released an advertisement that focused on Harrell's initial support of Ed Murray during the abuse scandal. [57] The advertisement featured a white woman, who was a rape survivor but not a Murray accusor, who stated that she could not trust Harrell because he sided with Murray. [57] [58] González would pull the ad, and apologized saying, "I am sorry we did not work harder to center the voice of a sexual assault survivor from our community of color who was also willing to tell their story." [57]

In the final week of the campaign, Harrell faced an ethics complaint that accused Harrell of influencing a wage-theft investigation at a men's-only club that he was a member of while he was council president. [59] Harrell released a statement accusing González of trying to distract voters from issues like homelessness and public safety. [59]

In the November 2021 election, Harrell defeated González, 58% to 41%, and was sworn in as the 57th mayor of Seattle on January 1, 2022. [60] [61]

2025 reelection

In December 2024, Harrell announced his intention to run for reelection in the 2025 Seattle mayoral election. [62] This announcement included numerous high-profile endorsements, including from Governor-elect Bob Ferguson and then-King County Executive Dow Constantine. [63] If reelected, Harrell would become the first Seattle mayor to win a second term since Greg Nickels in 2005. Harrell drew seven challengers for the August primary election, including activist Katie Wilson, actor Ry Armstrong, and 2009 Seattle mayoral election runner-up Joe Mallahan. [12]

In the August primary, Harrell came in second, with 41.2% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Wilson, who earned 50.8%. [64] [65]

Harrell focused his campaign on his administration's efforts on public safety, transportation, and housing affordability, while criticizing Wilson's previous support for the "Defund the Police" movement. [66] [67] Wilson, running as a progressive, focused her campaign on homelessness and affordabiliity, while criticizing Harrell as the "status quo" for doing little to address homelessness and the rising cost of living. [66] [68]

Tenure

Harrell joins other individuals that had recently won mayoral elections in meeting President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House Joe Biden in the Oval Office with newly-elected mayors FGq2Q3EXwAQiJZ9.jpg
Harrell joins other individuals that had recently won mayoral elections in meeting President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House

Appointments and staff

Deputy Mayor Kendee Yamaguchi resigned in July 2022. Harrell informed his cabinet that Greg Wong, the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods, would be promoted to deputy mayor. [69] [70] Harrell appointed Gino Bettis, the former assistant state's attorney for Cook County, Illinois, as director of the Office of Police Accountability on August 1, 2022. [71]

Harrell appointed Adrian Diaz, the interim chief of the Seattle Police Department, to become permanent in September 2022. [72] In May 2024, Harrell announced Diaz' demotion from police chief to a new role in "special projects" and appointed former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr as interim chief. [73] The demotion occurred amid lawsuits and allegations involving sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and creating a misogynistic culture in the police department, but Harrell praised Diaz in the press conference. [73] In October 2024, Diaz was placed on paid leave during watchdog investigations into 51 allegations against him and the department. [74] In December 2024, Harrell fired Diaz after an internal investigation found that Diaz had hired and directly supervised a romantic partner and attempted to cover it up. [75] In May 2025, Diaz filed a lawsuit against the city over wrongful termination and discrimination, after he came out as gay. [76]

Harrell named his niece and former campaign manager Monisha Harrell as senior deputy mayor in 2021, becoming the first black, openly gay deputy mayor in Seattle history. [77] [78] She resigned the position in 2023, stating her departure was amincable and over disagreements on public safety issues. [79] In 2025, Monisha Harrell stated her departure was due to a toxic workplace against her and other women in the office. [78]

Housing

In 2023, Harrell sought to limit the applicability of a new Washington state law that permitted the construction of fourplexes and sixplexes in zones previously zoned exclusively for single-family housing. The state law was intended to increase housing construction amid a housing shortage. In explaining Harrell's attempt to limit density and new housing construction, his spokesperson cited concerns over gentrification and displacement. [80]

In July 2022, the Pacific Northwest experienced a historic heat wave that brought dangerously high temperatures to Seattle. Harrell's administration faced harsh criticism for continuing to remove homeless encampments during the heat wave. [81] Harell's administration removed over 8,000 tents in 2023 and 2024, breaking records for number of houseless sweeps performed while shelter capacity was reduced over the same period [82] , exacerbating community concern around housing access and public safety. [83]

In February 2025, Seattle held a special election to determine funding for a social housing program that had been approved by voters in an earlier election. Harrell, alongside business leaders, endorsed Proposition 1B, a proposal to use existing tax revenue to fund this housing, while progressive leaders endorsed Proposition 1A, a proposal to create a new business tax dedicated to funding social housing. Proposition 1A was victorious, a particularly significant loss for Harrell since it came after he had launched his reelection campaign. [84] [85]

Transportation

In July 2022, Harrell's administration reversed a decision made by former mayor Jenny Durkan to allow the Department of Transportation to issue parking violation tickets instead of the Seattle Police Department. The move resulted in the cancellation of 200,000 parking tickets issued by the Department of Transportation, with Seattle vowing to refund nearly $5 million to those who had paid the fines. [86]

In May 2024, Harrell proposed a $1.45 billion transportation levy, the largest in the city's history, focusing on sidewalk construction and repairs, enhanced pedestrian and bicyclist connectivity to light rail stations, transit access and reliability, bridge maintenance and planning, and the maintenance and modernization of Seattle's streets. [87] In the November general election, voters approved the levy, which was increased to $1.55 billion by the city council. [88]

Climate change

In September 2022, Harrell signed Green New Deal legislation in Seattle, allocating $6.5 million for climate projects in the city, including funding towards efforts to get city-owned buildings off fossil fuels by 2035. [89]

Immigration

In December 2024 Harrell commented on President-elect Donald Trump's planned mass deportation of illegal immigrants, stating the importance of "protecting certain communities", but also indicated that he would support mass deportation efforts of criminals, citing "certain activities coming out of the White House that we want to embrace." [90]

Controversies

Allegations of a toxic workplace

In 2025, Monisha Harrell, Bruce Harrell's niece and former Senior Deputy Mayor, came forward to KUOW, alleging that Bruce Harrell created a toxic work environment where he repeatedly undermined the authority of the women staffers, including her. [78] [91] Six other anonymous women with ties to the Mayor's office were interviewed by KUOW, supporting Monisha Harrell's assessment that Mayor Bruce Harrell's office was a dog-eat-dog boys club where women were condescended to and shut out of important meetings, even though their roles would suggest they be included. [78] Monisha Harrell claimed her uncle and male staffers called her "SMD Nazi" and that staffers went around her to influence the Mayor. [78] [91]

China Harbor restaurant event and subsequent Queen Anne mayoral forum

On October 8, 2021, Harrell, at the time campaigning for mayor, attended a dinner event at China Harbor restaurant, a popular location for political fund-raisers, to spread and deliver his mayoral platform. [92] In attendance were political figures including former Washington Governor Gary Locke, Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta, and candidate for Port of Seattle Commission Hamdi Mohamad. The event, which had around 270 attendees, had many COVID-19 restrictions in place by the restaurant, including requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, and for eventgoers to wear a mask when not eating, drinking or sitting at their table. [92] According to state law at the time, masks were required in all public, indoor spaces, with the exception of those actively eating or drinking. During the event, Harrell and other attendees were photographed mingling and posing for photos without masks. [92]

This drew criticism, including from Seattle journalist Erica Barnett, who shared the photos on Twitter and called the event a "giant, unmasked fundraiser". [92] One of Harrell's mayoral opponents, M. Lorena Gonzalez, later said in a forum that "leadership in my mind means that you cannot play by your own rules when it comes to public health, especially when the city is in a public health crisis". [92] In a statement two days later, Harrell said, "even though I only removed my mask for dining and brief intervals for photographs with friends and community leaders, I understand that people in public life will and should be held to high standards". [92] Locke, Matta, and Mohamad all commented on the story as well: Locke said he tried to wear his mask the whole time but nobody is perfect, Matta that the venue was big enough for everyone to be safe but they were still cautious, and Mohamad that he only removed his mask to eat and some photos.

Barnett, who publicly criticized the event, was also set to be moderator for a forum hosted by the Queen Anne Community Council between Harrell and other mayoral candidates. [92] According to Barnett, Harrell's campaign threatened to withdraw from the forum unless she was removed as a moderator, which she eventually was. This drew a round of criticism, with Gonzalez saying at that forum, "It's my understanding this journalist was one of the first to report on my opponent's decision to host a very large maskless indoor fund-raiser in violation of King County's public health mandate". [92] Harrell responded that he "had no discussions with Barnett but the question was posed, why was she the person to host us." [92]

Leaked excerpts from homelessness meeting with Seattle Police Department

In August 2022, as Harrell was implementing and pushing his "One Seattle'' plan to fight homelessness, excerpts from a meeting with the Seattle Police Department were leaked to the radio station 770 KTTH. [93] In the leaks, he said that "no one has a right to sleep on the streets" and that the "authority" was "working against" his efforts to address homelessness, criticized the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, and vowed to work against "inexperienced" City Council members. [94] In later comments he acknowledged his statements, and did not disavow them, but used more "diplomatic" language, according to the Seattle Times. [94] In those comments he also said he had a right to "criticize what he sees" but that he would call anyone who might be offended by his leaked remarks. [94] Lisa Daugaard, the director of the Public Defender Association and overseer of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, a program to provide care for those who break the law due to extreme poverty, said that its relationship with Harrell was still "in good shape". [94] King County Regional Homelessness Authority CEO Marc Dones did not directly address Harrell's remarks but stated their belief in the Homelessness Authority's work. [94] First-term City Councilmember Andrew Lewis noted that he did not believe the comments meant there would be any substantive changes with the mayor and the council, and that he had no concerns over the remarks. [94]

1996 Arrest at Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa

On the night of September 27, 1996, Harrell flashed a gun in a Council Bluffs casino parking lot in response to a dispute. [95] [96] [97] [98]

Rose Sanchez recalls Harrell, in a red Jeep Cherokee, slowly driving past her, her husband Jose, and her mother, pointing a handgun at them; after confronting them over a disputed parking spot. [95] A casino employee and a police officer backed up the Sanchezes’ account at the time. The casino staffer, speaking anonymously to KUOW, said they saw Harrell holding a handgun in his Jeep. Harrell acknowledges “displaying” a firearm but denies pointing it at anyone. [95] In contemporary media interviews and statements to the outlet, he claimed the Sanchezes may have mistaken his watch or phone for a gun. [95] At the time, Harrell told reporters he had been carrying the weapon for protection due to death threats he had received following his housing board nomination. [95] [98] It was not common for people to carry portable phones in 1996.

Casino security was alerted, and law enforcement responded shortly after 12:30 a.m. Harrell initially downplayed the situation, but a subsequent search of his vehicle revealed an unloaded .25 caliber Raven semi-automatic pistol and a clip with four bullets. [95] [98] Harrell was arrested and booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail on three charges: aggravated assault, interference with official acts, and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit—each an aggravated misdemeanor carrying a possible two-year jail sentence and thousands in fines. [95] [96] [97] [98]

The charges were dismissed six months later in what County Prosecutor Rick Crowl described as an “unofficial deferred prosecution.” [95] [96] [97] [98] According to Crowl, Harrell was required to apologize to the arresting officers. [95] [96] Crowl also cited Harrell's claim that he felt threatened by “a Hispanic group” as a reason for his decision to drop the case. [95] A letter written by Crowl in 2024 described Harrell's display of the weapon as “non-threatening” and the incident as “minor.” [95] No formal lawsuit emerged from the event, though Harrell reportedly retained legal counsel and claimed his constitutional rights had been violated due to racial profiling. [95] [96] [97] [98] The matter, according to Harrell's office, was resolved without financial settlement. [95] [96] [97] [98]

Personal life

Harrell and his wife Joanne married in 1992; they have three children and live in Seward Park. [99]

In 2022, Harrell was honored by Gold House (which honors those of Asian Pacific descent). The organization honored him and fellow mayors Aftab Pureval and Michelle Wu as having made the "most impact" in the field of advocacy and policy. [100]

Electoral history

2007 election

Seattle City Council Position 3, Primary Election 2007 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Venus Velazquez 31,554 43.72%
Nonpartisan Bruce Harrell 20,520 28.43%
Nonpartisan Al Runte9,39713.02%
Nonpartisan John E. Manning 5,6657.85%
Nonpartisan Scott Feldman4,8106.66%
Nonpartisan Write-in2230.31%
Turnout 84,03825.03%
Registered electors 335,746
Seattle City Council Position 3, General Election 2007 [20]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Bruce Harrell 80,839 59.88%
Nonpartisan Venus Velazquez53,53939.66%
Nonpartisan Write-in6260.46%
Majority27,30020.22%
Turnout 159,12047.46%
Registered electors 335,276

2011 election

Seattle City Council Position 3, General Election 2011 [25]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Bruce Harrell 96,978 61.05%
Nonpartisan Brad Meacham61,13838.49%
Nonpartisan Write-in7370.46%
Majority35,84022.56%
Turnout 197,52452.87%
Registered electors 373,630

2013 mayoral election

Mayor of Seattle, Primary Election 2013 [47]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Ed Murray 42,314 29.85%
Nonpartisan Mike McGinn 40,501 28.57%
Nonpartisan Peter Steinbrueck 22,91316.16%
Nonpartisan Bruce A. Harrell21,58015.22%
Nonpartisan Charlie Staadecker6,2884.44%
Nonpartisan Doug McQuaid2,5461.80%
Nonpartisan Kate Martin, planner2,4791.75%
Nonpartisan Mary Martin, factory worker1,4981.06%
Nonpartisan Joey Gray1,3180.93%
Nonpartisan Write-in3340.24%
Turnout 144,30634.95%
Registered electors 412,847

2015 election

Seattle City Council District 2, Primary Election 2015 [28]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Bruce Harrell 8,066 61.72%
Nonpartisan Tammy Morales 3,223 24.66%
Nonpartisan Josh Farris1,72513.20%
Nonpartisan Write-in550.42%
Turnout 13,25826.81%
Registered electors 49,450
Seattle City Council District 2, General Election 2015 [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Bruce Harrell 9,532 50.79%
Nonpartisan Tammy Morales 9,18848.96%
Nonpartisan Write-in460.25%
Majority3441.83%
Turnout 19,86639.74%
Registered electors 49,987

2021 mayoral election

Mayor of Seattle, Primary Election 2021 [53]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Bruce Harrell 69,612 34.00%
Nonpartisan Lorena González 65,750 32.11%
Nonpartisan Colleen Echohawk21,04210.28%
Nonpartisan Jessyn Farrell 14,9317.29%
Nonpartisan Arthur Langlie11,3725.55%
Nonpartisan Casey Sixkiller6,9183.38%
Nonpartisan Andrew Grant Houston5,4852.68%
Nonpartisan James Donaldson 3,2191.57%
Nonpartisan Lance Randall2,8041.37%
Nonpartisan Clinton Bliss1,6180.79%
Nonpartisan Omari Tahir-Garrett3910.19%
Nonpartisan Bobby Tucker3770.18%
Nonpartisan Henry Dennison3470.17%
Nonpartisan Stan Lippmann3230.16%
Nonpartisan Don Rivers1890.09%
Write-in 3860.19%
Total votes206,814 100.00
Mayor of Seattle, General Election 2021 [61]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Bruce Harrell 155,294 58.56%
Nonpartisan Lorena González 109,13241.15%
Write-in 7770.29%
Total votes265,203 100.00

2025 mayoral election

Mayor of Seattle, Primary Election 2025 [101]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Katie Wilson 98,562 50.75%
Nonpartisan Bruce Harrell 80,043 41.21%
Nonpartisan Joe Mallahan8,5384.40%
Nonpartisan Ry Armstrong2,1201.09%
Nonpartisan Clinton Bliss2,0461.05%
Nonpartisan Isaiah Willoughby8170.42%
Nonpartisan Joe Molloy7990.41%
Nonpartisan Thaddeus Whelan7160.41%
Write-in 5880.3%
Turnout 198,07139.50%
Registered electors 501,438

See also

References

  1. ↑ Laws, Cindi (October 20, 2015). "The Case for Bruce Harrell". South Seattle Emerald. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  2. ↑ Beekman, Daniel (January 4, 2016). "New Seattle City Council sworn in Monday". The Seattle Times .
  3. 1 2 Beekman, Daniel (September 13, 2017). "City Council President Bruce Harrell becomes Seattle's 54th mayor; Ed Murray steps down". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  4. ↑ DeMay, Daniel (September 18, 2017). "Seattle council picks Burgess as new interim mayor". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  5. ↑ Vu, Carol N. (February 3, 2007). "Harrell makes run for City Council". Northwest Asian Weekly . Archived from the original on May 14, 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  6. ↑ Meyers, Georg N. (April 17, 1977). "Bruce found training ground for politics". The Seattle Times. p. H1.
  7. ↑ Heffter, Emily (July 23, 2013). "Mayoral contender Harrell inspired by his modest roots". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  8. ↑ Rockne, Dick (August 26, 1976). "Harvard lost Harrell to Huskies". The Seattle Times. p. D1.
  9. 1 2 "Bruce Harrell inducted to Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame", Northwest Asian Weekly , May 20, 2013
  10. ↑ University of Washington Department of Political Science Website http://www.polisci.washington.edu/Alumni/distinguished_alumni.html
  11. ↑ "Program Summary: Bruce Harrell, Candidate for Seattle Mayor, September 30, 2021". University Sunrise Rotary Club. September 28, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Cohen, Josh (May 15, 2025). "Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell to face 7 opponents in reelection bid | Cascade PBS". www.cascadepbs.org.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Pian Chan, Sharon (August 16, 2007). "Open City Council seat attracts five hopefuls in Seattle". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  14. ↑ St. Clair, Tim (June 19, 2007). "Ever vote for a candidate who is not a Democrat?". Westside Seattle. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  15. 1 2 "King County Official Final, Primary Election". King County Elections. September 9, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  16. 1 2 Modie, Neil (August 21, 2007). "Incumbents Clark, Godden win big; Velazquez, Harrell to face off". Seattle Post Intelligencer. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  17. ↑ Galoway, Angela (October 28, 2007). "Candidate's arrest adds new twist to City Council race". Seattle Post Intelligencer. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  18. 1 2 Sullivan, Jennifer (December 4, 2008). "Venus Velázquez, former Seattle candidate, not guilty of drunken driving". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  19. ↑ Pian Chan, Sharon (November 7, 2007). "Harrell, Burgess defeat Seattle City Council opponents". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  20. 1 2 "King County Official Final, General Election". King County Elections. November 27, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  21. 1 2 Feit, Josh (January 26, 2011). "Extra Fizz: Former Muni League Head to Challenge Harrell". Seattle Met. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 Hefter, Emily (October 27, 2011). "Seattle City Council, Position 3: Ex-journalist Meacham takes on incumbent Harrell". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  23. 1 2 "Seattle's Mini Mayors". Seattle Magazine. September 16, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  24. ↑ Hefter, Emily (November 8, 2011). "Seattle City Council incumbents leading". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  25. 1 2 "Elections Results - General and Special Election" (PDF). King County Elections. November 28, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  26. 1 2 Pagano, Jason; Wang, Deborah; Radill, Amy; Walker, Meghan (July 9, 2015). "Southeast Seattle: 'We Can't Afford To Live In Our Own City'". KUOW. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  27. 1 2 Crowther, Ben (August 6, 2015). "2015 Primary Election Analysis–Seattle". The Urbanist. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  28. 1 2 "Elections Results - Primary and Special Election" (PDF). King County Elections. August 17, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  29. ↑ Hyde, David; OConnell, Kate; McDermott, Kara (October 26, 2015). "A Question Of Public Safety In Seattle's District 2". KUOW. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Bruce Harrell wins Seattle's District 2 seat; Tammy Morales concedes". The Seattle Times. November 17, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Elections Results - General and Special Election" (PDF). King County Elections. November 24, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  32. ↑ Groover, Heidi (December 10, 2014). "What You Need to Know About Police Body Cameras". The Stranger. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  33. ↑ Feit, Josh (February 2, 2015). "Bruce Harrell's Fight For Body Cams". Seattle Met. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  34. ↑ Browning, Paige (July 17, 2017). "All police will wear body cameras in Seattle soon, despite bargaining talks". KUOW. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  35. ↑ Han, Young (June 24, 2014). "Analysis of Seattle City Council's Approval of Mount Baker Rezone". South Seattle Emerald. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  36. 1 2 Barnett, Erica C. (June 23, 2014). "Council Adopts Mount Baker Upzone, with Harrell Dissenting". Seattle Met. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Bruce Harrell Elected Seattle City Council President". The North American Post. January 7, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  38. ↑ Groover, Heidi (May 2, 2016). "In 5-4 Vote, City Council Kills Street Vacation for New Sodo Arena". The Stranger. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Seattle Arena: Council rejects vacating Occidental Avenue 5-4". King5. May 2, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  40. 1 2 3 4 Beekman, Daniel (January 8, 2019). "Bruce Harrell third incumbent who won't seek re-election to Seattle City Council". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  41. ↑ Brand, Natalie (September 13, 2017). "Harrell sworn in as acting Seattle mayor". King5. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  42. ↑ "With Ed Murray out as Seattle mayor, here's how his duties will be handled". The Seattle Times. September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  43. ↑ Beekman, Daniel (September 15, 2017). "Bruce Harrell turns down Seattle mayor's job, council will pick a replacement". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  44. 1 2 "Bruce Harrell Joins Crowded Race for Seattle Mayor". KUOW. January 16, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  45. 1 2 Thompson, Lynn (January 15, 2013). "Harrell joins mayor's race, calls McGinn's style ineffective". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Morning Fizz: McGinn Successfully Fends off Attacks in Latest Candidate Forum". Seattle Met. May 3, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  47. 1 2 "Elections Results - Primary and Special Election" (PDF). King County Elections. August 20, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  48. ↑ Barnett, Erica C. (September 5, 2013). "Harrell Endorses Murray; Murray Trashes McGinn on Public Safety". Seattle Met. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  49. ↑ Daniels, Chris (December 7, 2020). "Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan will not seek re-election, prompting reaction and speculation". King5. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  50. 1 2 "Bruce Harrell announces he is running for Seattle mayor". King5. March 16, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  51. ↑ Daniels, Chris (May 21, 2021). "Wide range of candidates file to become Seattle's next mayor in upcoming August primary". King5. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  52. ↑ "2021 Primary Election results for Seattle and King County: Pete Holmes falls to third". KUOW. August 3, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  53. 1 2 "Election Results". King County Elections. August 17, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  54. 1 2 Johnson, Gene (November 2, 2021). "Moderate candidates leading liberals in Seattle's top races". Associated Press. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  55. 1 2 Beekman, Daniel (July 15, 2021). "Endorsements roll in for Seattle mayoral, council races". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  56. ↑ "Former Council President Bruce Harrell leading Seattle's mayoral primary race". King5. August 3, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  57. 1 2 3 "Seattle mayoral candidate stops TV ad decried as racist". Associated Press. October 26, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  58. ↑ Brunner, Jim (October 23, 2021). "Black leaders call on Seattle mayoral candidate M. Lorena González to pull 'racist' ad saying Bruce Harrell sided with sex abusers". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  59. 1 2 Hyde, David (October 29, 2021). "Bruce Harrell, Seattle mayoral candidate, accused of trying to influence wage theft investigation at men-only social club". KUOW. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  60. ↑ "Bruce Harrell becomes mayor of Seattle New Year's Day". KIRO. January 2, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  61. 1 2 "Election Results – November 02, 2021" (PDF). King County Elections. November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  62. ↑ "Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell will run for reelection". KIRO. December 10, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  63. ↑ Oxley, Dyer (December 9, 2024). "Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is running for re-election in 2025". thankyou.kuow.org.
  64. ↑ "Live election results: Aug. 5 Seattle area primary". www.kuow.org. August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  65. ↑ Mallon, Elaine (August 6, 2025). "Seattle mayor faces battle after primary upset by progressive challenger Katie Wilson". KOMO. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  66. 1 2 Esteban, Michelle (August 6, 2025). "What's at stake as Seattle mayoral race heats up between Katie Wilson and Bruce Harrell". KOMO. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  67. ↑ Gans, Jared (August 13, 2025). "Progressives make inroads in key mayor's races". The Hill. Binghampton Homepage. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  68. ↑ Santos, Melissa (May 13, 2025). "Meet the 7 people challenging Bruce Harrell for mayor". Axios Seattle. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  69. ↑ Barnett, Erica C. (August 2, 2022). "Harrell Shakes Up Top Staff, Police Accountability Office Clears Officers Accused of Extortion". PubliCola. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  70. ↑ Taylor, Sarah Grace (August 1, 2022). "Seattle Deputy Mayor of External Relations Kendee Yamaguchi resigns". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  71. ↑ "Gino Betts announced as new director of Seattle's Office of Police Accountability". FOX 13 Seattle. July 19, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  72. ↑ Taylor, Sarah Grace; Green, Sara Jean (September 21, 2022). "Mayor Bruce Harrell appoints Adrian Diaz permanent Seattle police chief". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  73. 1 2 Barnett, Erica C. (May 29, 2024). ""Outstanding Leadership": Harrell Effusively Praises Embattled Police Chief Adrian Diaz While Announcing His Replacement". Publicola. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  74. ↑ Hiruko, Ashley (October 28, 2024). "Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz placed on paid leave amid watchdog investigations". KUOW. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  75. ↑ Cohen, Josh (December 17, 2024). "Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz fired by Mayor Harrell". Cascade PBS. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  76. ↑ Radil, Amy (May 29, 2025). "Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz sues city over firing, claims he faced retaliation". KUOW. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  77. ↑ Taylor, Sarah Grace (December 13, 2021). "Seattle Mayor-elect Harrell names niece deputy mayor, lists other appointments". Seattle Times . Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  78. 1 2 3 4 5 Hiruko, Ashley (March 14, 2025). "Monisha Harrell breaks silence on her uncle – and former boss – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell". KUOW. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  79. ↑ Taylor, Sarah Grace (June 20, 2023). "Mayor Harrell's niece out as senior deputy mayor". Seattle Times . Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  80. ↑ Santos, Melissa (May 22, 2023). "Seattle must legalize more quadplexes and sixplexes under new law". Axios Seattle. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  81. ↑ Markovich, Matt (July 27, 2022). "'We are not trying to displace anyone'; Mayor Harrell fields criticisms of homeless sweeps during heat wave". FOX 13 Seattle. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  82. ↑ "Seattle has tripled encampment removals". The Seattle Times. April 21, 2025. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  83. ↑ "A tale of two budgets: Slashing support to spend on sweeps". Archived from the original on August 26, 2025. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  84. ↑ Cohen, Josh (January 28, 2025). "Seattleites will vote on competing measures to fund social housing | Cascade PBS". www.cascadepbs.org.
  85. ↑ Robertson, Kipp (February 12, 2025). "Seattle voters approve Proposition 1A, pledging millions for social housing". King5. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  86. ↑ Kroman, David (July 15, 2022). "Confusion, miscommunication led to Seattle canceling 200,000 parking tickets". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  87. ↑ "Mayor Harrell proposes new, $1.45 billion transportation levy. Here's what it would cost homeowners". King5. May 3, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  88. ↑ Packer, Ryan (November 6, 2024). "Seattle Voters Approve $1.55 Billion Transportation Levy". The Urbanist. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  89. ↑ Ramirez, Quixem (September 22, 2022). "Mayor Harrell signs $6.5 million Green New Deal to reduce impact of climate change". King5. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  90. ↑ "Rantz: Mayor Harrell may 'embrace' some Trump immigration policies, support deporting criminals". My Northwest. December 19, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  91. 1 2 "Seattle mayor responds first time publicly to bombshell allegations of sexism in his office". My Northwest. March 19, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  92. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Seattle mayoral candidate Bruce Harrell posed for photos without mask at large event". The Seattle Times. October 10, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  93. ↑ "Rantz: Seattle mayor privately blasts homelessness groups, 'inexperienced' council". MyNorthwest.com. August 30, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  94. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Seattle mayor does damage control after leaked criticism of homelessness agency, City Council". The Seattle Times. August 31, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  95. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Hiruko, Ashley (March 3, 2025). "Woman says she was 8 months pregnant when Seattle Mayor Harrell pulled gun on her, leading to his 1996 arrest". KUOW. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  96. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kroman, David (February 19, 2025). "Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell was arrested in 1996. He says it was racial profiling". Seattle Times. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  97. 1 2 3 4 5 Didion, Alex (February 20, 2025). "Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell says 1996 arrest in Iowa shaped advocacy for 'police accountability'". King5. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  98. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell arrested in 1996 on weapons, assault charges". Fox13 Seattle. February 20, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  99. ↑ "'Enough is enough': Bruce Harrell says Seattle's fumbles prompted him to leave retirement, run for mayor". The Seattle Times. July 8, 2021. Harrell married his wife, Joanne Harrell, in 1992. She is a senior director at Microsoft and a University of Washington regent. They have three grown children and live in the Seward Park neighborhood.
  100. ↑ "A100 List". Gold House. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  101. ↑ "Election Results" (PDF). King County Elections. August 18, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
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Preceded by Mayor of Seattle
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2017		Succeeded by
Preceded by Mayor of Seattle
2022–present		Incumbent
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