Councilmember Rasmussen Will Not Seek Re-Election

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/23/2015

Councilmember Rasmussen Will Not Seek Re-Election

SEATTLECouncilmember Tom Rasmussen released the following statement regarding serving another term on the Seattle City Council:

“During the last several weeks I have been taking stock of the year ahead. I have determined that what is most important is focusing on the critical issues before the City Council, rather than being divided between a campaign and the work I want to accomplish.

“In this last year on the Council I will focus on:

  1. Fulfilling our commitment made during the Proposition 1 campaign to provide the best bus service we have ever seen in Seattle
  2. Finalizing Neighborhood Conservation District legislation to enable neighborhoods to have better control over growth and development
  3. Preparing and placing a comprehensive transportation measure (Bridging the Gap II) before the voters in the fall to improve our transportation network
  4. Creating a Greenspace Opportunity Fund to allow neighborhoods to purchase former City Light substation sites to preserve them as open spaces

“This has been a period of significant challenges and transformation for our City. I am proud to have played a role in ensuring that we have a vibrant community with a more diverse economy than we did a decade ago — while adhering to our values of social equity, open government and environmental stewardship.

“The actions I have taken and decisions I have made on the Council reflect my passion for collaborating with my colleagues and members of this community to provide creative solutions to our most challenging problems. In fact, working with such talented and caring individuals has been the most rewarding and exciting part of my tenure at City Hall.

“I want to recognize the leadership of Mayor Ed Murray, my Council colleagues, advocates and others who have helped give meaning and inspiration to my work, and the talented staff who have provided extraordinary support and guidance throughout my time in office.

“Since my first election, I’ve had the distinct honor to work on issues important to the people of Seattle — from transportation and the environment to affordable housing and human rights. It’s been a privilege to work hard on behalf of the City I love.

“But above all, I’m most proud of my work advocating for social justice and human rights for the LGBT community, senior citizens, at-risk youth, people with disabilities and refugees and immigrants.

“I am profoundly grateful to have served the people of Seattle for more than 25 years, both as a member of the City Council, as Director of the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens and for former City Councilmember Jeanette Williams. I’ve sought to contribute to Seattle in ways that I hope will be meaningful for future generations.

“This wasn’t an easy decision but, it is the right one. It is now time to direct my efforts toward the same causes I have always been most passionate about — in exciting new ways.

“There is much work to do in the year ahead to ensure the continued economic vitality of this region and the quality of life for all of our citizens.

“My partner Clayton and many dear friends have accompanied me on this journey. I am immensely grateful to them.”

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Tom Rasmussen began his public service career in Seattle as legislative aide to former Seattle City Councilmember Jeanette Williams. Tom worked on behalf of seniors as Deputy Director of Senior Services of Seattle-King County, Inc. and as the Director of the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens. He is a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Yakima County. Tom lives with his partner in the Alki neighborhood of West Seattle. He looks forward to continuing to serve the community in a variety of ways and to exploring more of the world by way of his bicycle.

[View in Council Newsroom]