Election 2011: Meet Richard Mitchell, Candidate for King County Council District 6

Richard Mitchell

Where do you work and what is your job title?

Summit Law Group, LLC. Member & Co-Chair, Real Estate Asset Group

Where do you live now and how long have you lived there?

Mercer Island since 2004

Spouse or domestic partner if any: Dawn Mitchell

Children: 3

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):

• Syracuse University College of Law, J.D. , May 1995
• Univ. of Michigan College of Architecture & Urban Planning Master of Urban Planning, M.U.P., May 1992
• Cornell Univ. College of Art, Architecture & Urban Planning Bachelor of Architecture, B. Arch., Honors, May 1989

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:

CIVIC & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Board of Regents, Seattle University, 2009 – Present; Board Member, Tabor 100, Director of Governmental Affairs 2009 – 2010; Board Member, International Community Health Services Foundation 2007 – 2009; Board Member, Initiative for Diversity Governing Council (Chair, 1/07-5/07) 2006 – 2008; Board Member, A Better Chance, Inc. (National Advisory Board) 2004 – 2006; Board Member, Zion Preparatory Academy Foundation 2000 – 2002; Board Member, Environmental Works, Community Architecture Firm 1999 – 2000; Board Member, Washington Low Income Housing Network 1995 – 1999.

COMMISSIONS, AUTHORITIES & TASK FORCES

Commissioner, King County Housing Authority (Exec. Constantine Appt.) 2010 – Present; Member, Gov. Christine Gregoire’s Taskforce on Disaster Recovery 2007 – 2008; Member, Gov. Christine Gregoire’s Taskforce on Homeowner Security 2007 – 2008; Governor’s Designee, Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority 2005 – 2008; Governor’s Designee, Washington Health Care Facilities Authority 2005 – 2008; Governor’s Designee, Washington State Housing Finance Commission 2005 – 2008; Member, Seattle Landmarks Preservation Commission (Mayor Schell Appt.) 2000 – 2001.

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy? No.

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation? No.

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Elected: N/A

Other campaigns for public office: N/A

THIS CAMPAIGN:

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I believe the Eastside is at a crossroads, and needs strong leadership with integrity to address a range of regional issues including: transit, light rail, health and human services, public safety, land use management and the environment. As a lawyer trained in architecture and urban planning, with an extensive public service background working collaboratively on solving issues, I believe I have the right experience to be that leader.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?

1. Prioritize county funding: We must prioritize and focus on effectively providing

essential services, while scrutinizing other services that can be better served at the municipal level. 2. Find a stable funding source for Metro Transit and end the roller coaster budgeting that puts our county’s transit services in jeopardy.

3. Put funding for the law and justice programs at the top of our essential services lists. Criminal activity destroys our way of life and economy; we must be able to prosecute criminal activity that threatens our safety.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders?

I have three opponents in this election. Jane Hague, the incumbent, John Creighton, a sitting Port Commissioner, and Patsy Bonincontri, a former Bellevue City Councilmember.

My record is one of getting work done. I bring an unmatched record of integrity in my professionalism and personal life. I am not content to sit on my hands and punt tough decisions to someone else in order to avoid political backlash. Working across the aisle, across the conference table, or across partisan lines is something I’m not afraid of doing. When it comes to making the tough calls, I won’t sit on the sidelines.

Aside from their detailed and infamous personal histories, John and Jane have both made it a point to not take dedicated stands in support of the $20 Congestion Reduction Charge proposed by King County Executive Dow Constantine. I decided to support the Congestion Reduction Charge early before the Executive announced his proposal because not doing so would have force Metro to make drastic cuts that would affect everyone in King County, not just bus riders. Unfortunately, this situation is caused by a complete lack of leadership on how to properly fund Metro. After years of waste and stagnation, only now are we seeing the needed changes to make lines more efficient and cost-effective. This issue should have been settled years ago, but now we’re forced to choose between a bad situation and a worse one.

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election?

I expect to spend upwards of $300,000 on this campaign.

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Web site: http://www.ElectRichardMitchell.com

Email address: Richard@ElectRichardMitchell.com