Let’s Keep Bruce Fighting for the Seattle We Deserve

“Day by day, we have worked together to get our city back on the right track – restoring parks, reducing the crime rate, and getting downtown bustling again. I believe there’s a renewed spark and optimism that we are on the right trajectory.” – Mayor Bruce Harrell

Bruce is running for re-election to continue making the changes we need– building on a proven record of transformation to address current challenges of Trump-driven chaos and costs and the ongoing challenges of housing and childcare in our growing city. 

He is running to  build on the progress of his first term and take Seattle to new heights as “One Seattle.” His second-term vision focuses on bold action in the areas that matter most to Seattle’s future. Below is an overview of Bruce’s platform for the next four years – a plan to ensure Seattle is affordable, safe, healthy, and thriving for everyone:

Affordable Housing & Homelessness

Seattle’s affordability crisis demands continued urgent action so all our neighbors have a safe, stable place to live. Bruce’s plan will dramatically increase housing options across the city and redouble our efforts to reduce homelessness, with a focus on both compassion and results:

• Expand Housing Citywide: Implement the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan updates to allow more housing types in every neighborhood. Bruce will push to “legalize more housing in more places” – from backyard cottages to mid-rise apartments – especially near transit, jobs, and high-opportunity areas. By doubling Seattle’s housing capacity over 20 years, we can drive down costs and welcome new neighbors while preserving the unique character of our communities.
  
• Deliver Thousands of New Affordable Homes: Building on the success of the 2023 Housing Levy, the City will invest levy funds quickly and effectively to create at least 3,100 new affordable homes in the next seven years. Bruce will also continue leveraging state and federal dollars, private partnerships, and surplus public land (like the Fort Lawton project) to develop even more affordable housing – including permanent supportive housing for people exiting homelessness, senior housing, and homeownership opportunities for working families.
• Streamline Development & Cut Red Tape: To accelerate construction, Bruce will institutionalize the permitting reforms begun in his first term. This includes expanding “pre-approved” housing plans, simplifying zoning where possible, and extending successful measures like the downtown design review exemptions that are cutting years off building timelines. Faster approvals and clear rules will help get new housing built and occupied sooner.
• Reduce Homelessness with Compassion and Urgency: Bruce will continue to treat homelessness as an emergency – with a dual focus on urgent outreach and long-term solutions. He will expand the City’s Unified Care Team and partnerships with the Regional Homelessness Authority to connect more unsheltered people with shelter, treatment, and services. The goal is to bring even more people indoors using every tool from enhanced shelter and tiny house villages to permanent supportive housing. At the same time, the City will keep parks and public spaces clean and accessible, so no one has to live outdoors in inhumane conditions.
• Prevent Homelessness and Displacement: Bruce’s strategy also addresses root causes – scaling up rental assistance, eviction prevention, and housing stability programs (as funded by the housing levy). He will work with non-profit providers to keep people in their homes during hard times, and enforce stronger tenant protections so a job loss or medical bill doesn’t lead to life on the streets. In addition, his plan supports community-driven anti-displacement initiatives, so that long-time residents and communities of color can remain in the city even as neighborhoods grow.

Investing in Children and Youth

• Affordable Childcare for EVERY Family: Bruce is already working to greatly expand childcare and early learning access. When re-elected, he will build on this success to ensure every family has access to quality, affordable care that meets their budget and helps stabilize household costs.
• Reducing Gun Violence: While crime is down citywide, incidents of gun violence continue to impact kids and families. The first Seattle Mayor to hire executive level gun violence prevention staff, Bruce is committed to continuing community-led efforts to reduce violence, keep our schools and communities safe, and push statewide for stronger gun laws.
• Expanding Services and Support: Bruce ensured every young person in our city has access to behavioral health services; in a second term he will build on this foundation, expanding after school and summer learning, and providing mentorships and career opportunities through partnerships with colleges, businesses, and nonprofits committed to generational investment.

Community Health & Safety

Every Seattle resident deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood and to trust that help will be there in a crisis – whether it’s a crime, a fire, or a mental health emergency. Bruce’s vision for “Community Health and Safety” recognizes that true public safety comes from both effective, accountable policing and investments in prevention, treatment, and community well-being:

• Fully Staff and Reform the Police Department: Continue rebuilding the Seattle Police Department (SPD) with a focus on effective, constitutional policing. After halting the spike in attrition, Bruce will ensure SPD achieves its hiring goals – bringing on hundreds of new officers over the next few years to reach authorized staffing levels. He will appoint and support leadership (including new Police Chief Shon Barnes) committed to 21st-century reforms like the Seattle Centric Policing Plan initiative (an evidence-based strategy to proactively reduce crime hotspots). Training in de-escalation, bias-free policing, and crisis intervention will remain a priority. The goal is a well-resourced department that can respond swiftly to 911 calls, build community trust, and reduce violent crime across the city.
• Citywide Expansion of Alternate Crisis Response: Bruce will continue to expand the CARE Department so that mental health professionals respond to those in crisis in every neighborhood and at any time of day. In the next term, CARE teams (which launched in 2023) will grow in size and capability, handling more 911 calls involving mental health, addiction, or homelessness issues that don’t require armed police. This will ensure people in crisis get compassionate care and free up police officers to focus on serious crimes. Bruce will push for dedicated long-term funding for these responders and seek state support to embed more mental health clinicians and social workers in our emergency response system.
• Tackle the Opioid/Fentanyl Epidemic: Bruce’s approach to the drug crisis is two-handed – bold enforcement against traffickers and robust treatment for those struggling with addiction. In his second term, he will continue working with Seattle Police to shut down open-air drug markets and hold dealers accountable (including using the new public drug use law to divert people into treatment or sanctions). Simultaneously, Seattle will invest in expanded treatment options: supporting more detox and recovery bed capacity, scaling up the successful post-overdose outreach teams, and pioneering efforts like distributing life-saving medications (Naloxone and buprenorphine) to first responders. The goal is to build on the progress that saw overdose deaths drop in 2024, ultimately saving lives and ending street fentanyl use that is devastating our communities.
• Invest in Violence Prevention & Youth Safety: Recognizing that public safety is not just about enforcement, Bruce will grow programs that address root causes of violence. This means continued support for the Seattle Youth Safety Initiative and the Regional Peacekeepers Collective to intervene in cycles of gun violence. It also includes partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and community leaders to expand mentorship, after-school programs, job training, and mental health resources for at-risk youth. By providing positive pathways and addressing trauma, the aim is to stop violence before it starts. Every young person should have hope and opportunity, not the fear of violence.
• Enhance Emergency Response and Preparedness: Bruce’s plan calls for improving 911 call center capacity and exploring a unified dispatch system so calls get the right response (police, fire, or CARE) quickly. He will also invest in disaster preparedness and community-based resilience (for events like earthquakes or extreme weather) under the umbrella of public safety. This includes supporting Seattle’s firefighters and EMTs with the resources they need, and expanding community paramedic programs that proactively check on vulnerable residents. Public safety means being ready for any emergency that could impact our city’s health.

Transportation & Infrastructure

A growing Seattle needs a transportation system that is safe, reliable, and offers options for everyone – whether you drive, take transit, bike, or walk. Bruce’s second-term transportation agenda is about connecting the city: finishing critical projects, improving streets and bridges, and speeding up the expansion of mass transit:

• Accelerate Light Rail Expansion: Bruce is committed to getting Sound Transit’s Light Rail extensions built faster. As Mayor and a Sound Transit Board member, he will lead Seattle’s coordination to expedite the West Seattle-Ballard light rail lines. He’s already creating a new City office to focus on this and plans to issue executive actions to cut red tape, align permitting, and secure funding so that we open these lines earlier than current projections. Faster light rail will connect neighborhoods across Seattle with frequent, car-free transit – from West Seattle to Downtown to Ballard and beyond – easing commutes and reducing pollution.
• Deliver on Safer Streets & Vision Zero: With the $1.5 billion “Keep Seattle Moving” transportation levy now in place, Bruce will ensure these funds translate into visible improvements in every part of the city. That means repairing sidewalks and adding curb ramps to make walking safer for seniors and people with disabilities, filling potholes and repaving aging roads, and dramatically expanding protected bike lanes and neighborhood greenways. The goal is to eliminate serious injuries and deaths on our streets (Vision Zero), creating a city where pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers all can travel safely. Key projects – from completing the Burke-Gilman Trail’s Missing Link to traffic calming in high-collision corridors – will move forward with urgency.
• Improve Bus and Transit Reliability: Although King County Metro operates our buses, Seattle can take big steps to make transit more reliable and convenient. Bruce will invest levy dollars in transit priority – more bus lanes, transit signal priority at traffic lights, and dedicated bus right-of-way where needed. Building on the success of the RapidRide and Streetcar lines, the City will support new routes and extensions (like the planned RapidRide G on Madison). The mayor will also seek to expand ORCA opportunities for youth and low-income riders, pushing toward fare-free transit for Seattle Public Schools students to instill a transit-riding culture early.
• Modernize Bridges and Infrastructure: Seattle’s bridges and basic infrastructure have suffered from under-investment. Bruce will continue the aggressive maintenance schedule started in his first term – ensuring bridges like the University Bridge, Ballard Bridge, and Magnolia Bridge are monitored, repaired, or replaced as needed before they become safety risks. After the successful West Seattle Bridge reopening, he knows proactive attention is critical. Bruce will also champion seismic upgrades for roads, water systems, and other infrastructure to make Seattle more resilient in the face of earthquakes and climate impacts.
• Promote Pedestrian-Friendly Neighborhoods: In line with climate goals and community requests, Bruce envisions a more people-friendly city. He will advance projects like the Pike Place Market “Waterfront-to-Market” pedestrianization – making our iconic market fully walkable by limiting cars. He’ll look to replicate curb-space innovations (like pedestrian-only streets or curb bulb plazas) in neighborhood business districts where it boosts safety and commerce. Overall, the transportation plan centers on giving Seattleites convenient, green alternatives to driving, while still maintaining our roads for commerce and freight.

Climate Action & Environmental Sustainability

Bruce believes Seattle must continue to lead on the climate crisis and protect our priceless natural environment for future generations. His environmental platform builds on the ambitious steps taken so far (like cleaner buildings and expanded transit) and pushes for comprehensive sustainability and resilience:

• Achieve a Clean Energy City: Bruce will work to implement Seattle’s new Building Emissions Performance Standard on a rapid timeline – helping owners of commercial and multifamily buildings transition off fossil fuels to efficient electric systems. He will expand incentives and financing tools for clean energy retrofits (such as heat pumps and solar panels) so that even older buildings and homes can affordably decarbonize. The City’s own facilities will lead by example, moving toward 100% clean energy usage well before state deadlines. Additionally, Bruce supports City Light’s efforts to modernize the grid and pursue emerging technologies (like geothermal or district energy systems) to reach Seattle’s goal of carbon neutrality.
• Green Transportation & Clean Air: Transportation is our largest source of emissions, so the Bruce administration will aggressively promote electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean mobility. In the next term, Seattle will greatly expand EV charging infrastructure on city streets and in public garages, targeting a network that makes it easy to own an EV even without a private driveway. Bruce will continue pushing for electrification of city fleets (transit buses, garbage trucks, and police vehicles) and incentivize freight and delivery companies to go electric. At the same time, by improving transit, walking, and biking options (see above), Seattle will give residents climate-friendly choices to get around. These steps will cut emissions and also reduce air pollution, leading to healthier lungs for our kids and seniors.
• Protect and Grow Urban Green Spaces: Even as Seattle grows, Bruce is committed to preserving our green character – from parks to tree-lined streets. He will implement the new tree protection ordinance to curb unnecessary removal of mature trees and require replacements when development does remove canopy. The goal is to increase Seattle’s tree canopy (currently about 28%) in the coming years, aiming toward the City’s 30% canopy cover target for improved air quality, shade, and stormwater management. Bruce’s plan also calls for acquiring and developing new parkland in underserved areas, continuing the restoration of our waterfront and creeks, and supporting community gardens and urban farming programs (building on the healthy food initiatives from term one).
• Community-Driven Climate Justice: In line with Seattle’s Green New Deal values, Bruce will ensure that those most impacted by climate change – low-income families, communities of color, and youth – have a strong voice in solutions. He’ll continue to back the Climate Justice Fund and other community-directed investments that, for example, help retrofit homes in frontline communities, install air conditioning in senior centers for extreme heat events, or subsidize solar panels for non-profits. Bruce will also fight for climate resiliency measures: upgrading community centers as cooling shelters, expanding urban tree canopy in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods, and protecting our city from wildfire smoke, sea-level rise, and other climate threats. By focusing on equity, Seattle’s climate action will not only reduce carbon but also address environmental disparities and create green jobs where they’re needed most.
• Leading by Example and Collaboration: Finally, Bruce will keep Seattle at the forefront of environmental leadership. He’ll actively participate in networks like C40 Cities and Climate Mayors, sharing best practices and bringing innovative ideas home. Regionally, he will collaborate with King County and neighboring cities on initiatives like salmon habitat restoration, regional transit-oriented development, and a cohesive response to Puget Sound’s water quality challenges. Under Bruce’s leadership, Seattle will strive to meet its ambitious goals (like net zero emissions by 2050) and inspire other cities to follow suit in saving our planet.

Thriving Economy & Good Jobs for All

A thriving Seattle requires a strong, inclusive economy – one that supports small businesses, attracts innovation, and creates family-wage jobs in every community. Bruce’s economic vision centers on inclusive growth: helping downtown recover, lifting up neighborhood business districts, and ensuring workers share in prosperity through fair wages and labor rights:

• Fuel Downtown Recovery: Bruce will continue to marshal resources and partnerships to keep downtown Seattle on the rise. In his next term, he plans to expand the Downtown Activation Team approach that proved effective in the Pike-Pine corridor (where priority crime calls fell and foot traffic increased). This means sustained emphasis on public safety, cleaning, and events downtown. He’ll launch new promotions and arts/culture events to draw office workers, residents, and tourists into the urban core – building up to marquee moments like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics trials. Additionally, Bruce supports converting underused downtown office space into housing or educational uses, to diversify and energize downtown for the long term.
• Support Small Businesses Citywide: Small businesses are the backbone of Seattle’s neighborhoods. Bruce will make permanent the Small Business Advocates program, giving entrepreneurs a one-stop shop at City Hall for help with permits, licenses, and problem-solving. He will also replenish grant programs like the Storefront Repair Fund and pandemic recovery grants to help shops and restaurants thrive through challenges. Another priority is reforming the city’s business tax and fee structures to be more small-business-friendly (for example, examining relief from the JumpStart payroll tax for very small firms or startups). Bruce’s goal is for entrepreneurs in every neighborhood – from Rainier Valley to Ballard – to feel Seattle is the best city to start and grow a business.
• Invest in Workforce Development & Education: To ensure Seattleites can fill the good jobs being created, Bruce will partner with labor unions, community colleges, and industries on workforce training programs. This includes expanding apprenticeships (as promised through Community Workforce Agreements) in fields like construction, clean energy, and tech. It also means supporting programs for youth – such as the Seattle Promise, which provides two years of free community college to Seattle Public Schools graduates – so that our young people can gain skills debt-free. Bruce will seek to increase enrollment and awareness of Seattle Promise, and connect graduates to internships and jobs with Seattle employers. By investing in human capital, the city can grow a diverse middle class for the future.
• Champion Workers’ Rights and Fair Wages: Expect Bruce to remain a champion for workers. In a second term, he will push for stronger labor standards, such as exploring a local requirement for prevailing wages on big private projects that get city support, and enforcing Seattle’s paid sick leave, minimum wage, and gig-worker laws to the fullest. He will oppose any “right to work” or anti-union legislation, and use the platform of the Mayor’s office to support union organizing efforts – just as he’s walked picket lines and penned letters of support in the past. Bruce believes when workers thrive, Seattle thrives, and he will ensure the city sets an example as a model employer with equitable, inclusive workplaces.
• Foster Innovation and New Industries: Bruce’s pro-opportunity approach isn’t just about existing companies – it’s also about the future economy. He will continue to foster Seattle’s role as a hub for innovation in technology, biotech, clean energy, and manufacturing. His administration will work to attract and grow industries that align with Seattle’s values, for example: supporting startups in climate tech, partnering with the University of Washington on R&D initiatives, and advocating for the growth of unionized green manufacturing (like offshore wind components or electric vehicles) in our industrial lands. By leaning into innovation, Seattle can create thousands of new good-paying jobs while solving global challenges.

One Seattle: Equity, Inclusion & Community

At the heart of Bruce’s vision is the idea of One Seattle – a city where everyone is included, and we stand together against hate and division. His platform prioritizes equity and social justice not as an afterthought, but as a lens through which every policy is developed. In his second term, Bruce will:

• Protect Seattle’s Progressive Values: Seattle must remain a welcoming sanctuary city. Bruce will fiercely oppose any federal or state policies that threaten the rights and livelihoods of our residents. This includes defending the rights of immigrants and refugees (regardless of documentation status), LGBTQ+ individuals – especially trans and nonbinary people – women’s reproductive rights, and voting rights. Bruce has already directed that no city resources be used to enforce cruel federal immigration laws, and he joined lawsuits to block funding cuts to sanctuary cities. That unwavering stance will continue: Seattle will use every legal tool to stand up to extremists and ensure all our neighbors feel safe and supported here.
• Advance Racial Equity and Social Justice: Bruce will reinvigorate Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI), updating it for modern challenges. This means setting measurable goals for closing racial disparities in key areas like housing, income, education, and health. Each City department under his leadership will have equity action plans, and progress will be reported transparently to the public. Bruce will also invest in BIPOC-led organizations and initiatives – from expanding contracting opportunities for minority-owned small businesses to funding culturally responsive health and youth programs. As Seattle’s first Black and Asian American mayor, Bruce brings lived experience to these efforts, and he will continue to lead difficult conversations on institutional bias while focusing on tangible outcomes.
• Inclusive Government & Workforce: In a second term, Bruce will ensure the city’s workforce and leadership reflect the diversity of the community. He will push for greater diversity in City hiring, promotions, and appointments, with an emphasis on equitable pay and advancement for women and people of color in all departments. Additionally, he will further enhance training for City staff on implicit bias, anti-harassment, and ADA accessibility to foster an inclusive workplace. An inclusive City government will be better equipped to understand and serve the needs of all Seattle residents.
• Community Engagement & Empowerment: Bruce knows that City Hall doesn’t have all the answers – the community often does. He will expand upon initiatives like the One Seattle Day of Service, which in past years mobilized thousands of volunteers to clean parks and support neighbors. He will also strengthen the City’s community liaison and neighborhood outreach programs, making sure that voices from every zip code are heard in the policy process. By empowering community decision-making and maintaining open dialogues (town halls, listening sessions, etc.), Bruce will ensure Seattle’s government is not just for the people, but truly by the people.
• Celebrate Arts, Culture, and Unity: Part of building One Seattle is celebrating what brings us together. Bruce will champion investments in arts, music, sports, and cultural events that enrich our city’s soul. This includes support for expanding all-ages arts programming, securing funding for cultural districts and landmarks (from the Chinatown-International District to LGBTQ+ heritage sites on Capitol Hill), and partnering with schools and nonprofits to amplify youth voices through art and civic projects. By lifting up Seattle’s rich tapestry of cultures and communities, we strengthen the bonds between us. Every Seattleite should feel pride in our city and see themselves reflected in its story.

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s platform is about moving Seattle forward, together. It’s a vision of a city that is affordable for all, safe and healthy, economically vibrant, environmentally sustainable, and deeply inclusive. Bruce’s first term delivered real results – from lower crime and fewer encampments to historic housing investments – and he understands the challenges ahead. His proven leadership, rooted in collaboration and common values, will be crucial to tackle what’s next. With a second term, Bruce is committed to turning bold ideas into on-the-ground results – and ensuring Seattle reaches its brightest future as One Seattle.