Cascade Endorses Five Champions for Seattle City Council

The Cascade Bicycle Club Board of Directors has endorsed five candidates for Seattle City Council:

1. Bruce Harrell, District 2
2. Rob Johnson, District 4
3. Halei Watkins, District 5
4. Mike O’Brien, District 6
5. Sally Bagshaw, District 7

Cascade has not yet endorsed in the other four Seattle City Council races.

Through written questionnaire, in-person interviews and demonstrated leadership for bicycling in their careers, the five endorsed candidates proved that they would be the strongest champions in their district for Cascade’s priorities. Citywide, Cascade is working (1) increase funding for creating safer streets and building out 250 miles of new protected bike lanes, neighborhood greenways and trails; and (2) reach Vision Zero of no traffic fatalities or serious injuries by 2030 by reengineering streets and increased traffic enforcement. Each of the endorsed candidates will be strong champions for these citywide priorities and Cascade’s priorities in their districts.

Bruce Harrell, District 2 Councilmember

Bruce Harrell has been a strong supporter for updating the Bicycle Master Plan (2014), and funding its implementation. Harrell is now championing the Seattle Department of Transportation’s current road safety corridor project to make Rainier Avenue S safer. We look forward to his continued leadership to make Rainier Avenue as safe as possible.

Rob Johnson, District 4

Currently the Executive Director of Transportation Choices Coalition, Rob Johnson has spent his career advocating for (and winning) more funding for transit, walking and biking. As a proven transportation leader, Johnson will be Seattle’s strongest champion for walking, biking and transit funding on city council if elected.

Halei Watkins, District 5

Halei Watkins, who has committed her career toward advocating on behalf of progressive causes, demonstrated through the endorsement process a clear commitment to Vision Zero and making North Seattle streets safer. Watkins will also be a champion for Northgate Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge that will connect North Seattle College to the future Northgate light rail station.

Mike O’Brien, District 6

Councilmember Mike O’Brien is the Seattle City Council’s strongest champion for transit and biking. Through his leadership positions on the council’s transportation committee, the Sound Transit Board, and regional transportation policy board, O’Brien has effectively reshaped transportation funding and policy in Seattle and across the region. We look forward to his continued leadership regionally and for the Ballard Bridge and Missing Link.

Sally Bagshaw, District 7

While Councilmember Sally Bagshaw is known as the biggest champion on city council for neighborhood greenways, she is also one of the biggest champions for protected bike lanes in downtown. Bagshaw’s support has been critical for building the city’s first twenty miles of greenways, a network that will continue to grow in the Queen Anne and Magnolia neighborhoods. Now we look forward to her leadership for creating bikeways that all people will feel safe riding in downtown Seattle.