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-My name is Jim Pugel,
and I'll be your next Council member
from District 7.
I grew up in a Rainier Valley home
and graduated from
the University of Washington,
served 35 years as a police officer
and a chief of police,
reducing non-violent incarceration
and speaking out against racial bias
and for practical solutions
to solve the opioid
and homelessness crisis.
I brought real hands-on experience
to public safety and human services
and a true understanding
of unique priorities
that are facing Council District 7.
I've worked
on complex neighborhood problems.
I've worked on the Law Enforcement
Assisted Diversion initiative
to get people off the streets
and into mental health,
addiction treatment,
and housing.
That program led to real results,
a 61% drop in recidivism
and more people housed and working.
We need a City Council
that gets and focuses
on data-driven solutions
and listens to the voters.
As a chief of police,
I managed a $250 million budget,
helped implement
the settlement agreement,
and pushed for needed reforms
in ways that were transparent and open.
If I can do that
at the Seattle Police Department,
I can do it with you at City Hall.
Transparency, accountability,
and honest communication
is what you deserve.
I'm running because experience, service,
and collaboration matters.
Most likely, I'll be
the oldest person on the City Council.
I'm doing this because
I love the city where I was born
and went to school and raised my family.
I want my children and grandchildren
to have that same life
where they can live and play
and work in this city,
buy an affordable house,
and send their kids
to highest-quality public education.
We need a Seattle
that works for everyone.
I promise to work every day
to be that voice
for unity and problem-solving.
The bottom line is that
we all know the issues --
homelessness and affordability.
But we need a City Council member
who has mature experience,
and I'm the only candidate
with that mature experience
that brings proven leadership
to the Council.