Nelson launches mayoral campaign with call for new path, focus on citizens

Calling for a new direction and a new path for Edmonds, two-term City Councilmember Mike Nelson officially kicked off his mayoral campaign in a well-attended Wednesday evening event at the Salt & Iron restaurant in downtown Edmonds.

“I believe our city is ready for a new direction and new path,” he said. “I believe I am the person. We’ve been investing in a lot of other things, and we really need to focus back on our citizens. I’ve been listening to our community, and our community is looking for change. I hope to be part of that.”

The evening included a short program featuring remarks by Edmonds City Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Snohomish County Council Chair Terry Ryan, and Salt & Iron owner Shubert Ho.

So far, Nelson is the only declared candidate for mayor. Current Mayor Dave Earling isn’t running for re-election in November.

“If I’ve learned one thing in my 17 years on the Mill Creek Council and six years on the Snohomish County Council, it’s that we can’t go it alone,” said Ryan.  “Those days are over. Today we need to partner. I see great opportunities for Edmonds in economic development. I know Mike will make a very good partner, and I look forward to working with him toward that end.”

“Welcome to our house,” remarked Shubert Ho. “We’re a small family operation here in Edmonds. Despite this, Mike was the only councilmember to actively reach out to us and specifically ask our opinion of an action that was under consideration by council. No one else on council had ever done that. Mike is a new generation of politics for the City of Edmonds who’ll bring reliability and accountability. He’s the right guy for the job.”

“I’m in awe of everyone who’s here tonight,” Nelson began. “We live in a special place with great places to eat and shop, lovely parks and beaches, a strong arts community, good schools where every child is loved, and charities are generously supported.

“We also have the best Little League team in the state,” he added to much applause.

“But we face challenges,” he stressed. “We have homes that our children will never be able to afford to own, a salt marsh that our salmon cannot access, a workforce where eight out of ten workers commute to jobs outside our city, schools practicing with our babies every week to prepare for an active shooter, and parents who work full time paying for child care that costs more than their mortgage.

“I believe we can do better,” he continued. “It’s time to prioritize our citizens. It’s time for a new path where every street is safe for pedestrians to walk, where every child has a roof over their head, where every school educates for our future, where every energy source we use helps our climate, where businesses create more jobs, less traffic and more time with our families.”

He went on to propose his vision to achieve these through measures including child care tax credits, property tax relief for senior and disabled citizens, small business incentives, federal and state infrastructure grants and public and private partnerships.

“These are all things that lift people up by creating a foundation based on community involvement and investment,” he said. “The foundation is us.”

Learn more at the Mike Nelson for Mayor website.

— Story and photos by Larry Vogel

  1. “He went on to propose his vision to achieve these through measures including child care tax credits, property tax relief for senior and disabled citizens, small business incentives, federal and state infrastructure grants and public and private partnerships.” If Mr. Nelson manages to get the city council to approve all of this stuff the result will be even higher taxes for most residents of Edmonds. Like my father use to tell me: “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”

  2. Unfortunately I was unable to attend, but reading Mike’s remarks (along with his outstanding record as a city Councilmember) shows me he has a very strong handle on the concerns of citizens, holds a positive vision for our city’s future, seeks diverse opinions, and works hard. Edmonds is lucky he has thrown his hat in the ring!

  3. Mike Nelson has many great ideas for improving the quality of life for all in Edmonds, but he is also very aware of the burden that high property taxes place on many and recognizes the importance of fiscal responsibility. During Council’s November 27th deliberations on the motion to adopt the regular property tax with a 0% increase, Nelson stated he would vote no because he preferred to take it a step further by reducing property taxes by 1%. He said he believes property owners have been carrying this burden too long and deserve some relief.

  4. A 1% decrease in property tax proposal is a joke. Nelson should put a 10% tax cut on the table. That way, any property valuation increases will be offset, at least temporarily.

  5. A 1% decrease in property tax assessed by City of Edmonds comes out to $7.13 with my current property tax bill. That’s really funny. Thank you for giving me a laugh.

  6. 1%, 10%, 50% reduction, whatever it is, I’ll take it. As to Nelson’s qualifications and ideas, that’s all a moot point unless someone else runs against him. It’s definitely time for some new blood and new thinking for the ‘ol Gem of Puget Sound.

  7. I think you miscalculated Allen. Your property tax bill couldn’t be $713.00 could it? I’m guessing you meant $71.30, which still may not seem like a lot to you, but I’ll gladly take it. My main point, though, is that Mike Nelson is aware of the property tax burden many are feeling and has gone on public record as opposing any increase. Our job as citizens is to hold him to his word.

    1. No, The calculation is correct. The City can only control it’s portion of the tax bill, not the State,County or School,Port, Library, other assessments, or voter approved ones. The point is it is minuscule offer. I hope you are right that Mike Nelson is aware of the property tax burden many are feeling and has gone on public record as opposing any increase.

      1. Nelson’s opposition to any tax increase is somewhat disingenuous, because he’s running for mayor and it’s the city council that determines Edmonds property taxes.

        1. Unless the City Council passes a tax increases by a super majority, the Mayor has the option to Veto the resolution vote, is that not correct Ron?
          Nothing disingenious about that.

          Anyone is better than Dave Earling.

  8. Let’s see who files by May in the race for Mayor. I personally like Mr. Nelson, but unlike the race for his council seat, of which he was appointed and then ran un-opposed, it would be great to see Mike’s ideas tested, challenged, and debated for the mayoral position.

    1. Actually, Mr. Schindler, I think you may have missed an election, or at least forgot about one. I remember voting for Mike Nelson twice now, and I’m positive he had an opponent in that first election in 2015. That can be easily verified by county records.

      1. Nikki, I may be mistaken, “Nelson was appointed to a vacant council seat in 2015 and won an election to a short term that year. He was re-elected without opposition in 2017.” His last election he ran un-opposed. I’d like to see a debate this go-around.

  9. I truly did forget that election. I stand corrected. Those who follow politics know that Al, while he has made contributions in some circles, didn’t stand much of a chance. While I don’t want to diminish that election, Mike was a shoe-in. I would love to see a formidable candidate run against Mr. Nelson so we can evaluate the best candidate and ideas for the city.

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