First-term Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson has announced that he will seek a second term in office.
“I ran for mayor to ensure that Edmonds residents were heard and their priorities addressed,” said Nelson. “I am so proud of what we have since accomplished, investing in safety, health, opportunity and equity across our communities– protecting our quality of life and positioning our city for the future.”
Nelson was first elected in 2019 following four years on the Edmonds City Council. So far, he has one opponent. Retired business owner and former Edmonds Planning Board member Mike Rosen announced in early December he would be running for mayor. Assuming three or more mayoral candidates file for election in May, the primary election would be in August, with the top two candidates advancing to the November general election.
In a Monday morning news release announcing his relection campaign, Nelson pointed to public safety and addressing the homelessness crisis as areas of emphasis in his first term. He cited the hiring of new police officers and the city’s first female police chief and the expansion of human services, fire and first responder services.
“As mayor, I have made the health and safety of our city my priority,’ said Nelson. “We have funded seven more officers, improved training, and now require body cameras for more transparency and accountability. We have also hired two more firefighters per shift to improve response times, and created a new human services program with its own dedicated social worker to meet the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Nelson said that one way he is investing in neighborhoods is his work to make Edmonds streets more walkable and safe.
“I believe our city must adapt to the changing needs of our residents in how they use our roadways,” he said. “Prioritizing the building of more pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, quadrupling the pedestrian safety budget, starting a school speed enforcement program and proposing a new multi-use trail to connect our parks and schools demonstrate some of the actions I have taken to help our most vulnerable reach their destination unharmed.”
Describing himself as a longtime advocate for Edmonds’ unique downtown and small businesses, Nelson said he is especially proud of his work to protect businesses during the pandemic, and his support for local jobs and economic growth.
He noted the establishment of his “Walkable Main Street” initiative early in the pandemic, with the goal of providing a place where pedestrians can gather outdoors safely, and creation of outdoor dining areas “that helped keep our local restaurants going. “We are continuing many of these innovations in our downtown core, while investing in historically underserved areas like Highway 99, bringing jobs and encouraging business growth in the Uptown area. Building a city– and local economy– that works for all of us will continue to be my focus in the years ahead.”
Protecting Edmonds’ parks and open spaces, while engaging in bigger conservation issues like Puget Sound restoration and climate change, are parts of Nelson’s record that he hopes to build upon in a second term.
“Our parks and open spaces help define our city, and quality of life,” Nelson said. “I’m excited that we have not only improved existing parks and playgrounds, but identified new open space and park locations, and created a dedicated fund to secure them. I remain dedicated to a fully functional Edmonds Marsh that protects salmon and filters water, as well as implementing our city’s Climate Action Plan.”
The mayor also said he is committed to regional coordination and leadership, and will look to work more with local, county and state government partners to address issues related to growth, behavioral health and public safety in the coming years.
“I want to continue in this job because we are just getting started on so many important local projects and priorities,” Nelson said. “I’ve worked hard to build the trust and relationships needed to deliver resources to help our families and businesses, while addressing broader regional issues. I’m passionate about our Edmonds communities and the future of our city, and look forward to sharing my vision with voters in the months ahead, while always listening to the priorities and concerns of all of our residents.”
You can learn more at votenelson.org.
Change in Edmonds, begins with this Mayor. Remember the Waterfront Connector? The Mayor changed his vote to save the day? Although he was in charge of the committee for the connector? What about the Police Chief scandals? One stepping down, early retirement and one getting the Mayor’s recommendation and then having it pulled away, because of the color of his skin? And one candidate suing the City? What about the Police audit handpicked auditors, by the Mayor and his pack? The writing was on the wall, how that audit would go.
How about the communication director that stepped down because the Mayor would not communicate with her?
The scandals and failures of the Mayor are documented. Consider Nelson’s bullying of Council using the city community communications director, to write scathing reviews on his behalf of our Council.
I learned to thoroughly research candidates after experiencing Nelson. I hope you do your research too.
Drop the Mike, I give him a D as a city manager and a F as a leader. We can do so much better than this divisive man. Tax problems, business problems, 2 faced on the connector, back stabbing the right man for the job, attempt to make criminals out of law abiding citizens with emergency orders, a attempt to hire a unqualified police chief and the list goes on.
Shouldn’t Nelson step down in the name of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity?
…just sayin’
Thank you to all of our Edmonds neighbors who engage in city-council, mayoral and judiciary campaigns in 2023. Your devotion, stamina and intellect are why Edmonds is a great city. Running for local office takes guts, and I admire all those who’ve run and garnered votes, win or lose. If you don’t win, then you’ve pushed someone else to somehow be better than you and that’s no small task. May the best people win.
“I ran for mayor to ensure that Edmonds residents were heard and their priorities addressed,”
This is a joke, right? This is the same mayor who, to my knowledge, has NEVER responded to a single resident email or call. I can’t recall ever having a mayor here who is so DEEPLY unpopular. Looking forward to removing him from office come election time.
I think Edmonds can do better..don’t you?
Before you vote on this position, I urge all Edmond’s Citizens to take a real close look at who is on the various campaign committees and who (individuals and groups) that make public endorsements. Follow the influence and the money and you will know all you need to know about who to vote for. Remember this is supposed to be a totally non-partisan office per current state and municipal law.
Mayor Nelson has a proven track record…
of taking no accountability for his actions or of any of the messes he created. His track record goes on to include poor communication, a complete lack of transparency, encroaching on personal freedoms and for blaming his constituents for voicing any opposition.
While I appreciate when anyone steps up to serve, I’ll be looking for a new Mayoral candidate – one who can more effectively lead our city with transparency, integrity and in the true spirit of strengthening our community.
Mayor Nelson says he listens “to all concerns and priorities of all citizens”?
As pointed out earlier this is a nonpartisan position. I hope we can get a broad field of candidates this go around.
Good folks of Edmonds, we can do better!
“As mayor, I have made the health and safety of our city my priority,”
Really? A little over a year ago I was attacked at knife point in Edmonds on a city street. When I reached out to Nelson to share my experience (along with some suggestions) and my appreciation to the Edmonds Police Department for the way they handled the situation, he never responded. Completely silent after multiple attempts. One would think that if safety was a priority, he would want to hear from a victim’s perspective. From someone he is supposed to represent no less. He is no leader.
Perhaps the mayor would benefit from some Latin lessons.
Following one spectacular failure after another, repeat after me, Mike:
“Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa!”
Agreeing with the “follow the money” suggestion above by Clinton Wright, say it with me, Mike:
“Pecunia non olet!”
The Mayor, Mike Nelson is running again?? All I can say is, PLEASE DON’T!!!!!!!
I live in the same neighborhood as Mike. Talk about a person that is so oblivious to his neighbors, I’ve said hello in passing many times as he walks by. Never received a reply.