{{Short description|Former mayor of Seattle}} {{Use American English|date=November 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Bruce Harrell | image = Bruce Harrell (52457507483) (2).jpg | alt = Photograph of Bruce Harrell | caption = Harrell in 2022 | office = 54th and 57th Mayor of Seattle | term_start = January 1, 2022 | term_end = January 1, 2026 | predecessor = Jenny Durkan | successor = Katie Wilson | term_start1 = September 13, 2017 | term_end1 = September 18, 2017<br>Acting | predecessor1 = Ed Murray | successor1 = Tim Burgess | office2 = President of the Seattle City Council | term_start2 = January 5, 2016 | term_end2 = January 5, 2020 | predecessor2 = Tim Burgess | successor2 = Lorena González | office3 = Member of the Seattle City Council | term_start3 = January 3, 2008 | term_end3 = January 6, 2020 | predecessor3 = Peter Steinbrueck | successor3 = Tammy Morales | constituency3 = District 2 (2016–2020)<br>Position 3 (2008–2016) | birth_name = Bruce Allen Harrell | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|10|10}} | birth_place = Seattle, Washington, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | spouse = {{marriage|Joanne Harrell|1992}} | education = University of Washington (BA, JD)<br>City University of Seattle (MS) }} '''Bruce Allen Harrell''' (born October 10, 1958)<ref>{{cite news |last=Laws |first=Cindi |date=October 20, 2015 |title=The Case for Bruce Harrell |url=https://southseattleemerald.com/2015/10/20/the-case-for-bruce-harrell/ |work=South Seattle Emerald |access-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref> is an American politician and attorney who was the 54th and 57th mayor of Seattle. He was a member of the Seattle City Council from 2008 to 2020. From 2016 to 2020, he was president of the city council.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/new-seattle-city-council-sworn-in-monday/ |title=New Seattle City Council sworn in Monday |newspaper=The Seattle Times |first=Daniel |last=Beekman |date=January 4, 2016}}</ref> He was acting mayor of Seattle from September 13 to 18, 2017 following the resignation of Ed Murray.<ref name="Times-Mayor">{{cite news |last=Beekman |first=Daniel |date=September 13, 2017 |title=City Council President Bruce Harrell becomes Seattle's 54th mayor; Ed Murray steps down |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/bruce-harrell-to-take-oath-wednesday-as-seattles-next-mayor/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=DeMay |first=Daniel |date=September 18, 2017 |title=Seattle council picks Burgess as new interim mayor |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Seattle-council-picks-Burgess-as-new-interim-mayor-12206798.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> He was elected mayor in his own right in 2021, becoming the city's second African-American mayor and its first Asian-American mayor. In the 2025 Seattle mayoral election, he was defeated by progressive challenger Katie Wilson in his bid for reelection to a second term.
==Early life== Harrell was born in 1958 in Seattle, to an African American father who worked for Seattle City Light and a Japanese-American mother who worked for the Seattle Public Library. As a child during World War II, Harrell's mother was incarcerated with her family at Minidoka internment camp in Idaho.<ref name="NWAsian">{{cite news |last=Vu |first=Carol N. |date=February 3, 2007 |title=Harrell makes run for City Council |work=Northwest Asian Weekly |url=http://www.nwasianweekly.com/20072606/harrell20072606.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514060539/http://www.nwasianweekly.com/20072606/harrell20072606.htm |archive-date=May 14, 2007 |access-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref> Growing up, Harrell and his family lived in the Central District in Seattle in a minority neighborhood. He attended Garfield High School and played football there as a linebacker, being named to the all-Metro team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Meyers |first=Georg N. |date=April 17, 1977 |title=Bruce found training ground for politics |page=H1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> He captained the football team during his senior season, during which the team played in the 1975 Metro League championship. He was also named the most valuable player of his high school baseball and wrestling teams, and received nine varsity letters.<ref name="SPSHOF"/> He graduated from Garfield in 1976 as class valedictorian.<ref name="Times-2013">{{cite news |last=Heffter |first=Emily |date=July 23, 2013 |title=Mayoral contender Harrell inspired by his modest roots |page=A1 |url=http://www.seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2021450906_harrellprofilexml.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 12, 2017}}{{deadlink|date=October 2025}}</ref> Keith Harrell, fellow Garfield alumnus and Seattle college sports star, was his cousin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=Seattle Times |date=2010-10-20 |title=Keith Harrell, basketball star and motivational speaker, dies at 54 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituaries/keith-harrell-basketball-star-and-motivational-speaker-dies-at-54/ |access-date=2026-01-28 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
==College football career and post-secondary education== After high school, Harrell attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship, rejecting an offer to attend Harvard University.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rockne |first=Dick |date=August 26, 1976 |title=Harvard lost Harrell to Huskies |page=D1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> He played for the Washington Huskies football team from 1976 to 1979 and was named to the 1979 All-Pacific-10 Conference football team.<ref name=tentroj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tg0oAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5234%2C7357272 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Ten Trojans make All-Pac-10 team |date=November 28, 1979 |page=C1}}</ref><ref name=ptas>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lBVWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EeIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6559%2C8709258 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |title=Pac-10 All-Stars |date=November 28, 1979 |page=2D}}</ref> He received the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award, made the national Academic All-American First Team in football, and was named the Husky defensive player of the year.<ref name=nwasianweekly>{{citation |title=Bruce Harrell inducted to Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame | newspaper=Northwest Asian Weekly |date=May 20, 2013 |url=http://nwasianweekly.com/2013/05/bruce-harrell-inducted-to-pacific-northwest-football-hall-of-fame/}}</ref> In 2013, he was inducted into the NW Football Hall of Fame.<ref name="nwasianweekly" /> Harrell was a starting linebacker, and was named both a First-team Academic All-American. During his senior season in 1979, he led the team in tackles and the Huskies won the Sun Bowl.<ref name="SPSHOF">{{cite web |title=Bruce Harrell |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/bruce-harrell-1.html https://spsathletichalloffame.org/bruce-harrell-bio.htm |website=SPS Athletic Hall of Fame |access-date=September 4, 2025}}</ref>
Harrell graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He continued his education at the university and earned a Juris Doctor from the UW Law School in 1984. In 1994, he earned a master's degree in organizational design and improvement from City University of Seattle. Harrell received the University of Washington Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007 and its Timeless Award in 2012.<ref>University of Washington Department of Political Science Website http://www.polisci.washington.edu/Alumni/distinguished_alumni.html</ref>
==Early career== After attending law school, Harrell joined US West, now Lumen Technologies, in 1987. Harrell was chief legal advisor to the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, chief legal advisor to the First A.M.E. Church and First A.M.E. Housing Corporation, chief counsel to US West, and the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Zeta Pi Lambda chapter.<ref>{{cite web |title=Program Summary: Bruce Harrell, Candidate for Seattle Mayor, September 30, 2021 |date=September 28, 2021 |url=https://usrotary.org/program-announcement-bruce-harrell-candidate-for-seattle-mayor-september-30-2021/ |publisher=University Sunrise Rotary Club |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="PBS 2025 primary"/>
Harrell was nominated to the public housing board in Omaha in 1996. Harrell claimed to have received threats after his nomination by individuals preferring the appointment of someone who lived in public housing to the board seat.<ref name="Hiruko">{{cite web |last1=Hiruko |first1=Ashley |title=Seattle Mayor Harrell Misled Officer During 1996 Arrest: Police Report Unearthed |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-mayor-harrell-misled-officer-during-1996-arrest-police-report-unearthed |website=KUOW |access-date=2 September 2025 |language=en |date=March 3, 2025}}</ref> On the evening of September 27, 1996, Harrell allegedly pointed a gun at a man, his mother, and his pregnant wife, in a Council Bluffs casino in response to a parking dispute, which resulted in his arrest.<ref name="KUOW Iowa">{{cite news |last1=Hiruko |first1=Ashley |title=Woman says she was 8 months pregnant when Seattle Mayor Harrell pulled the gun on her, leading to his 1996 arrest |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/woman-pregnant-bruce-harrell-seattle-mayor-iowa |access-date=19 June 2025 |work=KUOW |date=March 3, 2025}}</ref><ref name="ST Iowa">{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell Was Arrested in 1996. He says it was racial profiling |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell-was-arrested-in-1996-he-says-it-was-racial-profiling/ |access-date=19 June 2025 |work=Seattle Times |date=February 19, 2025}}</ref><ref name="KING5 Iowa">{{cite news |last1=Didion |first1=Alex |title=Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell says 1996 arrest in Iowa shaped advocacy for 'police accountability' |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell-arrest-iowa-police-accountability/281-e7efbfa1-4dd6-429f-91a1-1d73bba0bb6e |access-date=19 June 2025 |work=King5 |date=February 20, 2025}}</ref><ref name="FOX13 Iowa">{{cite news |title=Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell arrested in 1996 on weapons, assault charges |url=https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/bruce-harrell-weapons-assault-charges |access-date=19 June 2025 |work=Fox13 Seattle |date=February 20, 2025}}</ref> At the time, Harrell told reporters he had only "displayed" his gun and had been carrying the weapon for protection due to death threats he had received following his housing board nomination. He did not have permit for gun in Iowa at the time of his arrest. <ref name="KUOW Iowa"/><ref name="FOX13 Iowa"/> Charges against Harrell were dismissed six months later in what County Prosecutor Rick Crowl described as an “unofficial deferred prosecution.”<ref name="KUOW Iowa"/><ref name="ST Iowa"/><ref name="KING5 Iowa"/><ref name="FOX13 Iowa"/> Crowl cited Harrell's claim of having felt threatened by "a Hispanic group" during the exchange as among his reasons for dropping the charges.<ref name="KUOW Iowa"/> According to Crowl, Harrell was required to apologize to the arresting officers.<ref name="KUOW Iowa"/><ref name="ST Iowa"/> A letter written by Crowl in 2024 described Harrell's display of the weapon as “non-threatening” and the incident as “minor.”<ref name="KUOW Iowa"/>
==Seattle City Council (2008–2020)== From 2008 to 2020, Harrell served as a member of the Seattle City Council, first in the city-wide Position 3 seat (2008–2016) and then in the south-end District 2 seat (2016–2020).
===Elections=== ====2007 election==== In 2007, councilmember Peter Steinbrueck chose not to run for re-election, which drew five challengers for the open seat, which included Harrell, former city councilmember John Manning, and former mayoral candidate Al Runte.<ref name="ST primary 1">{{cite news |last1=Pian Chan |first1=Sharon |title=Open City Council seat attracts five hopefuls in Seattle |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/open-city-council-seat-attracts-five-hopefuls-in-seattle/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 16, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=St. Clair |first1=Tim |title=Ever vote for a candidate who is not a Democrat? |url=https://www.westsideseattle.com/robinson-papers/2007/06/19/ever-vote-candidate-who-not-democrat |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Westside Seattle |date=June 19, 2007}}</ref> Prior to the primary election, Harrell and Venus Velázquez, a private public-affairs consultant, were the only candidates in the race to raise more than $100,000 and were considered front-runners.<ref name="ST primary 1"/> In the August primary, Velázquez came in first, earning 43.72% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Harrell, who earned 28.43%.<ref name="2007 primary results"/><ref name="SPI 2007 election">{{cite news |last1=Modie |first1=Neil |title=Incumbents Clark, Godden win big; Velazquez, Harrell to face off |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/incumbents-clark-godden-win-big-velazquez-1247343.php |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Seattle Post Intelligencer |date=August 21, 2007}}</ref>
Harrell focused his campaign on public safety, pushing for increased funding for the police and fire departments, with education being another top priority.<ref name="ST primary 1"/> Velázquez, who Steinbrueck endorsed, emphasised city growth without displacing low and middle-income individuals, and increasing affordability.<ref name="ST primary 1"/><ref name="SPI 2007 election"/> Velázquez was seen as a frontrunner in the election until weeks before the election, when she was arrested on suspicion of DUI.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Galoway |first1=Angela |title=Candidate's arrest adds new twist to City Council race |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/candidate-s-arrest-adds-new-twist-to-city-council-1253807.php |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Seattle Post Intelligencer |date=October 28, 2007}}</ref><ref name="ST VV">{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Jennifer |title=Venus Velázquez, former Seattle candidate, not guilty of drunken driving |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/venus-velzquez-former-seattle-candidate-not-guilty-of-drunken-driving/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=December 4, 2008}}</ref> Although she was later found not guilty in a jury trial, she stated her prosecution was politically motivated since the city attorney, Tom Carr, endorsed Harrell.<ref name="ST VV"/>
In the November general election, Harrell defeated Velázquez, 59.88% to 39.66%.<ref name="ST 2007 general">{{cite news |last1=Pian Chan |first1=Sharon |title=Harrell, Burgess defeat Seattle City Council opponents |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/harrell-burgess-defeat-seattle-city-council-opponents/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=November 7, 2007}}</ref><ref name="2007 general results"/>
====2011 election==== Harrell ran for reelection in 2011 and faced one challenger, Brad Meacham, a former financial journalist and chair of the Municipal League of King County.<ref name="SMet 2011 election">{{cite news |last1=Feit |first1=Josh |title=Extra Fizz: Former Muni League Head to Challenge Harrell |url=https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2011/01/extra-fizz-former-muni-league-head-to-challenge-harrell |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Seattle Met |date=January 26, 2011}}</ref><ref name="ST 2011 election">{{cite news |last1=Hefter |first1=Emily |title=Seattle City Council, Position 3: Ex-journalist Meacham takes on incumbent Harrell |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-city-council-position-3-ex-journalist-meacham-takes-on-incumbent-harrell/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 27, 2011}}</ref><ref name="SMag 2011">{{cite news |title=Seattle's Mini Mayors |url=https://seattlemag.com/food-and-culture/seattle-s-mini-mayors/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Seattle Magazine |date=September 16, 2011}}</ref>
Harrell ran on his work on the council overseeing Seattle City Light, pushing the utility to sell surplus property, build a $100 million savings account, and raise rates.<ref name="ST 2011 election"/> Meacham criticized Harrell's oversight of the utility and accused Harrell of raising rates without a strategic plan in place.<ref name="SMet 2011 election"/><ref name="ST 2011 election"/> Harrell stated that the rate increase “was absolutely necessary” and that his work has brought stability to City Light.<ref name="ST 2011 election"/> The candidates differed on public safety, with Harrell endorsing the use of police body cams, which he said would improve trust, while Meacham called them "cynical," saying they avoided firing bad officers.<ref name="ST 2011 election"/> Meacham was supported by the People's Waterfront Coalition and the Sierra Club, due to his opposition to the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel, while Harrell was supported by business and labor groups.<ref name="ST 2011 election"/><ref name="SMag 2011"/>
In the November general election, Harrell defeated Meacham, 61% to 38%.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hefter |first1=Emily |title=Seattle City Council incumbents leading |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-city-council-incumbents-leading/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=November 8, 2011}}</ref><ref name="2011 gen"/>
====2015 election==== Following years of at-large city council elections, Seattle switched to district-based city council elections, and Harrell ran in the newly created District 2 seat, which covers the International District and South Seattle.<ref name="KUOW 2015 primary">{{cite news |last1=Pagano |first1=Jason |last2=Wang |first2=Deborah |last3=Radill |first3=Amy |last4=Walker |first4=Meghan |title=Southeast Seattle: 'We Can't Afford To Live In Our Own City' |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/southeast-seattle-we-can-t-afford-live-our-own-city |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=KUOW |date=July 9, 2015}}</ref> Harrell faced two challengers, food advocate and community organizer Tammy Morales and Occupy Wall Street and Housing advocate Josh Farris.<ref name="KUOW 2015 primary"/><ref name="Urban 2015 primary">{{cite news |last1=Crowther |first1=Ben |title=2015 Primary Election Analysis–Seattle |url=https://www.theurbanist.org/2015/08/06/2015-primary-election-analysis/ |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=The Urbanist |date=August 6, 2015}}</ref> In the August primary, Harrell came in first, with 61.72% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Morales, who earned 24.66%.<ref name="Urban 2015 primary"/><ref name="2015 primary results"/>
Harrell focused his campaign on public safety and his experience in office, while Morales ran as a progressive, emphasizing the need to address inequality in land use and city growth management.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hyde |first1=David |last2=OConnell |first2=Kate |last3=McDermott |first3=Kara |title=A Question Of Public Safety In Seattle's District 2 |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/question-public-safety-seattles-district-2/ |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=KUOW |date=October 26, 2015}}</ref> In the November general election, Harrell narrowly defeated Morales, 50.79% to 48.96%, a margin of 344 votes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bruce Harrell wins Seattle's District 2 seat; Tammy Morales concedes |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/bruce-harrell-wins-seattles-district-2-seat-tammy-morales-concedes/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=November 17, 2015}}</ref><ref name="2015 general election results"/>
===Tenure=== thumb|Councilman Harrell with mayor Ed Murray meeting with local African American leaders in 2017
While on the council, Harrell served as chair of the Governance, Equity and Technology Committee; vice chair of the Human Service, Equitable Development, and Renter Rights Committee; and a member of the Finance and Neighborhoods Committee.<ref name="NWAsianWeekly2018">{{cite web |last1=Chan |first1=Beck |title=Top contributor: Bruce Harrell |url=https://nwasianweekly.com/2018/11/top-contributor-bruce-harrell/ |website=Northwest Asian Weekly |access-date=September 4, 2025 |language=en |date=November 9, 2018}}</ref>
Harrell participated in launching the Beacon Hill Broadband Pilot project, which expanded the city's fiber-optic cable network into underserved South End neighborhoods.<ref name="NWAsianWeekly2018"/>
In 2013, the city adopted and enacted the Job Assistance Ordinance, a so-called "ban the box" ordinance introduced and sponsored by Harrell, which restricts private employers from asking job applicants to answer on their applications whether they have a criminal record.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Polk |first1=Zoe |last2=Navitidad Rodriguez |first2=Michelle |title=Fair-Chance Implementation Case Studies For Government Agencies |url=https://www.nelp.org/app/uploads/2015/06/Fair-Chance-Implementation-Case-Studies.pdf |website=National Employment Law Project |access-date=September 3, 2025 |date=June 2015}}</ref><ref name=AGCWA>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Sean |title=Seattle Considers Ban the Box Ordinance |url=https://www.agcwa.com/2874-2/ |website=AGC of Washington |access-date=September 4, 2025 |date=April 30, 2013}}</ref> Its passage had been led by Harrell and leaders from the Sojourner Place Transitional Housing organization.<ref name="TNT Box"/> It took three years of local debate and compromise for the ordinance to be adopted which involved Harrell's engagement with local businesses, legal advocates, and members of the city's Human Rights Commission.<ref name="TNT Box">{{cite web |last1=Driscoll |first1=Matt |title=Tacoma banned the box for city jobs. Now do it for everyone else |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/matt-driscoll/article27026818.html |website=Tacoma News Tribune |access-date=September 4, 2025 |language=en |date=July 11, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ACLU box">{{cite web |last1=Hernandez |first1=Vanessa |title=Victory! Seattle Bans the Box |url=https://www.aclu-wa.org/blog/victory-seattle-bans-box |website=ACLU of Washington |access-date=September 4, 2025 |language=en |date=June 12, 2013}}</ref> The council unanimously adopted the final version of the ordinance in June 2013.<ref name="ACLU box"/>
In 2011, Harrell wrote a letter to then-US Attorney Jenny Durkan asking that the federal government mandate body cameras in Seattle.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Groover |first1=Heidi |title=What You Need to Know About Police Body Cameras |url=https://www.thestranger.com/news/2014/12/10/21189668/what-you-need-to-know-about-police-body-cameras |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=The Stranger |date=December 10, 2014}}</ref> In December 2014, he announced a pilot program to equip 12 officers with body cameras in the East Precinct, with a department wide program by 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Feit |first1=Josh |title=Bruce Harrell's Fight For Body Cams |url=https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2015/02/bruce-harrells-fight-for-body-cams-february-2015 |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=Seattle Met |date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> In 2017, Mayor Ed Murray has signed an executive order to require officers and sergeants to wear body cameras while on duty, which Harrell supported.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Browning |first1=Paige |title=All police will wear body cameras in Seattle soon, despite bargaining talks |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/all-police-will-wear-body-cameras-seattle-soon-despite-bargaining-talks/ |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=KUOW |date=July 17, 2017}}</ref>
In 2014, Harrell was the only dissenting vote when the City Council's land use committee voted to rezone the area around the Mount Baker Light Rail Station to permit dense housing construction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Han |first1=Young |title=Analysis of Seattle City Council's Approval of Mount Baker Rezone |url=https://southseattleemerald.org/commentary/2014/06/25/analysis-of-seattle-city-councils-approval-of-mount-baker-rezone |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=South Seattle Emerald |date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> Harrell unsuccessfully introduced amendments that would have delayed the upzoning indefinitely for further study and reduced the amount of housing that could be constructed near the public transit station.<ref name="SM MB"/> When the upzoning was put up to a vote in the City Council, Harrell was the only member to vote against it.<ref name="SM MB">{{cite news |last1=Barnett |first1=Erica C. |title=Council Adopts Mount Baker Upzone, with Harrell Dissenting |url=https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2014/06/council-adopts-mount-baker-upzone-with-harrell-dissenting-june-2014 |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=Seattle Met |date=June 23, 2014}}</ref>
On January 4, 2016, he was sworn in to the District 2 office and elected council president by fellow councilmembers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bruce Harrell Elected Seattle City Council President |url=https://napost.com/2016/bruce-harrell-elected-seattle-city-council-president/ |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=The North American Post |date=January 7, 2016}}</ref> Later that year, Harrell supported a measure to attempt to bring back the Seattle SuperSonics, but the measure was defeated in a 5–4 vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Groover |first1=Heidi |title=In 5-4 Vote, City Council Kills Street Vacation for New Sodo Arena |url=https://www.thestranger.com/news/2016/05/02/24035020/in-5-4-vote-city-council-kills-street-vacation-for-new-sodo-arena |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=The Stranger |date=May 2, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Seattle Arena: Council rejects vacating Occidental Avenue 5-4 |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-arena-council-rejects-vacating-occidental-avenue-5-4/281-165263368 |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=King5 |date=May 2, 2016}}</ref>
In 2018, Harrell supported a scaled-back version of the proposed Head Tax, a per-employee tax on large businesses to raise money for housing and homeless services, to $250 per employee.<ref name="ST2019"/> After the legislation passed, he voted to repeal the Head Tax, citing a risk of a referendum supported by Amazon and other businesses.<ref name="ST2019"/>
In 2019, Harrell chose not to run for reelection, stating, "Today I am announcing my intent not to seek re-election to the Seattle City Council for a fourth term because of my belief that three terms is sufficient in this role at this time."<ref name="ST2019">{{cite news |last1=Beekman |first1=Daniel |title=Bruce Harrell third incumbent who won't seek re-election to Seattle City Council |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/bruce-harrell-wont-run-for-re-election-to-seattle-city-council-third-incumbent-to-bow-out/ |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=January 8, 2019}}</ref> He stated his significant accomplishments included: police body cameras, legislation barring employers from automatically excluding job candidates with criminal records, and pushing internet companies to provide low-income students with high-speed access.<ref name="ST2019"/><ref>{{cite news |title=City Council President Bruce Harrell Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election |url=https://seattlemedium.com/city-council-president-bruce-harrell-announces-will-not-seek-re-election/ |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=Seattle Medium |date=January 9, 2019}}</ref>
==== Acting mayor of Seattle ==== thumb|Harrell being sworn in as acting mayor
On September 12, 2017, Mayor Ed Murray resigned due to multiple allegations of child abuse, rape, and sexual molestation.<ref name="Times-Mayor"/> Harrell initially stood by Murray after four accusers came forward, but after a fifth accuser came forward, Harrell called on Murray to resign, calling the allegations "unspeakable."<ref name="ST2019"/>
As council president, Harrell was sworn in as acting mayor of Seattle on September 13, 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brand |first1=Natalie |title=Harrell sworn in as acting Seattle mayor |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/harrell-sworn-in-as-acting-seattle-mayor/281-474528124 |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=King5 |date=September 13, 2017}}</ref> Harrell served as acting mayor for a five-day period, after which the city council elected Tim Burgess to fill the position until the November election.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/with-ed-murray-out-as-seattle-mayor-heres-how-his-duties-will-be-handled/|title=With Ed Murray out as Seattle mayor, here's how his duties will be handled|date=2017-09-12|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=2017-09-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Harrell declined to continue as acting mayor until November, which would have required him to lose his city council seat.<ref>{{cite news |last=Beekman |first=Daniel |date=September 15, 2017 |title=Bruce Harrell turns down Seattle mayor's job, council will pick a replacement |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/bruce-harrell-turns-down-seattle-mayors-job-council-will-pick-a-replacement/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref> During his short tenure as mayor, Harrell directed the city government to respond to Amazon's request for proposals from cities where it could potentially locate a second headquarters. He also ordered the city to increase public-space trash removal.<ref name="ST2019"/>
==Mayor of Seattle== ===Elections=== ====2013 election==== {{Main|2013 Seattle mayoral election}} In January 2013, Harrell announced his candidacy for Seattle mayor against incumbent Michael McGinn.<ref name="KUOW 2013 mayor">{{cite news |title=Bruce Harrell Joins Crowded Race for Seattle Mayor |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/bruce-harrell-joins-crowded-race-seattle-mayor |access-date=22 June 2025 |work=KUOW |date=January 16, 2013}}</ref><ref name="ST 2013 Mayor">{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Lynn |title=Harrell joins mayor's race, calls McGinn's style ineffective |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/harrell-joins-mayorrsquos-race-calls-mcginnrsquos-style-ineffective/ |access-date=22 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=January 15, 2013}}</ref> Harrell called McGinn's leadership style as ineffective, and criticized the mayor over his handling of the federal probe into the Seattle Police Department over use of force and biased policing.<ref name="KUOW 2013 mayor"/><ref name="ST 2013 Mayor"/> During a primary debate, Harrell stated that McGinn's successes as mayor were legislation passed by the council, like the passage of paid sick leave.<ref>{{cite news |title=Morning Fizz: McGinn Successfully Fends off Attacks in Latest Candidate Forum |url=https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2013/05/morning-fizz-mcginn-successfully-fends-off-attacks-in-latest-candidate-forum-may-2013 |access-date=22 June 2025 |work=Seattle Met |date=May 3, 2013}}</ref>
In the August primary, Harrell came in fourth with 15.22% of the vote.<ref name="2013 mayor primary"/> He endorsed then-state senator Ed Murray in the general election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barnett |first1=Erica C. |title=Harrell Endorses Murray; Murray Trashes McGinn on Public Safety |url=https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2013/09/harrell-endorses-murray-murray-trashes-mcginn-on-public-safety-september-2013 |access-date=22 June 2025 |work=Seattle Met |date=September 5, 2013}}</ref>
====2021 election==== {{Main|2021 Seattle mayoral election}}
After Mayor Jenny Durkan announced in 2021 that she would not seek reelection, Harrell announced his candidacy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daniels |first1=Chris |title=Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan will not seek re-election, prompting reaction and speculation |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/durkan-wont-week-re-election/281-594c83dc-3564-43d5-8a1b-4ace0c246758 |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=King5 |date=December 7, 2020}}</ref><ref name="2021 Announcement">{{cite news |title=Bruce Harrell announces he is running for Seattle mayor |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/bruce-harrell-seattle-mayor-campaign/281-88051c15-2675-4dcc-af55-7013dfd4449f |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=King5 |date=March 16, 2021}}</ref> In his announcement, he said "Look at what Seattle has become," referring to the ongoing homelessness crisis, business closures, property destruction, and racial violence.<ref name="2021 Announcement"/> Harrell joined a crowded primary field of 15 candidates, which included Council President Lorena González, Chief Seattle Club Executive Director Colleen Echohawk, former state representative Jessyn Farrell, and architect Andrew Grant Houston.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daniels |first1=Chris |title=Wide range of candidates file to become Seattle's next mayor in upcoming August primary |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/seattle-mayoral-race-august-primary-election/281-38370bb4-c641-4a3e-8d3f-719bc25f314b |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=King5 |date=May 21, 2021}}</ref> In the August primary, Harrell came in first, with 34% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with González, who earned 32.11%.<ref>{{cite news |title=2021 Primary Election results for Seattle and King County: Pete Holmes falls to third |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/2021-primary-election-results-seattle-and-king-county |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=KUOW |date=August 3, 2021}}</ref><ref name="2021 primary"/>
Harrell ran as a moderate, focusing on expanding the police force and addressing visible homelessness, and was endorsed by former governor Gary Locke, and former Seattle Mayors Norm Rice and Wesley C. Uhlman.<ref name="AP 2021">{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Gene |title=Moderate candidates leading liberals in Seattle's top races |url=https://apnews.com/article/election-day-2021-seattle-mayor-a3e21778876be048cde57d94dba1dff7 |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=Associated Press |date=November 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name="ST 2021 endorsements">{{cite news |last1=Beekman |first1=Daniel |title=Endorsements roll in for Seattle mayoral, council races |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/who-supports-who-in-seattle-elections-endorsements-roll-in-for-mayoral-council-races/ |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 15, 2021}}</ref> González ran as a progressive, focusing on increasing corporate taxes and ending forced sweeps of homeless people, and was endorsed by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren along with a majority of the city council.<ref name="AP 2021"/><ref name="ST 2021 endorsements"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Former Council President Bruce Harrell leading Seattle's mayoral primary race |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/former-council-president-bruce-harrell-leading-seattles-mayoral-primary-race/281-dda11a4f-e334-435a-b4a9-23afad6a8850 |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=King5 |date=August 3, 2021}}</ref>
On October 8, Harrell attended a dinner event at China Harbor restaurant.<ref name="The Seattle Times-2021">{{Cite web |date=2021-10-10 |title=Seattle mayoral candidate Bruce Harrell posed for photos without mask at large event |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-mayoral-candidate-bruce-harrell-posed-for-photos-without-mask-at-large-event/ |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> This event generated criticism, including Gonzalez, after photographs emerged of Harrell and other attendees without face masks, despite restrictions for events of its size at the time requiring attendees to be masked while not eating, drinking or sitting at their table.<ref name="The Seattle Times-2021" /> In the final week of the campaign, an ethics complaint was filed accusing accused Harrell of influencing a wage-theft investigation at a men's-only club that he was a member of while he was council president.<ref name="KUOW wage">{{cite news |last1=Hyde |first1=David |title=Bruce Harrell, Seattle mayoral candidate, accused of trying to influence wage theft investigation at men-only social club |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-mayoral-candidate-bruce-harrell-faces-last-minute-ethics-complaint |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=KUOW |date=October 29, 2021}}</ref> Harrell released a statement in response which accused González of trying to distract voters from issues like homelessness and public safety.<ref name="KUOW wage"/> In the waning days of the campaign, González released an advertisement criticizing Harrell's initial support of Mayor Murray during the early stages of the abuse scandal,<ref name="AP Ad">{{cite news |title=Seattle mayoral candidate stops TV ad decried as racist |url=https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-seattle-sexual-abuse-sexual-assault-ed-murray-26a9e2f01ccb855b8afc2e64a1161c35 |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=Associated Press |date=October 26, 2021}}</ref> but pulled the ad due backlash with alleged racialized undertones of her advertisement.<ref name="AP Ad"/><ref name="ST Ad">{{cite news |last1=Brunner |first1=Jim |title=Black leaders call on Seattle mayoral candidate M. Lorena González to pull 'racist' ad saying Bruce Harrell sided with sex abusers |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/black-leaders-call-on-seattle-mayoral-candidate-m-lorena-gonzalez-to-pull-racist-ad-saying-bruce-harrell-sided-with-sex-abusers/ |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024010031/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/black-leaders-call-on-seattle-mayoral-candidate-m-lorena-gonzalez-to-pull-racist-ad-saying-bruce-harrell-sided-with-sex-abusers/ |archive-date=October 24, 2021}}</ref>
In the November 2021 election, Harrell defeated González, 58% to 41%, and was sworn in as the 57th mayor of Seattle on January 1, 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bruce Harrell becomes mayor of Seattle New Year's Day |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/bruce-harrell-becomes-mayor-seattle-new-years-day/Y7HXYDAW5NDN5JQSO7UVYOUVP4/ |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=KIRO |date=January 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name="2021officialgen"/>
====2025 reelection==== {{Main|2025 Seattle mayoral election}}
In December 2024, Harrell announced his intention to run for reelection in the 2025 Seattle mayoral election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell will run for reelection |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell-will-run-reelection/XVW3SFE3VFAF5GDDG47JMTD3ME/ |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=KIRO |date=December 10, 2024}}</ref> This announcement included numerous high-profile endorsements, including from Governor-elect Bob Ferguson and then-King County Executive Dow Constantine.<ref name="re">{{cite web |last1=Oxley |first1=Dyer |title=Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is running for re-election in 2025 |url=https://thankyou.kuow.org/stories/seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell-is-running-for-re-election-in-2025 |website=thankyou.kuow.org |language=en |date=9 December 2024}}</ref> If reelected, Harrell would become the first Seattle mayor to win a second term since Greg Nickels in 2005. Harrell drew seven challengers for the August primary election, including activist Katie Wilson, actor Ry Armstrong, and 2009 Seattle mayoral election runner-up Joe Mallahan.<ref name="PBS 2025 primary">{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Josh |title=Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell to face 7 opponents in reelection bid {{!}} Cascade PBS |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2025/05/seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell-face-7-opponents-reelection-bid |website=www.cascadepbs.org |date=May 15, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
In the August primary, Harrell came in second, with 41.2% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Wilson, who earned 50.8%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Live election results: Aug. 5 Seattle area primary |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/live-election-results-aug-5-seattle-area-primary |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=www.kuow.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mallon |first=Elaine |date=2025-08-06 |title=Seattle mayor faces battle after primary upset by progressive challenger Katie Wilson |url=https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/seattle-mayor-faces-battle-after-primary-upset-by-progressive-challenger-katie-wilson |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=KOMO |language=en}}</ref>
During his re-election campaign, Harrell talked about public safety, transportation, and housing affordability, while criticizing Wilson's previous support for the "Defund the Police" movement.<ref name="KOMO results">{{cite news |last1=Esteban |first1=Michelle |title=What's at stake as Seattle mayoral race heats up between Katie Wilson and Bruce Harrell |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-mayoral-race-katie-wilson-incumbent-bruce-harrell-king-county-elections-early-results-primary-november-general-homelessness-affordability-public-safety |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=KOMO |date=August 6, 2025}}</ref><ref name="BH">{{cite news |last1=Gans |first1=Jared |title=Progressives make inroads in key mayor's races |url=https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/hill-politics/progressives-make-inroads-in-key-mayors-races/ |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=The Hill |publisher=Binghampton Homepage |date=August 13, 2025}}</ref> Wilson, running as a progressive, focused her campaign on homelessness and affordability, while criticizing Harrell as the "status quo" for doing little to address homelessness and the rising cost of living.<ref name="KOMO results"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Santos |first1=Melissa |title=Meet the 7 people challenging Bruce Harrell for mayor |url=https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/13/seattle-mayor-candidates-2025 |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=Axios Seattle |date=May 13, 2025}}</ref>
===Tenure=== [[File:Joe Biden in the Oval Office with newly-elected mayors FGq2Q3EXwAQiJZ9.jpg|thumb|Harrell joins other individuals that had recently won mayoral elections in meeting President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House.]]
==== Appointments and staff ==== Deputy Mayor Kendee Yamaguchi resigned in July 2022. Harrell informed his cabinet that Greg Wong, the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods, would be promoted to deputy mayor.<ref name="ericacbarnett-2022">{{Cite web |last=Barnett|first=Erica C. |date=2022-08-02 |title=Harrell Shakes Up Top Staff, Police Accountability Office Clears Officers Accused of Extortion |url=https://publicola.com/2022/08/01/harrell-shakes-up-top-staff-police-accountability-office-clears-officers-accused-of-extortion/ |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=PubliCola |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Sarah Grace |title=Seattle Deputy Mayor of External Relations Kendee Yamaguchi resigns |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-deputy-mayor-of-external-relations-kendee-yamaguchi-resigns/ |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 1, 2022}}</ref> Harrell appointed Gino Bettis, the former assistant state's attorney for Cook County, Illinois, as director of the Office of Police Accountability on August 1, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-19 |title=Gino Betts announced as new director of Seattle's Office of Police Accountability |url=https://www.q13fox.com/news/gino-betts-announced-as-new-director-of-seattles-office-of-police-accountability |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=FOX 13 Seattle |language=en-US}}</ref>
Harrell appointed Adrian Diaz, the interim chief of the Seattle Police Department, to become permanent in September 2022.<ref name="Taylor-2022">{{Cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Sarah Grace |last2=Green |first2=Sara Jean |date=September 21, 2022 |title=Mayor Bruce Harrell appoints Adrian Diaz permanent Seattle police chief |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/mayor-bruce-harrell-appoints-diaz-permanent-seattle-police-chief/ |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=The Seattle Times}}</ref> In May 2024, Harrell announced Diaz' demotion from police chief to a new role in "special projects" and appointed former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr as interim chief.<ref name="PC Diaz">{{cite news |last1=Barnett |first1=Erica C. |title="Outstanding Leadership": Harrell Effusively Praises Embattled Police Chief Adrian Diaz While Announcing His Replacement |url=https://publicola.com/2024/05/29/outstanding-leadership-harrell-effusively-praises-embattled-police-chief-adrian-diaz-while-announcing-his-replacement/ |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=Publicola |date=May 29, 2024}}</ref> The demotion occurred amid lawsuits and allegations involving sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and creating a misogynistic culture in the police department, but Harrell praised Diaz in the press conference.<ref name="PC Diaz"/> In October 2024, Diaz was placed on paid leave during watchdog investigations into 51 allegations against him and the department.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hiruko |first1=Ashley |title=Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz placed on paid leave amid watchdog investigations |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/former-seattle-police-chief-adrian-diaz-on-paid-leave-amid-watchdog-investigations |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=KUOW |date=October 28, 2024}}</ref> In December 2024, Harrell fired Diaz after an internal investigation found that Diaz had hired and directly supervised a romantic partner and attempted to cover it up.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Josh |title=Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz fired by Mayor Harrell |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2024/12/former-seattle-police-chief-adrian-diaz-fired-mayor-harrell/ |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=Cascade PBS |date=December 17, 2024}}</ref> In May 2025, Diaz filed a lawsuit against the city over wrongful termination and discrimination, after he came out as gay.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Radil |first1=Amy |title=Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz sues city over firing, claims he faced retaliation |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/former-seattle-police-chief-adrian-diaz-sues-city-over-firing |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=KUOW |date=May 29, 2025}}</ref>
Harrell named his niece and former campaign manager Monisha Harrell as senior deputy mayor in 2021, becoming the first black, openly gay deputy mayor in Seattle history.<ref name="Monish Appt">{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/bruce-harrell-announces-key-cabinet-members-appoints-niece-as-deputy-mayor/|title=Seattle Mayor-elect Harrell names niece deputy mayor, lists other appointments|last=Taylor|first=Sarah Grace|date=December 13, 2021|access-date=December 19, 2024|website=Seattle Times}}</ref><ref name="KUOW toxic"/> She resigned the position in 2023, stating her departure was amicable and over disagreements on public safety issues.<ref name="Monisha out">{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/mayor-harrells-niece-leaving-role-as-senior-deputy-mayor/|title=Mayor Harrell's niece out as senior deputy mayor|last=Taylor|first=Sarah Grace|date=June 20, 2023|access-date=December 19, 2024|website=Seattle Times}}</ref> In 2025, Monisha Harrell stated her departure was due to a toxic workplace against her and other women in the office.<ref name="KUOW toxic"/> In 2025 Monisha Harrell spoke to KUOW to allege that Harrell had created a toxic work environment where he repeatedly undermined the authority of the women staffers, including herself.<ref name="KUOW toxic">{{cite news |last1=Hiruko |first1=Ashley |title=Monisha Harrell breaks silence on her uncle – and former boss – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/monisha-harrell-breaks-silence-on-her-uncle-and-former-boss-seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=KUOW |date=March 14, 2025}}</ref><ref name="MNW toxic">{{cite news |title=Seattle mayor responds first time publicly to bombshell allegations of sexism in his office |url=https://mynorthwest.com/mynorthwest-politics/monisha-harrell-seattle-mayor/4063587 |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=My Northwest |date=March 19, 2025}}</ref> Six other anonymous women with ties to the Mayor's office were interviewed by KUOW, supporting Monisha Harrell's characterizations of the work environment.<ref name="KUOW toxic"/>
====Public Safety==== Throughout his term, Harrell focused on increasing staffing within the Seattle Police Department (SPD) by 500 officers through higher pay and recruitment bonuses.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kamb |first1=Lewis |title=Seattle mayor, police chief announce plan to hire 500 more cops |url=https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2022/07/14/seattle-mayor-police-hire-cops |access-date=4 September 2025 |work=Axios Seattle |date=July 14, 2022}}</ref> In the first quarter of 2025, SPD saw a 500% increase in applications compared to the same period in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Seattle sees police hiring surge 500% after sweetening the deal for recruits |url=https://kpq.com/ixp/1130/p/seattle-sees-police-hiring-surge-500-after-sweetening-the-deal-for-recruits-2/ |access-date=4 September 2025 |work=The Center Square |publisher=KPQ |date=May 3, 2025}}</ref> In July 2025, the city announced that 100 new officers were hired in the first half of the year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duecy |first1=Luke |title=Seattle hires more than 100 police recruits amid push to rebuild department |url=https://mynorthwest.com/local/seattle-100-police-recruits/4114632 |access-date=4 September 2025 |work=My Northwest |date=July 29, 2025}}</ref>
In the first month of his term, Harrell launched "Operation New Day," starting by expanding police presence in the Little Saigon neighborhood, which had experienced increased crime and public drug use since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="RCN New Day">{{cite news |last1=Archibald |first1=Ashley |title=Harrell to increase police presence downtown in response to Third and Pine panic |url=https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2022/03/09/harrell-increase-police-presence-downtown-response-third-and-pine-panic |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=Real Change News |date=March 9, 2022}}</ref> In his February State of the City speech, Harrell vowed to clean-up crime in Little Saigon and touted that early success of the program in the neighborhood, stating "...police officers in the first 21 days of January made 23 felony arrests, 14 misdemeanor arrests."<ref name="KUOW New Day 2022">{{cite news |last1=Radill |first1=Amy |last2=Malcolm |first2=Kim |title=Violence and property crime are up in Seattle. Here's how officials plan to tackle it |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-officials-announce-new-measures-to-tackle-violence-and-property-crimes |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=KUOW |date=February 14, 2022}}</ref><ref name="KOMO New Day">{{cite news |last1=Phan |first1=Suzanne |title=12th and Jackson in Little Saigon Seattle cleared; Businesses relieved but wonder how long |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/12th-and-jackson-in-little-saigon-seattle-cleared-businesses-relieved-but-wonder-how-long |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=KOMO |date=February 20, 2022}}</ref> By March 2022, the drug market and illegal goods market were cleared due to daily police patrols, and the program was expanded to other "hotspots" in the city, including Downtown, due to it "successfully" working in Little Saigon.<ref name="RCN New Day"/><ref name="KOMO New Day"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Seattle police recover 8 firearms while arresting deadly downtown shooting suspect |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/suspect-arrested-downtown-bank-robbery/281-04a3692d-0278-4315-99c5-b948d06be10d |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=King5 |date=March 23, 2022}}</ref>
By fall 2023, arrests for public drug use and dealing, along with daily patrols, tapered off, leading to a renewed surge in crime in Little Saigon.<ref name="ST disorder downtown">{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Greg |title=Seattle reduced disorder downtown. But it didn't go far |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/seattle-reduced-disorder-downtown-but-it-didnt-go-far/ |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=Seattle Times |date=December 9, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Westneat |first1=Danny |title=Seattle's Little Saigon has already been forgotten |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattles-little-saigon-has-already-been-forgotten/ |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=Seattle Times |date=August 30, 2023}}</ref> In November 2024, in response to a mass stabbing event in Little Saigon, Harrell announced increased police patrols, plans to install CCTV cameras, and signed an executive order aimed at discouraging "illegal vending."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clarridge |first1=Christine |title=Seattle police step up patrols after 10 stabbings |url=https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/11/15/chinatown-international-district-stabbings-police-response |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=Axios Seattle |date=November 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Oron |first1=Guy |title=Stabbing attacks target CID unhoused community, leave neighbors feeling unsafe |url=https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2024/11/21/stabbing-attack-targets-cid-unhoused-community-leaves-neighbors-feeling-unsafe |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=Real Change News |date=November 21, 2024}}</ref>
In May 2025, Harrell and Seattle Police put online the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), which monitor video and data streams to assist in addressing public safety.<ref name="RTCC">{{cite news |last1=Lynch |first1=James |title=Seattle Police Department unveils high-tech crime center, raising privacy concerns |url=https://mynorthwest.com/local/seattle-police-department-2/4110471 |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=My Northwest |date=July 15, 2025}}</ref> The RTCC would use information collected from a pilot program of CCTV cameras in high crime neighborhoods, including the Chinatown Internation District, Downtown, and Aurora Avenue.<ref name="RTCC"/> Although some citizens expressed privacy concerns, Harrell pushed for an expansion of the program in nightlife areas, the stadium district, and Garfield High School.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mayor proposes adding SPD surveillance cameras around Pike/Pine, Garfield High School |url=https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2025/07/mayor-proposes-adding-spd-surveillance-cameras-around-pike-pine-garfield-high-school/ |access-date=4 September 2025 |work=Capital Hill Seattle News |date=July 22, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pauley |first1=Spencer |title=Seattle's $1M CCTV expansion proposal sparks privacy concerns |url=https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_daef6a6f-0e4d-4ec8-a9b8-141cfd004d9c.html |access-date=4 September 2025 |work=The Center Square |date=July 31, 2025}}</ref>
==== Housing ==== In August 2022, as Harrell was implementing and pushing his "One Seattle<nowiki>''</nowiki> plan to fight homelessness, excerpts from a meeting with the Seattle Police Department were leaked to the radio station 770 KTTH.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-30 |title=Rantz: Seattle mayor privately blasts homelessness groups, 'inexperienced' council |url=https://mynorthwest.com/3610734/rantz-seattle-mayor-privately-blasts-homelessness-groups-inexperienced-council/ |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=MyNorthwest.com |language=en}}</ref> In the leaks, he said that "no one has a right to sleep on the streets" and that the "authority" was "working against" his efforts to address homelessness, criticized the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, and vowed to work against "inexperienced" City Council members.<ref name="The Seattle Times-2022">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-31 |title=Seattle mayor does damage control after leaked criticism of homelessness agency, City Council |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-mayor-does-damage-control-after-leaked-criticism-of-homeless-agency-city-council/ |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> After the leak, he acknowledged his previous comments, and did not disavow them, but used what the ''Seattle Times'' characterized as more diplomatic language. Harrell asserted that he had a right to "criticize what he sees" but that he would speak with individuals who might be offended by his leaked remarks. Lisa Daugaard, the director of the Public Defender Association and overseer of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (a program to provide care for those who break the law due to extreme poverty), said that the program's relationship with Harrell was still "in good shape".<ref name="The Seattle Times-2022"/>
In July 2022, the Pacific Northwest experienced a historic heat wave that brought dangerously high temperatures to Seattle. Harrell's administration faced harsh criticism for continuing to remove homeless encampments during the heat wave.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Markovich |first=Matt |date=2022-07-27 |title='We are not trying to displace anyone'; Mayor Harrell fields criticisms of homeless sweeps during heat wave |url=https://www.q13fox.com/news/we-are-not-trying-to-displace-anyone-mayor-harrell-fields-criticisms-of-homeless-sweeps-during-heatwave |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=FOX 13 Seattle |language=en-US}}</ref> Harell's administration removed over 8,000 tents in 2023 and 2024, breaking records for number of houseless sweeps performed while shelter capacity was reduced over the same period,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-21 |title=Seattle has tripled encampment removals |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/seattle-breaks-records-on-homeless-tents-removed-encampments-cleared/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422040444/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/seattle-breaks-records-on-homeless-tents-removed-encampments-cleared/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |archive-date=2025-04-22 |access-date=2025-08-26 |work=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> exacerbating community concern around housing access and public safety.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A tale of two budgets: Slashing support to spend on sweeps |url=https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2024/11/06/tale-two-budgets-slashing-support-spend-sweeps |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826203822/https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2024/11/06/tale-two-budgets-slashing-support-spend-sweeps |archive-date=2025-08-26 |access-date=2025-08-26 |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, Harrell sought to limit the applicability of a new Washington state law that permitted the construction of fourplexes and sixplexes in zones previously zoned exclusively for single-family housing. The state law was intended to increase housing construction amid a housing shortage. In explaining Harrell's attempt to limit density and new housing construction, his spokesperson cited concerns over gentrification and displacement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Santos |first1=Melissa |title=Seattle must legalize more quadplexes and sixplexes under new law |url=https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/22/seattle-housing-density-upzone |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=Axios Seattle |date=May 22, 2023}}</ref>
In 2024, the Harrell administration released a comprehensive 20-year housing plan that proposed to slow housing construction in Seattle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-15 |title=Harrell Throws in the Towel on Housing with a 20-Year Plan to Increase Housing Prices and Worsen Homelessness |url=https://publicola.com/2024/03/15/harrell-throws-in-the-towel-on-housing-with-a-20-year-plan-to-increase-housing-prices-and-worsen-homelessness/ |website=PubliCola |language=en-US}}</ref>
In February 2025, Seattle held a special election to determine funding for a social housing project that voters had approved in an earlier election. Harrell, alongside business leaders, endorsed Proposition 1B, a proposal to use existing tax revenue to fund this housing, while progressive leaders endorsed Proposition 1A, a proposal to create a new business tax dedicated to funding social housing. Proposition 1A was victorious, a particularly significant loss for Harrell since it came after he had launched his reelection campaign.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Josh |title=Seattleites will vote on competing measures to fund social housing {{!}} Cascade PBS |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2025/01/seattleites-will-vote-competing-measures-fund-social-housing |website=www.cascadepbs.org |date=January 28, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Kipp |title=Seattle voters approve Proposition 1A, pledging millions for social housing |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/elections/seattle-housing-school-levies-approved-february-special-election/281-fc4c10b3-6428-409d-a17b-bd8b9223fc23 |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=King5 |date=February 12, 2025}}</ref>
====Budget==== In September 2024, Harrell released an $8 billion bi-annual budget proposal for 2025–2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nielson |first1=Jim |title=Seattle mayor unveils $8 billion budget proposal for 2025-2026 |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle-mayor-unveils-8-billion-budget-proposal-2025-2026/281-75058370-29f5-46d4-a6eb-7ee167a9da98 |access-date=4 September 2025 |work=King5 |date=September 24, 2024}}</ref> The proposal included a 14% increased to public safety programs, 9% increase to arts and culture, and .8% increase to affordable housing projects.<ref name="PBS budget">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Josh |title=Seattle Mayor staves off deep cuts in $8.3B 2025 budget proposal |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2024/09/seattle-mayor-staves-deep-cuts-83b-2025-budget-proposal/ |access-date=4 September 2025 |work=Cascade PBS |date=September 24, 2024}}</ref> To address a $250 million budget deficit, Harrell proposed using additional Jumpstart Payroll Expense Tax fund, while cutting 159 city jobs.<ref name="PBS budget"/> In November 2024, Harrell signed the budget passed by the city council.<ref>{{cite news |title=Seattle budget includes historic investment in affordable housing and public safety |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/mayor-bruce-harrell-biennial-budget-public-safety-affordable-housing-83-billion-small-business-support-dangerous-vacant-buildings-king-county-care-team |access-date=4 September 2025 |work=KOMO |date=November 26, 2024}}</ref>
In June 2025, Harrell and councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck announced a reworking of the city's Business and Operations tax to raise revenues by taxing large corporations while eliminating the tax on small businesses.<ref name="BO">{{cite news |last1=McNichols |first1=Joshua |title=How Seattle could raise more money by lowering most business taxes |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/how-seattle-could-raise-more-money-by-lowering-most-business-taxes |access-date=1 July 2025 |work=KUOW |date=June 26, 2025}}</ref> In August 2025, the city council unanimously passed the proposal which voters will vote to approve in the November general election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Josh |title=Seattle City Council unanimously sends B&O tax overhaul to voters |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2025/08/seattle-city-council-unanimously-sends-b-o-tax-overhaul-to-voters/ |access-date=4 September 2025 |work=Cascade PBS |date=August 4, 2025}}</ref>
==== Transportation ==== In July 2022, Harrell's administration reversed a decision made by former mayor Jenny Durkan to allow the Department of Transportation to issue parking violation tickets instead of the Seattle Police Department. The move resulted in the cancellation of 200,000 parking tickets issued by the Department of Transportation, with Seattle vowing to refund nearly $5 million to those who had paid the fines.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=Confusion, miscommunication led to Seattle canceling 200,000 parking tickets |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/confusion-miscommunication-led-to-seattle-canceling-200000-parking-tickets/ |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 15, 2022}}</ref>
In May 2024, Harrell proposed a $1.45 billion transportation levy, the largest in the city's history, focusing on sidewalk construction and repairs, enhanced pedestrian and bicyclist connectivity to light rail stations, transit access and reliability, bridge maintenance and planning, and the maintenance and modernization of Seattle's streets.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mayor Harrell proposes new, $1.45 billion transportation levy. Here's what it would cost homeowners |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/mayor-harrell-new-transportation-levy-proposal/281-8181afe9-b569-4342-99bf-4de8daf9e25e |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=King5 |date=May 3, 2024}}</ref> In the November general election, voters approved the levy, which was increased to $1.55 billion by the city council.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Packer |first1=Ryan |title=Seattle Voters Approve $1.55 Billion Transportation Levy |url=https://www.theurbanist.org/2024/11/06/seattle-voters-approve-1-55-billion-transportation-levy/ |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Urbanist |date=November 6, 2024}}</ref>
==== Climate change ==== In September 2022, Harrell signed Green New Deal legislation in Seattle, allocating $6.5 million for climate projects in the city, including funding towards efforts to get city-owned buildings off fossil fuels by 2035.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ramirez |first1=Quixem |title=Mayor Harrell signs $6.5 million Green New Deal to reduce impact of climate change |url=https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/seattles-green-new-deal-climate-change/281-f8bbbd74-f99c-4d0b-beb3-64742171df5e |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=King5 |date=September 22, 2022}}</ref> In April 2025, Harrell signed an Earth Day executive order focusing on updating Seattle's climate action plan and accelerating emissions reductions, the first update to the climate action plan was released in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Harrell signs Earth Day executive order to develop new climate action plan |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell-to-sign-earth-day-executive-order-to-develop-new-climate-action-plan-green-economy-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions |access-date=3 September 2025 |work=KOMO |date=April 22, 2025}}</ref>
==== Immigration ==== In December 2024 Harrell commented on President-elect Donald Trump's planned mass deportation of illegal immigrants, stating the importance of "protecting certain communities", but also indicated that he would support mass deportation efforts of "criminals", citing "certain activities coming out of the White House that we want to embrace."<ref>{{cite web |title=Rantz: Mayor Harrell may 'embrace' some Trump immigration policies, support deporting criminals |url=https://mynorthwest.com/4021284/rantz-seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell-illegal-immigrations-trump-sanctuary-city/ |publisher=My Northwest |date=December 19, 2024 |access-date=December 20, 2024}}</ref>
== Personal life == Harrell and his wife Joanne married in 1992; they have three children and live in Seward Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/former-council-president-bruce-harrell-touts-community-roots-strength-and-unity-in-bid-for-seattle-mayor/|title='Enough is enough': Bruce Harrell says Seattle's fumbles prompted him to leave retirement, run for mayor|date=July 8, 2021|website=The Seattle Times|quote=Harrell married his wife, Joanne Harrell, in 1992. She is a senior director at Microsoft and a University of Washington regent. They have three grown children and live in the Seward Park neighborhood.}}</ref>
Harrell has a fourth child, and a third biological child, from a previous relationship. He estranged himself from this son throughout much of his childhood.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-10-10 |title=A City Council Candidate and his Kids |url=https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/a-city-council-candidate-and-his-kids/ |access-date=2025-10-31 |website=Seattle Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2022, Harrell was honored by Gold House (which honors those of Asian Pacific descent). The organization honored him and fellow mayors Aftab Pureval and Michelle Wu as having made the "most impact" in the field of advocacy and policy.<ref>{{cite web |title=A100 List |url=https://goldhouse.org/a100/?y=2022 |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=Gold House |language=en}}</ref>
== Electoral history ==
=== 2007 election === {{Election box begin no party no change |title=Seattle City Council Position 3, Primary Election 2007<ref name="2007 primary results">{{cite web |title=King County Official Final, Primary Election |url=https://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/200708/resPage8.htm |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=February 25, 2019 |date=September 9, 2007}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Venus Velazquez |votes = 31,554 |percentage = 43.72% }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Bruce Harrell |votes = 20,520 |percentage = 28.43% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Al Runte |votes = 9,397 |percentage = 13.02% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = John E. Manning |votes = 5,665 |percentage = 7.85% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Scott Feldman |votes = 4,810 |percentage = 6.66% }} {{Election box write-in no party no change |votes = 223 |percentage = 0.31% }} <!-- Ballot return statistics are included to keep consistent with pages of longer serving councilmembers, particularly those who have been elected in citywide and district elections --> {{Election box turnout no party no change |votes = 84,038 |percentage = 25.03 }} {{Election box registered electors no party no change |reg. electors = 335,746 }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no party no change |title=Seattle City Council Position 3, General Election 2007<ref name="2007 general results">{{cite web |title=King County Official Final, General Election |url=https://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/200711/resPage17.htm |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=February 25, 2019 |date=November 27, 2007}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Bruce Harrell |votes = 80,839 |percentage = 59.88% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Venus Velazquez |votes = 53,539 |percentage = 39.66% }} {{Election box write-in no party no change |votes = 626 |percentage = 0.46% }} <!-- Ballot return statistics are included to keep consistent with other seattle councilmembers, particularly those who have been elected in citywide and district elections --> <!-- Majority (how much they won by) only calculated and included in general election because tends to be less illustrative in very divided primaries --> {{Election box majority no party no change |votes = 27,300 |percentage = 20.22% }} {{Election box turnout no party no change |votes = 159,120 |percentage = 47.46 }} {{Election box registered electors no party no change |reg. electors = 335,276 }} {{Election box end}}
=== 2011 election === <!-- Not enough candidates registered to require a primary race --> {{Election box begin no party no change |title=Seattle City Council Position 3, General Election 2011<ref name="2011 gen">{{cite web |title=Elections Results - General and Special Election |url=https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/elections/results/2011/201111.ashx?la=en |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=February 25, 2019 |format=PDF |date=November 28, 2011}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Bruce Harrell |votes = 96,978 |percentage = 61.05% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Brad Meacham |votes = 61,138 |percentage = 38.49% }} {{Election box write-in no party no change |votes = 737 |percentage = 0.46% }} <!-- Ballot return statistics are included to keep consistent with other seattle councilmembers, particularly those who have been elected in citywide and district elections --> <!-- Majority (how much they won by) only calculated and included in general election because tends to be less illustrative in very divided primaries --> {{Election box majority no party no change |votes = 35,840 |percentage = 22.56% }} {{Election box turnout no party no change |votes = 197,524 |percentage = 52.87 }} {{Election box registered electors no party no change |reg. electors = 373,630 }} {{Election box end}}
=== 2013 mayoral election === {{Election box begin no party no change |title=Mayor of Seattle, Primary Election 2013<ref name="2013 mayor primary">{{cite web |title=Elections Results - Primary and Special Election |url=https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/elections/results/2013/201308.ashx |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=February 25, 2019 |format=PDF |date=August 20, 2013}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Ed Murray |votes = 42,314 |percentage = 29.85% }}<!-- For primaries, two candidates are marked "winning" because they carry forward to the general --> {{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Mike McGinn |votes = 40,501 |percentage = 28.57% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Peter Steinbrueck |votes = 22,913 |percentage = 16.16% }}<!-- Bruce is the subject of this wiki, but highlighting him in some way would be confused with winning the primary so I'm just going to leave it plain --> {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Bruce A. Harrell |votes = 21,580 |percentage = 15.22% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Charlie Staadecker |votes = 6,288 |percentage = 4.44% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Doug McQuaid |votes = 2,546 |percentage = 1.80% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Kate Martin, planner |votes = 2,479 |percentage = 1.75% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Mary Martin, factory worker |votes = 1,498 |percentage = 1.06% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Joey Gray |votes = 1,318 |percentage = 0.93% }} {{Election box write-in no party no change |votes = 334 |percentage = 0.24% }} <!-- Ballot return statistics are included to keep consistent with pages of longer serving councilmembers, particularly those who have been elected in citywide and district elections --> {{Election box turnout no party no change |votes = 144,306 |percentage = 34.95 }} {{Election box registered electors no party no change |reg. electors = 412,847 }} {{Election box end}}
=== 2015 election === {{Election box begin no party no change |title=Seattle City Council District 2, Primary Election 2015<ref name="2015 primary results">{{cite web |title=Elections Results - Primary and Special Election |url=https://kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/elections/results/2015/201508/results.ashx?la=en |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=February 21, 2019 |format=PDF |date=August 17, 2015}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Bruce Harrell |votes = 8,066 |percentage = 61.72% }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Tammy Morales |votes = 3,223 |percentage = 24.66% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Josh Farris |votes = 1,725 |percentage = 13.20% }} {{Election box write-in no party no change |votes = 55 |percentage = 0.42% }} <!-- Ballot return statistics are included to keep consistent with pages of longer serving councilmembers, particularly those who have been elected in citywide and district elections --> {{Election box turnout no party no change |votes = 13,258 |percentage = 26.81 }} {{Election box registered electors no party no change |reg. electors = 49,450 }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no party no change |title=Seattle City Council District 2, General Election 2015<ref name="2015 general election results">{{cite web |title=Elections Results - General and Special Election |url=https://kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/elections/results/2015/201511/results.ashx?la=en |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=21 February 2019 |format=PDF |date=24 November 2015}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Bruce Harrell |votes = 9,532 |percentage = 50.79% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Tammy Morales |votes = 9,188 |percentage = 48.96% }} {{Election box write-in no party no change |votes = 46 |percentage = 0.25% }} {{Election box majority no party no change |votes = 344 |percentage = 1.83% }} {{Election box turnout no party no change |votes = 19,866 |percentage = 39.74 }} {{Election box registered electors no party no change |reg. electors = 49,987 }} {{Election box end}}
===2021 mayoral election=== {{Election box begin no party no change | title = Mayor of Seattle, Primary Election 2021<ref name="2021 primary">{{cite web |title=Election Results |url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20210803/turnout.html |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=23 June 2025 |date=August 17, 2021}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change | candidate = Bruce Harrell
| votes = 69,612 | percentage = 34.00% }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change | candidate = Lorena González
| votes = 65,750 | percentage = 32.11% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Colleen Echohawk
| votes = 21,042 | percentage = 10.28% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Jessyn Farrell
| votes = 14,931 | percentage = 7.29% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Arthur Langlie
| votes = 11,372 | percentage = 5.55% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Casey Sixkiller
| votes = 6,918 | percentage = 3.38% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Andrew Grant Houston
| votes = 5,485 | percentage = 2.68% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = James Donaldson
| votes = 3,219 | percentage = 1.57% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Lance Randall
| votes = 2,804 | percentage = 1.37% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Clinton Bliss
| votes = 1,618 | percentage = 0.79% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Omari Tahir-Garrett
| votes = 391 | percentage = 0.19% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Bobby Tucker
| votes = 377 | percentage = 0.18% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Henry Dennison
| votes = 347 | percentage = 0.17% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Stan Lippmann
| votes = 323 | percentage = 0.16% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Don Rivers
| votes = 189 | percentage = 0.09% }} {{Election box write-in no party no change | votes = 386 | percentage = 0.19% }} {{Election box total no party no change | votes = 206,814 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no party no change | title = Mayor of Seattle, General Election 2021<ref name="2021officialgen">{{cite web|title=Election Results – November 02, 2021|url=https://aqua.kingcounty.gov/elections/2021/nov-general/results.pdf|work=King County Elections|date=November 2, 2021|access-date=November 10, 2021}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change | candidate = Bruce Harrell
| votes = 155,294 | percentage = 58.56% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Lorena González
| votes = 109,132 | percentage = 41.15% }} {{Election box write-in no party no change | votes = 777 | percentage = 0.29% }} {{Election box total no party no change | votes = 265,203 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box end}}
===2025 mayoral election=== {{Election box begin no party no change | title = Mayor of Seattle, Primary Election 2025<ref name="2025prim">{{cite web |title=Election Results |url=https://cdn.kingcounty.gov/-/media/king-county/depts/elections/results/2025/08/2025aug-results-final.pdf?rev=03ac18b8a5c64b839353d0968292f205&hash=D5C32FC300361C7E0BE1615AE101AE71 |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=21 August 2025 |date=August 18, 2025}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change | candidate = Katie Wilson
| votes = 98,562 | percentage = 50.75% }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change | candidate = Bruce Harrell
| votes = 80,043 | percentage = 41.21% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Joe Mallahan
| votes = 8,538 | percentage = 4.40% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Ry Armstrong
| votes = 2,120 | percentage = 1.09% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Clinton Bliss
| votes = 2,046 | percentage = 1.05% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Isaiah Willoughby
| votes = 817 | percentage = 0.42% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Joe Molloy
| votes = 799 | percentage = 0.41% }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Thaddeus Whelan
| votes = 716 | percentage = 0.41% }} {{Election box write-in no party no change | votes = 588 | percentage = 0.3% }} {{Election box turnout no party no change |votes = 198,071 |percentage = 39.50 }} {{Election box registered electors no party no change |reg. electors = 501,438 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no party no change|title=General election results<ref>{{cite web|url=https://election-results-01.kingcounty.gov/results.pdf|title=Election Results: November 04, 2025 - Official Final Election Results|publisher=kingcounty.gov|accessdate=November 26, 2025}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change|candidate=Katie Wilson|votes=138,931|percentage=50.20%}} {{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Bruce Harrell (incumbent)|votes=136,920|percentage=49.47%}} {{Election box write-in no party no change|votes=911|percentage=0.33%}} {{Election box total no party no change|votes=280,375|percentage=100.00}} {{Election box end}}
==College football statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="9"| Def Interceptions<ref>{{cite web |title=Bruce Harrell College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/bruce-harrell-1.html |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |access-date=4 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref> |- ! G !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! IntTD |- ! 1977 !! Washington | 11 || 1 || 7 || 7.0 || 0 |- ! 1978 !! Washington | 11 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 |- ! 1979 !! Washington | 11 || 3 || 41 || 13.7 || 1 |- ! colspan="2"|Totals !! 33 !! 5 !! 48 !! 9.6 !! 1 |}
==See also== * Washington Huskies football statistical leaders
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{Commons category-inline}} *{{C-SPAN|135308}}
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Ed Murray}} {{s-ttl|title=Mayor of Seattle<br>Acting|years=2017}} {{s-aft|after=Tim Burgess}} |- {{s-bef|before=Jenny Durkan}} {{s-ttl|title=Mayor of Seattle|years=2022–2025}} {{s-aft|after=Katie Wilson}} {{s-end}}
{{SeattleMayors}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrell, Bruce}} Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century African-American politicians Category:21st-century African-American politicians Category:21st-century mayors of places in Washington (state) Category:African-American mayors in Washington (state) Category:African-American people in Washington (state) politics Category:American athlete-politicians Category:American city council members of Japanese descent Category:American mayors of Japanese descent Category:American politicians of Japanese descent Category:Asian-American people in Washington (state) politics Category:Garfield High School (Seattle) alumni Category:Mayors of Seattle Category:Seattle City Council members Category:University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences alumni Category:Washington (state) Democrats Category:Washington Huskies football players