GSBA’s Power Connect Brings Together Major Political Candidates For 2017 Elections

Six top candidates for Seattle’s 2017 mayoral race. From top left row: Mike McGinn, Nikkita Oliver, Jenny Durkan and bottom row from left: Jessyn Farrell, Cary Moon and Bob Hasegawa

It’s a huge year for LGBTQ issues across the country with many civil and human rights for LGBTQ citizens under attack under the Republican dominated United States Congress and with the disastrous Trump Administration in power. Gay residents in Washington State and Seattle specifically certainly have more safeguards than many other less tolerant places but every election is important and even though efforts to remove protections for transgender citizens were squashed last week with the failure of I-1552 to make the November ballot, it’s still very important for area residents to be politically aware about the issues and the candidates in local elections especially when it concerns LGBTQ rights.

This November there are a number of major races locally including important Seattle City Council races and the battle to replace current Ed Murray as mayor of Seattle. Murray, the city’s first out gay mayor, was forced out of this year’s race due to unproven accusations of sexual impropriety in his past. His accuser ended up not going ahead with a lawsuit against the mayor, but Murray ultimately declined to re-enter the race for a second term. Instead, he recently announced he was supporting Jenny Durkan, the former Justice Department attorney and out lesbian who has quickly become a front runner to replace Murray. Durkan’s opponents include the mayor prior to Murray: former mayor Mike McGinn is running a strong campaign to retake the Mayor’s office as are labor leader/statehouse rep Bob Hasegawa and activist Nikkita Oliver.

There are a number of LGBTQ candidates in this year’s election with the race for the open spot on the Seattle City Council at large Position 8 seat including 3 community candidates: transgender activist Mac McGregor, out gay Muslim doctor/performer Hisam Goueli and Charlene Strong a lesbian civil rights activist best known for the documentary film “For My Wife”. There’s even an out gay man running for Seattle School Board Position 5: civil rights activist Zachary DeWolf.

We’re guessing that Dr. Hisam Goueli is the only gay Muslim doctor/burlesque performer running for political office in the world. He’s one of three LGBTQ candidates vying for the open Position 8 seat on the Seattle City Council this year.

All of the above mentioned candidates are scheduled to attend this year’s “Power Connect” forum put on by the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA). This “Civil Engagement” edition of Power Connect features dozens of area candidates as well as incumbent seat holders in an event where the community can engage with all the candidates and ask questions and have discussions about major topics of concern in our area. This year’s event is happening Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at Amazon.com’s Doppler Building at 7th & Westlake. It is free to attend but you should register HERE for this 21 and over event.

More info via GSBA:

Are you fired up and ready to make a difference in this year’s elections? This annual Power Connect mixer is one of the most important of the year and will provide members of the LGBTQ community several ways to increase their civic engagement. This non-partisan event features dozens of elected officials as well as candidates from around the region serving as and/or running for mayor, city and county councils, city attorney, port commission, the state legislature, school district, and judicial positions. This is your chance to talk with policymakers face-to-face about the issues that matter most to YOU. Learn about ballot measures that you will be asked to vote on in August and November. Meet representatives from community organizations who are building up the LGBTQ community across Washington. Find other passionate advocates looking to make meaningful change in our communities.

Appetizers and drinks will be provided by our host. This event is 21+ only.

Presented in partnership with many community organization, this is the region’s largest civic engagement event focused exclusively on the LGBT community.

Date: Tuesday, 18 July 2017

Time: 05:30 PM

Fee: Free

Address: 2031 7th Ave, Seattle, WA

Location: The Meeting Center at Doppler (Amazon)

REGISTER TO ATTEND!!

Scheduled to attend:

Seattle City Council, Pos. 8
Hisam Goueli
Jon Grant
Mac McGregor
Sara Nelson
Sheley Seacrest
Charlene Strong

Seattle City Council, Pos. 9
Councilmember Lorena González*
Pat Murakami
Eric Smiley
Ty Pethe

Seattle Mayor
Jenny Durkan
Jessyn Farrell
Bob Hasegawa
Mike McGinn
Cary Moon
Nikkita Oliver
Jason Roberts

Seattle City Attorney
Pete Holmes*

King County Executive
Executive Dow Constantine*

King County Council
Councilmember Joe McDermott*

King County Sheriff
Mitzi Johanknecht
Sheriff John Urquhart*

Seattle School Board, Pos. 4
Herb Camet Jr.
Sean Champagne
Jennifer Crow
Megan Locatelli Hyska
Eden Mack

Seattle School Board, Pos. 5
Alec Cooper
Zachary DeWolf

Seattle School Board, Pos. 7
Chelsea Byers

Court of Appeals
Judge Michael Spearman*

Legislature
Senator Rebecca Saldaña*
Senator Patty Kuderer*
Representative Christine Kilduff*
Representative Joan McBride*

Des Moines City Council
Chad Harper

Shoreline City Council – Pos. 1
Jin-Ah Kim

Tacoma Mayor
Jim Merritt

Washington Won’t Discriminate Campaign