Slog - Comments on Velazquez Closes In On Harrell http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell Venus Velazquez, who had been trailing behind opponent Bruce Harrell in fundraising for City Council Position 3 (retiring CM Peter Steinbrueck's seat), saw a substantial funding boost in the last six weeks, according to records filed with the city's Ethics and Elections Commission. Since the end of May, Velazquez has raised $29,716; Harrell, the other leading contender for the open seat, has raised $24,078. Velazquez's better-than-usual numbers close the funding gap between her campaign and Harrell's from $23,102 to $17,644--a feat that's more impressive than it sounds, given that Harrell has the support of Seattle's developer and business establishment, including... Copyright 2008 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:03:41 -0800 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:19:08 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by The Whole Story Hmmm, I can appreciate that ECB supports Venus, but maybe we should mention that Bruce Harrell is also endorsed by three local Dem District organizations. This will be a close race as both candidates have strong grassroots and community support.

]]> The Whole Story http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c764629 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c764629 Politics Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:44:48 -0800 Comment by SeMe i havent seen ecb come out for venus. did i miss that one?

i wouldnt say harrell has grassroots support ( whatever that means these days.) ethnic community support in this city, just like any other city goes to the candidate from that community, thus harrell has asian and african american support and venus has latino community support. the activists and on the ground grassroots folks dont really have a candidate to speak of. though venus has been up front in support of casa latina, and immigration and has the support of activists organizations like HATE FREE ZONE. harrell has establishment support. alki and the landlords, he has not been impressive and him speaking positively of the patriot act really suck. i agree that it will be a close race, but harrell has mos def proven to be the developers' dream. he is a little more right than most people currently on the council.

]]> SeMe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c764654 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c764654 Politics Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:57:39 -0800 Comment by wf hard to get excited about this race.

]]> wf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c764749 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c764749 Politics Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:05:49 -0800 Comment by YadaYada Another meaningless money/horserace/snapshot.

]]> YadaYada http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c764815 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c764815 Politics Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:55:33 -0800 Comment by Jon At Hate Free Zone's candidate forum, Harrell answered a question about police accountability. He spoke well of Kerlikowske, spouting off some nonsense about how Gil's a great guy (who he has had breakfast with), BUT accountability is paramount, BUT city council has no business worrying about police affairs so long as there is a need for affordable housing. The lameness of that answer, regardless of how you feel about the police chief, was really something to behold...essentially three different answers to the same question. And he got worked up almost to the point of yelling. He was essentially yelling gibberish. I think he was attempting to look passionate about police accountability, while saying that it's not something he is going to be concerned about.

I am not impressed by Bruce Harrell at all. Velazquez at least comes across as sincere and consistent.

]]> Jon http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c764928 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c764928 Politics Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:46:57 -0800 Comment by neo-realist Harrell sounds like a trianglating Clinton type trying to be the establishment candidate by playing to as many sides of the street as possible. That's the last thing we need in this city. How the hell can a african american (or in his case) a half african american candidate stand by Kerlikowske after he literally condoned police brutality against harmless african american suspects? Furthermore, how could seattle african americans support a candidate who turns a blind eye to police brutality against their own people?

At least Velazquez has shown some potential to buck the establishment.

]]> neo-realist http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c765016 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c765016 Politics Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:15:55 -0800 Comment by gnossos gawd this race is awful. Damn you Peter S., I wish you could retract your decision.

]]> gnossos http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c765044 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c765044 Politics Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:16:52 -0800 Comment by yuk Bruce Harrell is weirdly un-impressive. I mean he looks the part (tall, male, etc), but sounds like he just got into class.

]]> yuk http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c765067 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/07/velazquez_closes_in_on_harrell#c765067 Politics Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:19:08 -0800