SEATTLE — There were hugs for Jim Pugel from former Seattle City Council members Margaret Pageler and Jan Drago just before Pugel announced he wants to follow in their footsteps.
“We have to make sure we grow and change in ways that reflect our commitment to equity that is a city for all,” Pugel said, standing next to the Firefighter Memorial in Pioneer Square.
Pugel is best known for his 31 years’ service with Seattle Police. He retired as interim chief in 2014.
He is running for Council District 7, representing Downtown, Queen Anne, Magnolia and Pioneer Square.
All are neighborhoods hit hard by the homelessness crisis and the opioid epidemic during the time Pugel was on the command staff.
“I think, yeah, certainly the entire criminal justice system was part of the problem,” Pugel said when asked what solutions he could offer. He responded that he's worked closely in the last eight years to help those on the streets “with the downtown Seattle Association, with the ACLU in implementing LEAD, which has greatly reduced those people who are going to jail and instead getting intensive case management.”
And Pugel supports an income tax to raise more money for services.
“We have to come up with an income tax structure. I think there's some billionaires in this city and this county who have suggested that we redo the tax structure."
Pugel becomes the seventh candidate in the field for District 7.
We spoke with the contender who has raised the most money so far, Assistant City Attorney Andrew Lewis. His platform is similar to Pugel’s, but he says the city needs a fresh approach.
“I can bring that level of energy, that level of vigor that people are looking for in delivering basic services around District 7."
It's been 33 years since Pugel as a young officer participated in a video mocking the homeless.
“I clearly apologize, I know it’s still offensive to some. But I hope my record speaks for the 30-some years that have gone after that,” he said Tuesday.
With multiple challengers for every City Council seat, voters are poised to make multiple changes at Seattle City Hall.
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