State Representative Jessyn Farrell of Northeast Seattle has joined the increasingly crowded race for Seattle Mayor.
She announced via email early Friday morning, in a much quieter campaign launch compared to former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan who announced the same morning.
"We are facing deeply challenging times," Farrell told reporters, surrounded by her husband and three children.
"There are a number of candidates in the race, I am the candidate with the progressive track record with five years in the legislature," she continued.
One of her first endorsements is from Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib who praised her ability to "put her progressive values into action."
"She didn't just talk about income inequality; she got her colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass a statewide increase in minimum wage, paid sick leave, and workplace protections for pregnant workers" Habib wrote in a statement.
Farrell also describes herself one of the state's strongest champions of "smart urban growth."
"What I bring is a really different approach my track record is around collaboration. I’m an attorney; I’m a mediator; I’m an activist. I go into the neighborhoods and do the work by listening to people and building consensus."
Farrell, who also served as a past executive director of Transportation Choices Coalition, listed transportation, affordability, climate changes as some of her top issues. She named homelessness as the final straw of why she entered the race.
"It is a moral outrage," said Farrell who promised to deliver more specifics on how to solve the city's challenges in the weeks to come, including a "major plan on land use and affordability."
Farrell also expressed support for the city's income tax proposal on high earners.
"We need to make sure the wealthiest few and corporations pay their fair share," she said.
She defined her base of potential voters as fellow parents, renters and elderly struggling with property taxes.
She also noted she's a working mom.
"We haven't had a woman mayor in 92 years," said Farrell. "I don’t think there are a lot of working moms in big, urban mayoral positions around the country, and it’s time to break some molds."
