PRESS RELEASE

DEPUTY MAYOR JARED NIEUWENHUIS ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

January 26, 2021 

BELLEVUE, WA – Standing with family, elected officials, and neighborhood leaders, Deputy Mayor Jared Nieuwenhuis announced his re-election campaign for Bellevue City Council today.

“Serving the interests of the entire Bellevue community has been an honor and privilege, and I am committed to continue working for this special city,” said Nieuwenhuis. “I will maintain my commitment in a second term to be a champion of the priorities that matter to those who call Bellevue home.” Bellevue elected Nieuwenhuis to the City Council in 2017 with a mandate to keep Bellevue strong by focusing on public safety, environmental stewardship, protecting neighborhoods and parks, sustainable growth, and maintaining the “Bellevue Way” to guide critical decisions and maintain the City’s high quality of life.

“Jared is an exceptional leader for the people of Bellevue. His leadership as Bellevue’s Deputy Mayor during this difficult time with COVID-19 has been critical in keeping Bellevue on track and maintaining effective government services,” said Bellevue Councilmember Jennifer Robertson. “Jared’s commitment to Bellevue and his collaborative approach has fostered council cohesion and helped us to successfully tackle important regional issues.”

Elected by the Council to serve as Deputy Mayor, Nieuwenhuis has been a steady and robust leader during this time of uncertainty with COVID-19. Despite the challenges, Nieuwenhuis has a strong record of accomplishing the priorities important to Bellevue residents, including:

  • Maintaining funding priorities for the Bellevue Police and Fire as part of a balanced budget without raising taxes

  • Balancing a budget that included a $16MM shortfall due to COVID-19 that positions the City for a rapid recovery

  • Providing extra support to small businesses impacted by the shutdowns to keep people safely working during the pandemic

  • Significantly increasing City support for affordable housing in Bellevue

  • Increasing funding for vulnerable community members who have been hardest hit by the pandemic

  • Working collaboratively with local and regional leaders to improve our multi-modal transportation system

  • Focusing on equity by expanding outreach and inclusion to all communities in Bellevue

“Bellevue is such a great place to live, work, and raise a family, and I am so proud to be a part of this community.  During my time on the Council, we have accomplished so much by working together,” said Nieuwenhuis.   “During the next four years, I plan to build on these accomplishments, including continuing to increase the supply of affordable housing, adding family-wage jobs, protecting our natural environment, and keeping Bellevue as one of the safest, most inclusive, and most livable cities in America.”

“Jared is a friend of immigrants and our diverse population. He understands the values people from all over the world bring to Bellevue and how the City has prospered culturally and economically from its diverse population,” said Bellevue Councilmember Conrad Lee. “Jared has that unique ability to bring people together from all sides together for discussion, to find solutions, and ultimately to deliver tangible results for our community.”

During his tenure, Deputy Mayor Nieuwenhuis has held several assignments, including serving as Council liaison to the Human Services Commission, East Bellevue Community Council, Probation Advisory Board, Environmental Services Commission, Wilburton-Grand Connection Citizen Advisory Committee, and Cascade Water Alliance. He also serves on the King County Domestic Violence Initiative Regional Task Force and the LifeWire Board of Directors. 

Jared’s collaborative approach has earned him early endorsements across the political spectrum and the region, including Bellevue Firefighters Local 1604, Eastside Business Alliance, State Representative Amy Walen, Mayor Lynne Robinson, Councilmember Jennifer Robertson, Councilmember Conrad Lee, former Mayor John Chelminiak, former Deputy Mayor Kevin Wallace, Mercer Island Deputy Mayor Wendy Weiker, King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, and King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert.

Deputy Mayor Nieuwenhuis and his family make their home in the Lake Hills neighborhood of Bellevue. Bellevue residents and those interested in learning more about his re-election campaign are encouraged to visit JaredForBellevue.com.

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