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Politics & Government

In Their Own Words: Meet City Council Candidate D.J. Wilson

Incumbent councilman wants to continue to reshape local government.

What is your full, legal name?

 Donald James Wilson

Where do you work and what is your job title?

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President, Wilson Strategic Communications, a public affairs firm focused on policy solutions, which employees people right here in Edmonds

When and where were you born?

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Portland, OR 1975

Where do you live now and how long have you lived there?

Edmonds for about 11 years.

Spouse or domestic partner if any:

Wife, Karianna

Children:

Karsten, 5, and Annika, 3

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):

MA in international economics, The Johns Hopkins School of Advance International Study (1999);  Graduate Diploma in international studies, The Johns Hopkins Bologna Center – SAIS (1998); BA, political science and Italian studies, Gonzaga University (1997)

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any):

None

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:

Here is a partial list:

Edmonds City Council, 2007-present
       -  Council President, 2009
       -  Chair, Public Safety & HR Committee, 2010-present 
   Board of Directors, SNOCOM, 2010-present
       -  911 call center for south Snohomish County
       -  Member of the Budget Committee
   Trustee, Cascade Land Conservancy, 2003-present
   Member, Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee
   Co-Founder, Lake Ballinger Watershed Forum, 2007-present
   Delegate, Snohomish County Labor Council, 2001-2005
   Member, American Federation of Teachers, 2000-present
   Member, South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce, 2005-present
   Past Member, Edmonds Chamber of Commerce
   Past Member, Edmonds Daybreakers Rotary
   Past Chair, Snohomish County Conservation Voters
   Past President, Edmonds Public Education Foundation
   Past Board Member, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy?

No.

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?

No


CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Web site: djwilson.com
Email address: dj@djwilson.com
Phone number: 425-876-3880
Campaign manager: Karsten Wilson
Campaign manager contact information: 425-876-3880

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Elected (includes years of service):

Edmonds City Council 2007-present

Other campaigns for public office:

County Council 2003; State legislature, 2001

THIS CAMPAIGN:

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

Government everywhere is struggling to adapt to the economic climate in a way that continues to provide basic services to citizens. My professional career is focused on creating solutions for government, rethinking the way communities approach public policy challenges.

I’m running to continue my work reshaping city government, finding efficiencies where possible, promoting economic development to keep taxes low, and focusing on regional clean water initiatives.


What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?

1.  Rethinking and reshaping how we provide basic city services to keep cost pressures low and create efficiencies through collaboration.

2.  Promoting economic development that maintains the character of our community, like further developing our health care community near the hospital and building a collaborative approach to developing neighborhood commercial activity

3.  Promoting policies that protect and support our environment, like implementing the Clean Water Act in Edmonds – something many on the Council opposed – and other environmental initiatives which I’ve championed since coming on the Council

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders?

I taught political science at the community college for years, worked in Washington DC in the US Senate, and have a consulting firm today focused on making government work. I know how to get results for our citizens, and I know how to move government forward. That is an uncommon experience and one I’m proud to put to work on behalf of the citizens of Edmonds today.


How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election?

Around $20 K.


Official endorsements:

Congressman Jay Inslee – U.S. House of Representatives
Sen. Paull Shin – Washington State Senate
Sen. Nick Harper – Washington State Senate
Rep. Marko Liias – Washington State House of Representatives
Rep. Luis Moscoso – Washington State House of Representatives
Rep. David Frockt – Washington State House of Representatives
Rep. Cindy Ryu – Washington State House of Representatives
Hon. Dave Somers – Chair, Snohomish County Council
Hon. Bob Ferguson – King County Council
Bill Phillips – Chair, Snohomish County Democrats
Mayor Mike Cooper – City of Edmonds

Mayor Mark Lamb – City of Bothell
Mayor Jerry Smith - City of Mountlake Terrace
Mayor David Hutchison – City of Lake Forest Park
Hon. Shannon Affholter – President, Everett City Council

Hon. Ron Wambolt – Edmonds City Council (retired)

Hon. Mauri Moore – Edmonds City Council (retired)

Hon. Michael W. Herb – Edmonds City Council (retired)

Hon. Michelle Robles - Mountlake Terrace City Council
Hon. Susan Paine – President, Edmonds School Board
Hon. Bruce Faires – Port of Edmonds Commissioner

Washington Conservation Voters

Edmonds Police Officers Association

Snohomish County Democrats

NARAL Pro-Choice Washington

Affordable Housing Council

SEIU 775NW

Realtors Association

Bob Wilcox
Paul Anderson
Walter Peale
Kerry & Mark Ayers
Gayle & Ross Marturano
Greg Boland
Mike McCarthy
Carl Brecht
Daniel McMillan
Jolee Cano
Jack McRae
Rose Cantwell
Mike Mestres
Todd Cloutier
 Helen Moser
Tracy Cobbin
Kate & Stohn Nishino
Elizabeth Crouch
Don Olsen
Beth & Richard Dunton
Vivian Olson
Eric Earling
Dave Page
Mike Echelbarger
Charlene Fetter
John Quast
Alex Rivera
Lisa Gallucci
Gwyn Schweppe
Stacy Gardea
Priya Sinha
Candy & Charlie Gaul
 David Smith
Lee Grogg
Carol Strickland
Don Hall
Darryl & Joy Ulskey
Cindi Jay
Evelyn Wellington
Bill Keppler
Jim Wilkinson
Joan Longstaff
Ann & Jim Wold
Rick Steves
Karen Jurewicz
Charlene Fetter
Eric & Christina Radcliffe
Tina & David Vincent
Mike Hathaway
Skylar Barrett
 John Pierre
Meg & Jerry Thorsen
Wed Gallaugher
Ann Kashiwa
Ed Peterson
Sharon Ruff
Lynda Hughes
Ross & Gayle Marturano
Dave Page
Gwyn Schweppe
Tom Russell

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