By Stacy NguyenNorthwest Asian Weekly
By Stacy Nguyen
Northwest Asian Weekly
“It’s very important to us to hear from everyone in Seattle about what they think is important,” Seattle Mayor-elect Mike McGinn has said, referring to how his campaign for mayor was run differently than how campaigns are normally run — in a good way — and how he hopes to continue this grassroots spirit in his administration.
During his campaign, McGinn had no paid staff and was known for riding his bicycle to events, cementing himself in the public eye as a community activist, one who works for the ‘little guy.’
“He has demonstrated a willingness to take on the status quo,” wrote Kip Tokuda in a letter. “Mike’s style is more bottom-up, inclusive, and intentional. I have found him to be approachable … one comfortable at leading a large forum, or simply sharing notes over coffee.” Tokuda is a former State Representative from the 37th Legislative District and who is also one of McGinn’s transition facilitators.
Background
McGinn grew up as one of six children and was raised by educators. His mother was a school principal; his father was the director of community services for a school district.
McGinn earned his bachelor’s in economics from Williams College and earned his law degree from the University of Washington. After college, he eventually became partner at the Seattle law firm Stokes Lawrence for 13 years, where he dealt with contract disputes, class actions, intellectual property, land use, and environmental cases.
Before becoming mayor
McGinn was president of the Greenwood Community Council until 2006 and worked on with business owners, property owners, residents and city staff to develop a vision for mixed use redevelopment of the neighborhood business district.
He most recently co-founded and was executive director of Great City, a nonprofit organization that brings together neighbors, environmentalists, and business leaders.
Under McGinn, Great City coordinated the Green Legacy Coalition, which urged the city council to make new investments in parks and green spaces.
McGinn has chaired the local chapter of the Sierra Club since 1995, overseeing the Club’s work on state and local issues. Most recently, McGinn was chosen by the Sierra Club President to serve on the nominating committee for the Sierra Club National Board. With the Club, he advocated for Seattle to take a lead on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Currently
“[McGinn] is very welcoming in trying to push an inclusive form of government,” said Tokuda in November. “It’s only been one week since the concession, but I feel very positive.” Tokuda is one of many Asian Americans that McGinn has reached out to.
Asian Americans have been prominent at McGinn’s transition outreach meeting, a public meeting design to garner input from community members. Often seen at these meetings are: Mike Woo, Naomi Sanchez, Al Sugiyama, Mark Okazaki, Cherry Cayabyab, Diane Narasaki, Frank Irigon, Candace Inagi, Linh Thai, and Thao Tran, to name a few.
Tran is also a full-time staff member at McGinn’s office.
“Mike is really trying to reach out to all communities, to gain trust in his administration,” said Okazaki, executive director of Neighborhood House.
Most recently, McGinn announced that one of his deputy mayors would be Phil Fujii, the community relations manager at Vulcan Inc. Fujii previously worked with McGinn in 2000 when Fujii was with the city’s Department of Neighborhoods and McGinn was a Greenwood neighborhood leader, according to The Seattle Times.
The ‘real’ Mike
When he isn’t busy transitioning into the role of Seattle’s mayor, he enjoys coaching his sons and daughter in youth sports as well as tending to his garden.
McGinn is married to Peggy Lynch and they have three children, Jack, Miyo, and Cian. ¬
Stacy Nguyen can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.