Last time I talked to self-proclaimed “punk rocker in a suit” James Keblas, he told me he was “strongly considering” a run for Seattle City Council. But we all knew that was bullshit, right? Those people always end up running for real. And indeed! Keblas—who cofounded the Vera Project and spent nine years at the city’s Office of Film + Music—will run for citywide council position 9, where there’s no incumbent* in the race. (There is a mayoral ally, though. More on that in a second.)
Council Member Nick Licata—who’s in full political chitchat mode now that he’s not running for reelection—got this e-mail from Keblas last week:
Hello Councilmember Licata,
I am not sure if you have heard, but I am running for Council to fill the Position 9 seat. I am inspired in great part by the vacancy of your departure and how that voice needs to be retained. Nick, you are a friend and an elected official I admire and would be grateful to get advice from.
Any chance we can get together sooner than later to talk?
Thanks for considering,
James
Keblas tells me he’ll file to run this week. He doesn’t have any specific policy proposals yet, but says he’s focused on housing affordability, education, and “thinking about how small businesses can succeed.” As he starts campaigning in earnest, though, expect arts and entertainment to be at the forefront.
“For 15 years I’ve been driving arts and cultural agendas in Seattle,” he says. “It’s really important for those to be represented at city hall.”
Now, about that mayoral ally—and Keblas’s own relationship with Mayor Ed Murray. Last year, Murray didn’t reappoint Keblas to his role as head of the city’s Office of Film + Music (translation: fired him), creating an uproar in the local scene. Then, Keblas held his own press conference at City Hall to thank the mayor for firing him and talk about his new job at a creative agency. Awkward. Now, Keblas will be running against Lorena González, who works as legal counsel to the mayor and already has his endorsement.
Keblas says he thinks Murray “had a fantastic year,” he likes what the mayor is “driving for for Seattle,” and “anything in the past with me not being reappointed doesn’t impact my ability to work with him in any way.”
But he also says this: “The city council is an important check and balance with the executive, and I think I bring a strong independent voice.”
Along with González, neighborhood activist Bill Bradburd and bakery owner Terry Hofman have filed for this seat. And Keblas will have some catching up to do. González has already raised almost $25,000, and Bradburd has $22,000.
* Council Member Sally Clark had filed for this seat, but she dropped out last month. Then Council Member Mike O’Brien was thinking about jumping into this race, but now his campaign says he’s sticking with District 6, covering Ballard and Fremont.
