Dan Strauss introduced himself to the SECB as “Ballard’s paperboy” because, well, he actually delivered papers around Ballard as a kid. That’s how he comes off: a bright, affable young guy who everyone seems to know. Sort of like a younger Mike O’Brien without the baggage that apparently comes with being Mike O’Brien. (We’ll miss you, buddy.)
But Strauss is no chummy dummy. He’s been a professional wonk for a decade, serving as chief policy adviser to Council Member Sally Bagshaw and as a legislative aide to state senator David Frockt. He understands the severity of the challenges ahead. “Kids that I grew up with are living homeless,” he said. “We’ve been in a state of emergency, and people continue to die in the streets.” Of the approximately 172 people running for this seat, Strauss is the candidate with the depth of knowledge and the community connections to address those issues.