The verdict is in.

Dear friends,

It’s been an amazing year and I do not regret one thing. Politics is a contact sport and we all take hits along the way. The challenge is learning how to collide without falling down. After a good night’s sleep the verdict is in: I had fun and remain on the balls of my feet, ready for action.

My style has always been to look inward, and then expand. So here’s what I learned:

• History is to be learned from and treasured, but cannot be allowed to paralyze us when action is required. We are changing. The outdated model of digging in our heels to avoid any change is on its last leg. The new model we must embrace is to grow with grace, innovation and compassion. David Brewster coined it best over the past few days, “Seattle and the region badly need a new narrative...” With that, a New Urbanism narrative is coalescing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, these are exciting times for our great city.


• We need more women and people of color in the game.


• Seattle is full of wonderful, thoughtful people. They remain our best asset if we find them and listen with an earnest ear.

I jumped into a challenging race because it was the right thing to do. I may not have been elected in this go-round, but that doesn’t allow any of us to sit back and watch -- there is too much to be done.

Keeping families in Seattle means building affordable neighborhoods families want to live in. Getting citizens engaged in local issues means we demand leaders who bicker less and solve more; leaders resist the urge to punt; leaders who innovate.

A heartfelt congratulations to all those who were elected. We expect much of you!

Defining our new urban narrative in a pragmatic and sustainable way continues to be my work. Ensuring we keep a sharp focus on ordinary neighborhood concerns like safety, schools, jobs and mobility. Ensuring we are working together as a region.

I’m thrilled to continue this next chapter with you at my side and remain grateful of your investment in me.

Onward,

Jessie

P.S. This is a worthwhile election season recap and a quick read – and not just because Brewster said lovely things about me! Crosscut – What I liked about this election.