I am writing to say thank you to the voters of Tukwila. This was my first election process, and after serving on the City Council for two years through an appointment process, I am deeply grateful and appreciative of your votes and confidence to serve our community four more years.
My first campaign was extremely insightful and enriching. I never took for granted I was running as an incumbent, and I held true to the campaign process of raising money, seeking endorsements within Tukwila and listening to good advice from experienced campaigners. The most important advice I received was to get out and talk with the community, and so I did. I walked all nine Tukwila neighborhoods this summer and fall, speaking with many of you about life, values and policies in Tukwila. What I loved about the experience is that you were extremely honest in our conversations, you did not let your dogs attack me (some were as tall as me), you graciously allowed my campaign signs in your yards and you expressed your concerns and hopes to the dreams of living a quality life in Tukwila. I want you to know I heard you, and I hold these conversations and observations deep in my heart moving forward.
This coming year will provide some of the same challenges of the past and some new challenges, but I want you to know my passion and excitement to serve the community as a whole has never been higher. It is my desire to make the world a better place, starting in Tukwila. I heard the voices of those who spoke, and I see the struggles of those who didn’t, and in both cases, I really do appreciate the opportunity to serve everyone with energy and passion.
– Thomas McLeod
