Politics & Government

Meet David Carson, Incumbent Candidate for Redmond City Council

Carson says he will prioritize public safety and business if re-elected this November.

Editor's note: What follows is part of a series of candidate profiles Patch will be bringing you for the 2011 elections. City Council member David Carson is running against Sue Stewart for re-election to position No. 7 this November.

Full name: David Michael Carson
Age:
45
Employer and occupation:
I work for Sogeti, USA as a Senior Software Test Engineer currently on assignment with Amazon.com working in mobile applications
Place of birth:
Eugene, Ore.
Where do you live now, and how long have you lived there?
Overlake neighborhood in Redmond. I've lived in Redmond (or across the street on 148th Avenue NE in Bellevue) for 20 years.
Spouse or domestic partner if any: Danielle Carson
Children: None
Education: BS in business management with minor in economics from Oregon State University
Military Service: n/a
Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations: Eastside Time Bank (member), Friends of 60 Acres (Advisory Committee member), Microsoft Alumni Association

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy? No
As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation? No

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Web site: www.Carson4Council.com
Email address: david@Carson4Council.com
Phone number: 206-484-8480
Campaign manager: Mark DeFlorio
Campaign manager contact information: 425-233-7795

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S)

Elected: Currently serve on Redmond City Council, Position No. 7
Other campaigns for public office: none

THIS CAMPAIGN

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? I am running for re-election to the Redmond City Council because I love being an integral part of the evolution of the city I call home. With the success of Microsoft and other key employers, Redmond has grown so much since I moved here in the early ‘90s. Managing that growth responsibly so that Redmond’s great neighborhood feel is maintained has been a real priority for me as well as delivering the city services we all desire at a price that we can still afford. I have also been an advocate for businesses during the recession we’re currently still experiencing. There are companies that are still succeeding, but sometimes the interaction with state and local governments can be challenging. I will continue to be a friend to our business community because without a strong local economy, our jobs picture will suffer.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why? I will always have a passion for public safety as I believe it will always be the one essential service that must be top-notch because lives depend on it. Secondly, I would seek to foster a business environment where would-be businesses choose to locate to support our excellent base of high-tech jobs with products and services. For city government it means a predictable and helpful process for permitting, licensing and sensible regulations. Third on my list would be to support a larger contribution from the general fund to the city’s capital budget to improve our network of roads, bridges, trails and underground utilities. Investments in the right places will prepare the city for long-term success as the economy improves.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders? What sets me apart from my opponent is that I’ve spent my entire working career in the private sector (apart from serving on council) and know what it’s like to scrape up the funds to make payroll. I understand how difficult this recession is on small companies and their employees who often have to make monetary sacrifices. I also know how governments (at all levels) can cause businesses harm with over burdensome regulation and high levels of taxation. I want to see regulation that is common sense-oriented, that has a goal and sticks to that goal, and isn’t just regulation or increased taxation for its own sake.

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How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election? Between $5,000 and $10,000

OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENTS

Organizations

Eastside Business Alliance (Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah Chambers of Commerce)
Washington Association of Realtors
Affordable Housing Council, King County

Business Community

Nelson Legacy Group, Redmond
Lisa Dupar & Jonathan Zimmer, Lisa Dupar Catering and the Pomegranate Bistro, Redmond
Beaux Bowman, Black Raven Brewing, Redmond
George Aiton, GNG Solar of Washington, Redmond
Judy Jewell, Olympian Precast, Redmond
Chuck Moser, Execurent LLC, Redmond (and former Mayor of Bellevue)

Elected officials
Rob McKenna, Washington State Attorney General
Kathy Lambert, King County Councilmember, Redmond
Jane Hague, King County Councilmember, Bellevue
Reagan Dunn, King County Councilmember, Maple Valley
Andy Hill, State Senator, 45th District, Redmond
Jennifer Robertson, Bellevue City Council
Hank Myers, Redmond City Council, Redmond
Jeff Glickman, Woodinville City Council

Individuals
Gigi Burton, Redmond
Bill Dorsey, Redmond
Judy East, Redmond (Past President, Audubon PTSA)
Kareem Choudhry, Redmond
Lois Gustafson, Redmond
Sharon Hood, Redmond
Howard Kuhl, Redmond
Patti Margeson, Redmond
Warren McKenzie, Redmond
Mary Morrow Nelson, Redmond
William "Buff" Nelson, Redmond
Sheri Sanders, Redmond
James & Ashley Watkins, Redmond
Doug White, Redmond
Joel Wright, Redmond
Roger Anderson, Bellevue
Cecelia Jordan, Bellevue
Marty Nizlek, Bellevue
Lois Dobish, Bellevue
Appolo Fuhriman, Bothell
Dan & Beryl Griner, Carnation
Jim Newark, Covington
Arthur Dammkoehller, Clyde Hill
Jerry & Janice Carson, Everett
Nadine Gulit, Issaquah
Dorothy Carson, Kelso
Toby Nixon, Kirkland
Lynn Kraus, Kirkland
Dr. John Vasko, Sammamish
Carrie Vasko, Sammamish
Tom Markl, Seattle
Michael Scheele, Seattle
Al Schy, Seattle
Joe Crecca, North Bend
Joan Crecca, North Bend
Dollie Kosters, Woodinville
Mike Nelson, Woodinville
Brian Nelson, Wenatchee

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