VIDEO: First mayoral candidate to announce in West Seattle – Greg Hamilton

Almost directly across the street from where Mayor Murray announced last week that he would not run for re-election, a new candidate announced tonight that he’s in the race. Greg Hamilton is an entrepreneur and military veteran who served in the Special Forces (his biography is here) and says he wants to “save Seattle.” He is the first candidate to make his announcement in West Seattle – it happened at Pegasus Pizza, where we talked with him for a few minutes:

P.S. This is official “filing week” for mayor of Seattle and many other offices around King County, through Friday; you can check here to see who has filed so far; 14 mayoral candidates had registered campaigns with the city through today (not yet including Hamilton), and they are listed here.

35 Replies to "VIDEO: First mayoral candidate to announce in West Seattle - Greg Hamilton"

  • WS booster May 15, 2017 (10:56 pm)

    Really? You think you have what it takes to run a large metropolis? Seems like you’ve got too much to learn to hit the ground running sir. Terrible answers to the simplest of questions. #sad

    • Greg May 16, 2017 (12:50 pm)

       I’ll take the hit, It wasn’t a good interview. I was caught one minute before an nearly unplanned speech for a 100 people and the guy thought I currently lived in west Seattle


      That said, I doubt I’ll ever know the specific impact of any policy on every street in the city. We know we need to fix transportation. We know the citizens are not being listened to at all. We need to fix that. 


      • WSB May 16, 2017 (1:26 pm)

        Thanks for responding to commenters! Just for the record – the person who invited us on Sunday to cover your event on Monday told us in e-mail that you are a West Seattle resident. So that would be why WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand believed that to be the case. – Tracy

        • Greg May 16, 2017 (6:58 pm)

          I think in the excitement , the fact I grew up there, and and the fact I was announcing there, got all mixed in to the message.

          Sitting on the seawall eating Spuds and learning that you cant take your eyes of your fries or the seagulls will get them are some of my earliest memories, and  sitting in that same spot is my favorite place to eat my fish and chip to this day.

    • Todd Y May 16, 2017 (2:30 pm)

      Consider listening to Greg’s full talk last night in West Seattle.  He is legit.  I think you will be impressed.  No speech, no teleprompter, no notes.  

    • Nick Benzschawel May 16, 2017 (6:18 pm)

      This is Greg Hamilton’s Mayoral Candidacy Speech. You’ll get a MUCH better interpretation of his platform and agenda. https://youtu.be/pJ04J9ILml0

  • Independent Patriot May 16, 2017 (6:46 am)

     Greg, you’re a breath of fresh air!

    You will bring people together to make this city truly world class.  You won’t engage in the typical identity politics, pitting small groups against one another.  Your military training gives you perspective, the ability to make decisions under stress and with incomplete information, and to organize people of various backgrounds and skills to accomplish a common purpose.  You are an entrepreneur, you’ve taken personal risks, and succeeded.  As a native Seattleite, you’ve seen the city transform, and truly understand how great she can be.

    Gung Ho! 

  • FedUpInBallard May 16, 2017 (7:13 am)

    Good work Greg, this is history in the making. Or we can just keep doing the same thing over and expect a different result. 

  • anonyme May 16, 2017 (8:07 am)

    For once I’d  like to hear a candidate talk about their plan for fixing problems.  Murray is an easy target, and I want him gone.  But please provide some real nuts & bolts information, not just the usual political vagaries.  “Seattle culture” is a meaningless term, unless it is merely doublespeak for something I’m not aware of.

  • Bob Morgan May 16, 2017 (8:10 am)

    Wow, it’s very refreshing to actually hear a politician say he/she doesn’t have all the answers and isn’t an expert on everything and that they need to seek counsel from those who are. That kind of realistic self-assessment and hubris is all too rare in those who seek political power.

  • Fred May 16, 2017 (8:13 am)

    Wow an honest person running for Seattle Mayor who is actually from the city!

    Also a special operations veteran!!!

    He may be a great alternative to all the other candidates who will try to use that job a an international rights platform rather than the city manager we need.

    I may very well vote for him…

  • Rick May 16, 2017 (10:27 am)

    Crap,I’ll run.   Vote for me.

  • Greg May 16, 2017 (10:52 am)

    Thanks for interviewing me, no I wasn’t really ready to talk yet but that’s ok, and there was confusion about me living in West seattle.

    No, I don’t currently live in West Seattle,  I grew up there but my specific knowledge of west Seattles issues ended in 1975 when I was 10 ! 

    I was trying o prepare for a rushed announcement we felt compelled to make as the word already got out, and I didn’t want to deny you the opportunity to talk to me since you took the time to come down. I hope in the future we have more time and the right environment.

    I look forward to hearing from west Seattle experts on what the issues are.

    A leader isn’t the expert on everything, he supposed find the people that are.

    • MJ May 16, 2017 (11:12 am)

      good luck and thanks for your service

  • Dean May 16, 2017 (11:05 am)

    For far too long, Seattle has been run by extremist, single-issue politicians like Ed Murray and Kashama Sawant. Glad to see someone in the middle running and trying to restore some sanity to the city’s government.

    • Trucker May 16, 2017 (11:31 am)

      Seattle’s leadership has no business announcing it will march on local factories and seize the machinery for the workers, or give all its employees a paid day off for protests. They need to get back to the business of representing the citizens – ALL the citizens – including those who work hard and contribute every single day.

  • Christian May 16, 2017 (11:08 am)

    Good job Greg! You’ve already got my vote. Hoping we can make some real positive change in this great city of ours.

  • Todd Y May 16, 2017 (11:18 am)

    Greg is a welcome relief from the whack-job partisan politicians and part-time pedophiles that have been running the city for the past 30 years.  More than anything, Seattle needs a no-nonsense, pragmatic, a-political, non-partisan leader.  I’ve known Greg for 20+ years and he fits the bill.  20 years as an Army Ranger and Green Beret, 25 years as a successful businessman. Check out his website: http://vote-greg-hamilton.org/

  • James May 16, 2017 (11:27 am)

    Great job answering these tough questions Mr Hamilton. The breath of fresh air Seattle needs. You obviously represent everyone not just the special interest groups and your an authentic personality. I actually have hope for Seattle again with you running for our Mayor!!!

  • John May 16, 2017 (11:44 am)

    This candidate is more exciting than any of the others. Why? Simply because he’s not out to promote special interests, but instead wants to benefit everyone that lives in Seattle. Everyone else seems to have a “cause” or political point to make –  his is to enhance the lives of everyone calling Seattle home. 

  • John Clark May 16, 2017 (12:00 pm)

    Compassion is helping people to help themselves.  Working together. 

    Greg’s observation regarding the lack of technical schools in the technology capital of the country was spot on.  That’s the type of innovation we need.  Think big!

    Look at Guliani’s successes in New York for the types of positive impacts a change in leadership can make on a large city.

    We have talented people, we have resources, we need leadership. 

  • Chris G May 16, 2017 (12:16 pm)

    We need more common sense, pragmatic candidates like Mr. Hamilton.  He’s not beholden to any party or special interest group and appears to represent the growing middle of the electorate.  Looking forward to seeing how he frames this campaign.

  • Chris May 16, 2017 (12:17 pm)

    Sounds interesting. Speaks intelligently but with humility, which is nice

  • seattlelite 206 May 16, 2017 (12:23 pm)

    got my vote

  • M May 16, 2017 (12:57 pm)

    I heard his speech last night and it was one of the best I’ve heard. Definitely from the heart! I’m in. You got my vote Mr. Hamilton

  • dcn May 16, 2017 (4:55 pm)

    I’m going to reserve judgement for now, but I visited Mr. Hamilton’s platform (http://vote-greg-hamilton.org/platform/), and it needs work. It’s a one paragraph promise to fix absolutely every problem Seattle has, many of them “for low cost.” He states that he will reduce the cost-of-living in Seattle. I think that train has already left the station. I know it’s early, but I would like specific and sensible ideas, not just vague pipe dreams. I like that he said he’s not an expert on everything, and will hire those, but someone who declared his candidacy for mayor should at least have a realistic agenda.

  • Michael May 16, 2017 (5:20 pm)

    I believe Clay Eals is free this fall. Not overlooking this prospect but I cant think of ANYONE more qualified at this time. Just this last year the guy had volunteers in the rain supporting Easy street records and Cupcake Royal buildings claiming historical landmark status. It takes a village!

  • Steven May 16, 2017 (6:20 pm)

    I’m looking forward to a mayor who’s interests are on Seattle, not a federal appointment.

  • RickB May 16, 2017 (9:11 pm)

    Not trying to be a jerk, but can we get verification of the military service? After Graham Hunt, it seems we can’t trust peoples’ statements.

    http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/rep-graham-hunt-resigns-over-military-service-exaggerations/ 

    • John May 17, 2017 (2:18 am)

      Would the people that served with him that attended the announcement be enough verification?

      I understand concerns about stolen valor and false military claims. That is not the case here.

  • Alkiguy May 16, 2017 (11:00 pm)

    Great timing. Just today I was lamenting the state of city affairs with a co-worker and later, with my dad at lunch in Ballard. As a fourth generation Seattleite, I don’t recognize this place anymore. I hope that there is some substance here…

  • Chris A May 17, 2017 (12:41 pm)

    Wow, finally, someone who is not a simpleton sycophant decided to go for it. 

  • RLTW May 18, 2017 (12:13 am)

    Looking forward to Greg and his “A” Team as Seattle’s new leadership. 

    De Opresso Liber.

  • WS BOOSTER May 19, 2017 (9:28 pm)

     I just wish Sawant or Herbold would have run.  They are what our great metropolis needs in order to carry on Murray’s great progressive works.

  • Emerson May 22, 2017 (10:18 am)

    Greg,  You missed a big segment of the population – seniors.  We have lived in our house over 45 years in the Haller Lake neighborhood.  We have seen crime increase to the point where we have locking mail boxes and have to drive to the post office every day to mail letters.  Packages are stolen off our porches 5 minutes after they are delivered.  We now have cameras on our property (they don’t stop crime) and alarm systems.  We can’t even go to our local 7-11 for fear of getting beaten up.  And on and on.  Our property taxes, utility bills and pot holes in our streets are making it impossible to live here anymore.  We are 78 years old and moving was never in our minds – until now!!

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