‘The city is thriving’: Seattle business owner says Harrell delivered on cleanup promise
Nov 1, 2025, 5:00 AM | Updated: 6:29 am
As Seattle’s mayoral race nears its close with the election on Tuesday, a Seattle business owner who previously called out incumbent candidate Mayor Bruce Harrell for lackluster crime management has had a change of heart.
Leyla Farange, owner of Gyros Place near the West Lake Center, announced growing concerns with Harrell and city officials in 2022, stating, “This is a state of emergency. I think Governor Jay Inslee and [Mayor Harrell] need to work together and fix it. This is not OK. Public safety right now doesn’t exist.”
Farange looked back on her statements from 2022 while speaking on “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, discussing her pleasure with the cleanup efforts throughout the city, especially outside her business.
“It’s so calm, it’s so clean. I don’t see anybody doing drugs, no shoplifting,” Farange said. “When I was coming in today, I took pictures and sent them to you guys. It’s clean, calm, and gorgeous. People should come and enjoy this gorgeous city.”
Farange was asked about her biggest issue in the mayoral race as it comes to a head, with incumbent Bruce Harrell trailing the challenger Katie Wilson in recent polls.
“The City of Seattle right now is on the right path. I don’t want any change right now,” Farange said. “Bruce Harrell is the only politician who said he would clean up Seattle and did it. He cleaned up so well, the city is thriving. I wish you guys could come and see how clean and beautiful the market is, it’s absolutely gorgeous.”
Watch the full discussion in the video above.
Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.
