Political strategist kept on taxpayer-funded contract by Harrell in ‘strange’ arrangement

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell kept political strategist Christian Sinderman on a taxpayer-funded contract for three years after he was elected mayor, in a move The Seattle Times called “unusual and even unprecedented” after the outlet uncovered this agreement.

He was not a city employee, but he had a city email and access to top meetings while his firm continued to do campaign work. Sinderman, 57, is among the state’s most sought-after Democratic political consultants.

Ethics officials allowed it, saying it was “different” and “strange,” according to The Seattle Times, but not illegal. The taxpayer-funded arrangement lasted three years, with Sinderman becoming directly involved with the daily workings of the mayor’s office.

“All mayors have political advisers, and it’s common for campaign staff to transition into government. But when they do, they typically get hired as full-time government employees,” The Seattle Times wrote. “Sinderman’s arrangement was different. He was paid by taxpayers — $227,000 over the three years — but was never a city employee, nor fully removed from his political firm, Northwest Passage Consulting, which continued to profit from campaign work that intersected with City Hall.”

Harrell argued Sinderman brought valuable experience, while critics claimed it blurred the line between politics and governing. Those concerned were worried Sinderman was not dedicated to public policy, but rather prioritized Harrell’s reelection or the firm’s other clients.

Members of Harrell’s administration admitted that Sinderman was “everywhere,” telling The Seattle Times, “he was the political eyes and ears.” For example, Sinderman allegedly helped write ballot measures to fund transportation services and affordable housing construction, both valued at more than $1 billion. Sinderman’s firm was then contracted by the levy campaigns to help sell the measures to voters.

“Given his external experience, we just think it’s a helpful skill set to have when we’re trying to run the city government sort of in a collaborative way,” Harrell said, according to The Seattle Times.

The contract ended this year as the mayoral election for Seattle heats up. In total, The Seattle Times uncovered Sinderman was paid $50,000 during Harrell’s transition period, $52,000 for the rest of 2022, $58,000 in 2023, and $67,000 in 2024.

This is a developing story, check back for updates