‘Seattle needs help’: Mayoral candidate ready to leave doctor’s office for city office

The August primary for the election of Seattle mayor is fast approaching, and one candidate, a medical doctor with zero prior political experience, believes he’s just what the city needs.

“I think that it actually is partially my medical background that brought me into this,” Dr. Clinton Bliss said on “Seattle’s Morning News.” “I think that a lot of the rhetoric I hear about dealing with our homeless population really is dealing with addiction and mental health, and that’s something that I have extensive experience in managing.”

Bliss’ goals if elected as Seattle’s mayor

Bliss’ three primary goals as Seattle’s next mayor are to restore public safety, utilize public funds to benefit all Seattleites, and eliminate economic favoritism in Washington’s government, courts, and schools.

“I also believe in compassionate action. I believe that caring for others is really important,” Bliss said. “I believe we are really vilifying the other side. We seem to not want to understand, and everybody’s point of view is important if we’re going to come to durable solutions. Seems like what we do right now is we dehumanize the other side and we excommunicate those who don’t agree with us, and that’s really a step towards warfare. I think that’s what we’re seeing in Los Angeles now.”

“If it were to happen and the president of the U.S. were to deploy troops in the beautiful city of Seattle, how would you react?” KIRO host Manda Factor asked Bliss.

“I would appeal to the people of Seattle to find solutions, to work together,” Bliss answered. “I think that the rule of law still is important, and I think that we cannot pick and choose. I believe in protest, but I do not believe in taking over buildings through violence. I think that’s all wrong.”

Before his interest in pivoting to politics, Bliss has more than 30 years of experience in hospital administration, family and primary medicine, and emergency medicine.

“I’m running for office because Seattle needs help. Frankly, our country needs help,” Bliss said. “I’m a doctor. I’ve spent my life helping people, and I have a positive vision for Seattle, not just tearing it down. I believe I can bring people together and we can make this city a beautiful city, a welcoming city, and a model for taking care of everyone.”

The primary election is Aug. 5, followed by the general election on Nov. 4.

Listen to the full conversation here.

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