Richard Conlin

Conlin is a native of Washington, D.C.{{cite news |last1=Murakami |first1=Kerry |title=Conlin proud of his inclusive approach |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/conlin-proud-of-his-inclusive-approach-1184901.php |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=Seattle Post Intelligencer |date=October 11, 2005}} He moved to Michigan for college and received a B.A. in history from Michigan State University (1968), as well as a master's degree in Political Science (1971).{{cite web |title=Richard Conlin Records, 1993-2013 |url=https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv50415 |publisher=Archive West |access-date=3 March 2025}} After college, Conlin took a job selling computer programs. He was elected to two terms (1973–1976) as an Ingham County Commissioner, representing part of the City of East Lansing.

Before being elected to Seattle City Council, Conlin directed the Community and Environment Division at Metrocenter YMCA from 1985 to 1996, where started the Earth Service Corps, expanded the Master Home Environmentalist certification (aimed at household waste and pollution) and co-founded the policy group Sustainable Seattle.{{cite web |url=http://2009council2.electionland.thestranger.com/users/3936-richard-conlin |title=Electionland City of Seattle Council Position No. 2 - Profile of Richard Conlin - the Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper |access-date=2009-10-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230145412/http://2009council2.electionland.thestranger.com/users/3936-richard-conlin |archive-date=December 30, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}

Conlin spent time teaching public administration at the University of Botswana and University of Swaziland.

Conlin first ran for the Seattle City Council in 1997 after councilmember Jane Noland chose to run for mayor instead of reelection.{{cite news |last1=Klass |first1=Tim |title=Rice Will Try Something Else Seattle's 'Mayor Nice' Decides Not To Seek Third Four-Year Term |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/apr/11/rice-will-try-something-else-seattles-mayor-nice/ |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=The Spokesman-Review |date=April 11, 1997}} In the September primary, Conlin came in first among seven challengers, with 30% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with former councilmember Sherry Harris, who earned 28% of the vote.{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Robert |title=Sherry Harris: Out, But Never Quite In |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19971020&slug=2567241 |access-date=August 29, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 20, 1997}}{{cite web |title=Report Of Contributions and Expenditures In The 1997 City Election |url=https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/EthicsElections/Election%20Reports/1997Report.pdf |publisher=Seattle Ethics and Election Commission |access-date=23 February 2025}} Harris received endorsements from a majority of the council while Conlin only received an endorsement from Mayor Norm Rice after the primary.{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Robert |title=Rich Conlin: Liberal Resume Opens Doors |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19971020/2567245/rich-conlin-liberal-resume-opens-doors |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 20, 1997}} Although heterosexual, Conlin received endorsements from LGBT politicians and organizations over Harris, who was a lesbian. In the November general election, Conlin defeated Harris in a landslide, 66% to 34%.

Conlin ran for reelection in 2001 and, in the September primary, came in first against four challengers, with 46% of the vote.{{cite web |title=FINAL ***OFFICIAL*** RESULTS |url=https://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2001sep/results901html-a.htm |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=4 March 2025 |date=September 30, 2001}} He advanced to the general election with Seattle School Board member Michael Preston who earned 23% of the vote in the primary.{{cite news |last1=Modie |first1=Neil |title=City Council: Preston chasing low-key Conlin |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/city-council-preston-chasing-low-key-conlin-1069523.php |access-date=4 March 2025 |work=Seattle Post Intelligencer |date=October 21, 2001}} Conlin ran on his record as chair of the neighborhoods committee, and outraised and received more endorsements then Preston. In the November general election, Conlin defeat Preston 62% to 38%.{{cite web |title=General and Special Elections |url=https://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives/seattle-facts/historical-election-results#20002009historicelectionresults |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=4 March 2025}}

Conlin ran for reelection in 2005, facing two primary challengers, Paige Miller, a Seattle Port Commissioner, and Darlene Madenwald, President of the American Lung Association of Washington.{{cite news |last1=Brunner |first1=Jim |title=Conlin faces 2 experienced opponents in council race |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/conlin-faces-2-experienced-opponents-in-council-race/ |access-date=4 March 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 13, 2005}} in the September primary, Conlin and Miller advanced with 49% and 36% of the vote, respectively.{{cite web |title=Election Results |url=https://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2005sep/resPage13.htm |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=4 March 2025 |date=September 30, 2005}} In the general election, Conlin focused on his record as transportation chair while Miller accused Conlin of flip-flopping on transportation issues, like the Waterfront Streetcar and the Alaska Way Viaduct replacement.{{cite news |last1=CHANSANCHAI |first1=ATHIMA |title=Conlin, Miller trade barbs in debate for City Council race |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/conlin-miller-trade-barbs-in-debate-for-city-1183691.php |access-date=4 March 2025 |work=Seattle Post Intelligencer |date=September 25, 2005}} In the November general election, Conlin defeated Miller 60% to 40%.

In 2009, Conlin faced one challenger, David Ginsberg, a technology “solutions architect" at a bank.{{cite news |last1=Gilmore |first1=Susan |title=Rival faults Conlin over his leadership |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-council-races-rival-faults-conlin-over-his-leadership/ |access-date=4 March 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 21, 2009}} In the November general election, Conlin defeated Ginsberg in a landslide, 77% to 23%.

In his 2015 reelection campaign, Conlin faced two challengers and secured first place in the August primary, receiving 47% of the vote.{{cite web |title=August 6, 2013 primary election results |url=https://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2013aug-primary/results/ |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=5 March 2025 |date=August 20, 2013}} Kshama Sawant, an economics professor at Seattle Central College and member of the Socialist Alternative party, came in second, with 35% of the vote, and also advanced to the general election. Conlin focused his campaign on his record, which included rezoning the South Lake Union neighborhood and passing a $123 million housing levy, and high-profile endorsements, like the King County Labor Council.{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Debroah |title=Richard Conlin Seeks Fifth Term On Seattle City Council |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/richard-conlin-seeks-fifth-term-seattle-city-council/ |access-date=5 March 2025 |work=KUOW |date=July 16, 2013}}{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Ross |title=Socialist Candidate Sawant Keeps Conlin On Defensive |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/socialist-candidate-sawant-keeps-conlin-defensive/ |access-date=5 March 2025 |work=KUOW |date=October 10, 2013}} Sawant campaigned on raising the minimum wage and against the capitalist systems. In the November general election, Sawant narrowly defeated Conlin, 50.8% to 49.1%.

Over his tenure, Conlin chaired the Environment, Emergency Management & Utilities Committee, the Annexation Committee, Neighborhoods, Growth Planning, and Civic Engagement Committee, and the Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability. His focus areas were public health, sustainability, and the environment. Under the banner of environment, he was involved in efforts to improve the salmon population. Conlin was involved in emergency response planning for Seattle.

Conlin sponsored the 2007 [http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~scripts/nph-brs.exe?s1=&s2=&s3=30990&s4=&Sect4=AND&l=20&Sect1=IMAGE&Sect2=THESON&Sect3=PLURON&Sect5=RESN1&Sect6=HITOFF&d=RES3&p=1&u=%2F~public%2Fresn1.htm&r=1&f=G Zero Waste Strategy, Resolution 30990] which directed Seattle Public Utilities to produce recommendations on how to eliminate residential solid waste,{{cite web|last=Goodman |first=Amy |url=http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/columns/sustainable-seattle-citys-progress-towards-zero-waste |title=Amy Goodman speaks with Richard Conlin about Seattle's Zero Waste Strategy — YES! Magazine |publisher=Yesmagazine.org |date= |access-date=November 14, 2013}} including whether to ban or tax plastic shopping bags and Styrofoam food containers. In 2008, Conlin sponsored a bill to phase out plastic bags in Seattle, a 20-cent surcharge on bags.{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008078323_apwabagfee4thldwritethru.html |title=Seattle City Council approves shopping bag fee |publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com |access-date=November 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128215605/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008078323_apwabagfee4thldwritethru.html |archive-date=November 28, 2011 |df=mdy }} Businesses with under one million dollars in annual sales were exempt and got to keep the money. The measure passed the city council by a 6-1 margin.

On August 8, 2008, Washington Food Industry, a trade group representing grocery stores, launched a petition drive to nullify the ordinance through citizens' referendum, funded partly by the plastics industry.{{cite web|author=Amy Rolp |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/374525_bags12.html |title=Food industry seeks signatures to toss city's bag fee |publisher=seattlepi.com |date=August 11, 2008 |access-date=November 14, 2013}}{{cite web|author=Kathy Mulady And Amy Rolp |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/376383_plastic26.html |title=Effort to overturn 20-cent bag tax moves forward |publisher=seattlepi.com |date=August 25, 2008 |access-date=November 14, 2013}} On September 15, the petition was certified by the King County Elections Office,{{cite web|url=http://www.kirotv.com/news/17490452/detail.html |title=Seattle Bag Fee Overturned To Voters |publisher=www.kirotv.com |access-date=November 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928235730/http://www.kirotv.com/news/17490452/detail.html |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |df=mdy }} delaying implementation of the fee until after a public vote. On August 18, 2009, Seattle voters rejected the fee, 53 to 47 percent.{{cite web|url=http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/200908/resPage9.aspx |title=Results - King County Elections |publisher=Your.kingcounty.gov |date= |access-date=November 14, 2013}} A new plastic bag ban and paper bag fee passed in 2011.{{cite news |last1=Yardley |first1=William |title=Seattle Bans Plastic Bags, and Sets a Charge for Paper |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/us/seattle-bans-plastic-bags-and-sets-a-5-cent-charge-for-paper.html#:~:text=Seattle%20Bans%20Plastic%20Bags%2C%20and%20Sets%20a%20Charge%20for%20Paper,-Share%20full%20article&text=SEATTLE%20%E2%80%94%20The%20City%20Council%20here,the%20ban%20actually%20takes%20effect. |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=December 20, 2011}}

On October 15, 2012, both the King County Council and Seattle City Council approved a financing plan for a $490 million sports arena in Seattle's Sodo neighborhood, backed by venture capitalist Chris Hansen. The King County Council vote was 9–0, while the City Council vote was 7–2, with Conlin and Nick Licata as the only opposition.{{cite web|author=Nick Eato |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Both-councils-approve-Sodo-arena-plan-but-3950762.php |title=Both councils approve Sodo arena plan, but process not finished |publisher=seattlepi.com |date=October 15, 2012 |access-date=November 14, 2013}} The new arena was intended to host the NBA Seattle SuperSonics professional basketball team as well as a potential NHL ice hockey team.

On May 31, 2011, a recall effort was announced. Proponents cited Conlin for three alleged violations of law: signing the draft environmental-impact statement of the proposed Seattle waterfront tunnel in lieu of Mayor Mike McGinn, colluding with City Attorney Peter Holmes, and failing to place a certified initiative on the ballot.{{cite web |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015197931_recalleffort01m.html |title=Anti-tunnel supporter petitions to recall Conlin |publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com |access-date=November 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806043017/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015197931_recalleffort01m.html |archive-date=August 6, 2011 |df=mdy }} On July 22, 2011, King County Superior Court Judge Carol Schapira dismissed the recall petition, which would have required proving Conlin committed malfeasance or an illegal act to go forward.{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/edcetera/2015688529_recall_effort_of_seattle_city.html |title=Ed cetera | Recall effort of Seattle City Council President Conlin: silly | Seattle Times Newspaper |publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com |date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=November 14, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Holden |first=Dominic |url=http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2011/07/22/conlin-recall-fails |title=Conlin Recall Fails | Slog |publisher=Slog.thestranger.com |date=July 22, 2011 |access-date=November 14, 2013}}

After serving on the council, Conlin became an affordable housing developer at Conlin Columbia LLC.{{cite web|url=https://www.conlincolumbia.com/info|title=People|website=Conlin Columbia|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810212539/https://www.conlincolumbia.com/info|archive-date=August 10, 2023}} Conlin also teaches urban planning at the University of Washington.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/author/richard-conlin/|title=Richard Conlin|website=The Seattle Times|date=December 21, 2021 |access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110235239/https://www.seattletimes.com/author/richard-conlin/|archive-date=January 10, 2022}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://richardconlin.com/ Richard Conlin's campaign website]
• [https://archive.today/20060109044635/http://www.vgt2004.org/a-seattlepi05/candidate-detail.go?id=2804116 Seattle Post-Intelligencer's candidate voters' guide]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Conlin, Richard}}

Category:1948 births

Category:Living people

Category:Washington (state) Democrats

Category:County commissioners in Michigan

Category:Seattle City Council members

Category:Michigan State University alumni

Category:Politicians from Washington, D.C.

Category:Academic staff of the University of Eswatini