https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVMUAhtkzb8

February 11, 2015 The campaign commercial announcing that David Toledo has joined the race for City Council is possibly the most creative and fun piece of campaigning we’ve ever seen.  The 1-minute throwback gives a nod to the batmanesque style of the 1960’s with a video that shows how a little creativity and a sense of humor can make even politics fun.

But don’t think of Toledo as all flash and no substance; it only takes a Google search or a visit to the www.WeVoteToledo.com website to see that Toledo has the small business, community advocacy, and public policy experience to make him a serious contender for the seat.

Toledo is joining an already crowded race in District 5, but Toledo does have the advantage of being the only candidate with a 40-year history of actually living in North Seattle.

David Toledo’s website gives a chronological account of his family’s community involvement during those 40-years, including his mother’s establishment of soup kitchens and a self-funded food bank to help North Seattle neighbors during the economic crisis of the late 70’s.   Also David’s founding of Unified Outreach in 1998, a charity which for the past 17 years has provided services to elder care centers, homeless shelters, and a variety of youth arts programs aimed at helping low income and at-risk youth.

In addition to his altruistic endeavors, Toledo works in the field of Low Income Public Housing as a member of OPEIU 8.  He recently had an article published on affordable housing in Seattle that you can see at https://kingcountynews.org/2015/02/05/the-affordable-housing-conversation-everyone-can-understand/

On the issues Toledo says “I love this district and all that it represents.  I want to see North Seattle thriving with job growth up and the crime rate down.  I want new businesses to open and flourish; able to provide much needed services without being strangled by unnecessary regulations.  I want local residents to have a shot at good jobs close to their homes by providing incentives for local hiring.  I want a transit system that meets the needs of commuters by examining alternative funding sources.  I want parks and lakes that are clean and whose waters are safe for swimming. I want our clean and swimmable Green Lake back!  We need an educational system that respects parents and that encourages our children to succeed.  And we must protect our most vulnerable by strengthening social service programs for veterans, seniors, and special-needs communities; and by ensuring affordable housing in our area.”

Other candidates for the position include Low Income Housing Institute recruiter Mercedes Elizalde, Planned Parenthood field organizer Halei Watkins, gun control activist Sanford Brown, and Mian Rice (the son of previous City Council Member/Ex-Mayor Norm Rice).

See the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVMUAhtkzb8