Tom Rasmussen

Thomas M. Rasmussen is a retired member of the Seattle City Council, serving from 2004 to 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education and early career

Rasmussen holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Pacific Lutheran University and a J.D. from Valparaiso University.<ref name="AW">Template:Cite web</ref> After graduating, he worked at the Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for three years.<ref name="ST1">Template:Cite news</ref> From 1976 to 1988, Rasmussen was a legislative aide to Seattle councilmember Jeanette Williams, working on transportation and parks projects, including construction of a new West Seattle bridge and the city's purchase of the Kubota Gardens.<ref name="ST1"/><ref name="RCN">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="SPI">Template:Cite news</ref>

After Williams' election defeat in 1989, Rasmussen became a top manager at the nonprofit Senior Services of Seattle/King County.<ref name="ST1"/> In 1999, Mayor Paul Schell hired him as director of the office of senior citizens, serving until his 2003 election win.<ref name="ST1"/><ref name="SPI"/> Before running for city council, Rasmussen also chaired the parks committee of the Queen Anne Community Council.<ref name="SPI"/>

Seattle City Council

Elections

In 2003, Rasmussen ran against incumbent Margaret Pageler, citing the council's lack of focus on local issues as the reason for his candidacy.<ref name="RCN"/> In the September open primary, Pageler came in first against her five challenges, with 39% of the vote, with Rasmussen coming in second with 25%.<ref name="2003 primary">Template:Cite web</ref> Rasmussen criticized Pageler's application to the become president of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce the prior year and for the financial crisis that Seattle City Light was facing.<ref name="ST1"/> In the November general election, Rasmussen defeated Pageler, 52% to 48%.<ref name="SMA">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Rasmussen ran for reelection in 2007 unopposed.<ref name="SMA"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In his 2011 reelection bid, Rasmussen had only one challenger, Dale Pusey, which he defeated in a landslide in the general election with 72% of the vote.<ref name="SMA"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Tenure

From 2004 to 2007, he was chair of the Housing, Human Services & Health Committee and vice chair of the Urban Development & Planning Committee.<ref name="AW"/> From 2008 to 2009, he was chair of the Parks & Seattle Center Committee, the vice chair of the Culture, Civil Rights, Health and Personnel Committee, and the Labor Policy Committee.<ref name="AW"/>

Rasmussen chaired the Transportation Committee for his final six years in office.<ref name="AW"/> As chair, he championed the "big dig" tunnel replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement.<ref name="archive">Template:Cite news</ref> Rasmussen also supported Proposition 1, a levy that gave new funding to Seattle transportation projects, and pushed for expanded bus services from those funds.<ref name="archive"/> In his final year in office, he pushed for expanded bus service, using Prop 1 funds, and a new tax levy, "Bridging the Gap II."<ref name="KUOW">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Stranger1">Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2015, Rasmussen announced he would not seek reelection, choosing not to run for the newly created District 1 seat.<ref name="KUOW"/><ref name="Stranger1"/>

Personal life

Rasmussen is gay and is active in LGBT legal and political organizations, including as a board member of the Lambda Legal Defense Fund.<ref name="archive"/> He lives in West Seattle with his partner Clayton Lewis.<ref name="SPI"/><ref name="KUOW"/><ref name="Stranger1"/>