Name: Michael Marchand

Age: 43

Marital status: Married

Number of children: Three

Occupation: Director, Public Affairs – Microsoft Corporation

Years lived in Bellevue: Seven

Top three endorsements: King County Democrats, Washington Conservation Voters, Cascade Bicycle Club

What is the most pressing issue in Bellevue, and how would you deal with it?

We must firmly establish and better align council, staff, the business community and Bellevue residents behind a vision for the future of our city. I would address this by conducting a Priorities of Government exercise to arrive on a list of Bellevue’s desired goals and outcomes. Then we can strategically work on growing our economic engine and filling store vacancies, agreeing on a transportation system that supports our ever-increasing need, and closing the $100 million hole in our budget. This will be done while remaining true to what make Bellevue great: our unique neighborhoods, and cultural and recreational offerings.

What makes you the better choice for the council than your opponent?

I bring new energy, leadership and approach to governing, and provide a voice on council for our growing and diverse population that is adding 3,000 families and residents each year. Having served in both the public and private sector, working on behalf of local, regional, state and federal governments as well as Fortune 500 companies, I am adept at working across multiple stakeholder groups, both internal and externally, in order to successfully address many of the issues that we are facing as city and region today. These skills are critical to realizing solutions and moving forward as a city.