Mark Sidran
| Mark Sidran | |
|---|---|
| Seattle City Attorney | |
|
In office 1990–2002 | |
| Succeeded by | Tom Carr |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 7, 1951 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Seattle, Washington |
| Alma mater |
Harvard University University of Washington School of Law |
| Occupation |
Lawyer Politician |
Mark Sidran (born July 7, 1951) is a former Seattle City Attorney, serving three terms from 1990 to 2002. He is remembered most for his controversial "civility" laws.[1][2]
Early life
Sidran grew up in the Rainier Valley neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. He attended Franklin High School alongside future-Governor Gary Locke and was elected Class President during his senior year.[3] He attended college at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor's degree in Government. He then returned to Seattle to attend the University of Washington School of Law, graduating in 1976 with a Juris Doctor.[4] Sidran is Jewish.[5]
Legal career
Sidran spent ten years (1975-1985) as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Later, as head of the Juvenile Division, he played a major role in the child molestation prosecution of Judge Gary Little.[6]
From 1986 to 1989, Sidran was a partner at McKay & Gaitan.[7] He was also a Special Counsel to Governor Booth Gardner.[5]
In 1990, Sidran ran for and was elected as Seattle City Attorney. Sidran was highly controversial for his "no broken windows" approach to law enforcement.[8] He has been called the Rudy Giuliani of Seattle.[9] For example, he sponsored civility ordinances against public urination, public drinking, aggressive panhandling, sleeping in parks, sitting on sidewalks, and driving with a suspended license. His supporters have claimed that these ordinances cleaned up the city significantly, while detractors claim that they unfairly harass the homeless.[4][10]
Political career
In 2001, Sidran became the Commissioner of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.[5]
In 2001, Sidran ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Seattle, losing to Greg Nickels.[11]
In 2004, Sidran ran unsuccessfully for Attorney General of Washington, losing to Deborah Senn in the primary [12]
References
- ↑ Local News | Mark Sidran: Not your Seattle stereotype | Seattle Times Newspaper
- ↑ Seattle News and Events | The Return of Mr. Civility
- ↑ The many names of Mark Sidran | The Daily
- 1 2 Mark Sidran's Seattle - Seattle News - City - The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper
- 1 2 3 Mark Sidran's Biography - Project Vote Smart
- ↑ Seattle News and Events | The Happy Martyr
- ↑ Guide to the Mark Sidran Subject Files 1990-2002
- ↑ San Francisco looks to Seattle: Did sidewalk sitting ban help? - seattlepi.com
- ↑ Jeremy Lott on Mark Sidran on National Review Online
- ↑ The Mark Sidran Rap Sheet
- ↑ Seattle News and Events | Legal trouble
- ↑ The Seattle Times: Regional politics: McKenna wins, Senn leading in attorney general campaigns
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by |
Seattle City Attorney 1990–2002 |
Succeeded by Tom Carr |