By Jason Cruz
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
It didn’t go the way it was planned, but Bruce Harrell spent an afternoon of one of his last days as Seattle’s mayor giving thanks to the many supporters that championed him during the last four years. In turn, the packed restaurant showed how much he meant to the city.
Photos by Jason Cruz
The afternoon luncheon on Monday at the Diamond Bay Restaurant in the Chinatown-International District was a way to honor, and roast, Harrell. Several of his colleagues and friends testified to Harrell’s track record as the mayor.
“This is very hard for me to receive this kind of attention, like this,” said Harrell, acknowledging the circumstances behind the event.
Harrell lost his quest for reelection to Katie Wilson in November. Wilson officially takes over as the city’s 58th mayor on Jan. 2, 2026.
But the afternoon was meant to celebrate and congratulate Harrell for his work leading Seattle.
Seattle Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth joked about Harrell’s “strong hairline.” She also marked his accomplishments over his four years, including a housing levy, Comprehensive Plan, transportation improvements, and food access.
Gov. Gary Locke roasted Harrell as well.
“The thing about Bruce is that we will not have to hear any more stories about the Huskies,” he quipped. He also reflected on Harrell’s job.
“Bruce was the right person for the right time, a troubled time for the City of Seattle…. He made a lot of changes and we are seeing the results of that, maybe not as soon as we would like, but the fact is that change does not happen overnight and what Bruce did was set the city in the right, new direction.”
Locke also praised Harrell’s efforts in uplifting diversity and it was reflected in the hiring of his staff and cabinet.
“He has shown people in our business community that diversity is a strength, not a weakness.”
Elected officials stand up while being recognized (Credit: Eugene Tagawa)
After the speeches, Harrell had a chance to address those in attendance.
“I’ve tried to live a life for you that may be right for this job,” Harrell said to the crowded room of supporters.
“Winning is sometimes very easy, actually,” said Harrell. “The test of the community’s character and indeed the test of a person’s character is what happens when things don’t happen the way we want them to go.”
Harrell also told stories. He recalled on his first day as in-house legal counsel for a company, he met Gary Locke. In fact, Locke was sitting at his desk when Harrell started. Harrell stated that after the first day meeting, they had been friends ever since.
“All of my speeches I rehearse and rehearse. “Even the jokes in my speeches are prepared.” This led to him talking about the worst joke of his career involving one where he made a vague reference to the return of NBA Basketball to Seattle. During a speech, he said he had an announcement to make and brought out a basketball that was behind his podium.
“The clip went viral and people told me it was a bad joke.” The Seattle Supersonics left the city of Seattle in 2008 for Oklahoma City. Although the NBA has stated it will discuss the potential for expansion in 2026 focusing on Las Vegas and Seattle, no confirmation on a team has been made.
“That was not my joke,” Harrell said with a laugh, explaining that the idea of taking out the basketball came from someone on his staff. He added that when they asked him about it, he replied, “Sounds like a good idea to me.”
Harrell served as acting mayor for a week in September 2017 when Mayor Ed Murray stepped down after multiple allegations of child abuse, rape, and sexual molestation. Harrell ran for mayor in 2021 and defeated Lorena Gonzales to become the city’s 57th mayor.
“I cannot thank you enough from the bottom of our hearts for being there,” said Harrell’s wife, Joanne Harrell, who gave the closing remarks. “Losing is hard, but we are people of faith and we believe that when one door closes, another door opens.”
The event was emceed by Enrique Cerna and Assunta Ng.
Photos by Jason Cruz
Jason can be reached at newstips@nwasianweekly.com.