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John Adler (Mayor of Black Diamond, Washington, candidate 2025)
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John Adler is running for election to the Mayor of Black Diamond in Washington. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source] He was on the ballot in the primary on August 5, 2025.[source]
Adler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
John Adler provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on July 7, 2025:
- Birth place: Kirkland, Washington
- High school: North Kitsap
- Gender: Male
- Profession: Retail Management
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Bring Black Diamond Together
Elections
General election
General election for Mayor of Black Diamond
John Adler and Geoff Bowie are running in the general election for Mayor of Black Diamond on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | John Adler (Nonpartisan)  | |
| Geoff Bowie (Nonpartisan) | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Black Diamond
John Adler, Geoff Bowie, and Tamie L.Boxx-Deady ran in the primary for Mayor of Black Diamond on August 5, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| John Adler (Nonpartisan) | |
| Geoff Bowie (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Tamie L.Boxx-Deady (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John Adler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Adler's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I was born and raised in Washington and have lived here my entire life. My wife and I, along with our four children, have called Black Diamond home for the past four years. We chose this community because of its natural beauty, small-town character, and strong sense of connection — and we’ve grown to deeply care about its future."
- As our city grows, we need to make sure it happens with purpose — preserving Black Diamond’s small-town character while ensuring infrastructure, public safety, and community services keep pace. Growth should benefit the people who live here, not overwhelm them.
- Whether you’ve lived here for 40 years or just moved into a new development, you deserve to feel like you belong. I’m committed to bridging the divide between “old town” and the newer neighborhoods by fostering inclusion, communication, and a shared sense of purpose. We are one city — and we’re stronger when we move forward together.
- I believe good leadership starts with listening. As mayor, I’ll ensure residents have a voice in city decisions, make communication more accessible, and bring transparency and accountability back to City Hall. People should feel heard, informed, and involved.
I’m passionate about public policies that support thoughtful community growth, civic engagement, and long-term financial stability. I believe in responsible budgeting, transparent spending, and making sure our city’s finances are aligned with the needs and priorities of residents. That means investing wisely in infrastructure, public safety, and services — while ensuring we’re not overburdening taxpayers. I’m also committed to development policies that preserve Black Diamond’s character and promote unity between established and newer parts of our city.
I look up to my father, who, though not a public figure or politician, is my personal hero and best friend. His integrity, work ethic, and kindness have shaped who I am. He taught me the importance of humility, responsibility, and standing up for what’s right — qualities I strive to bring to public service. While I also admire public leaders who embody servant leadership, my father’s example is the foundation of my commitment to this community.
I recommend Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink for anyone interested in understanding my political philosophy. The book’s core message — that leaders must take full responsibility for their actions and decisions — strongly aligns with my approach to public service. It underscores the importance of accountability, discipline, and proactive leadership, which are essential for effectively serving a community and navigating the challenges of governing.
I believe the most important qualities in an elected official are integrity, accountability, and the ability to listen. A leader should be transparent in their decisions, honest with their constituents, and willing to admit when something isn’t working. I also believe in collaboration — building consensus, not division — and putting the community’s needs above personal or political interests. Public service is a responsibility, not a platform, and the people you serve should always come first.
I believe my work ethic is second to none. I’m a very driven person who doesn’t shy away from hard work or responsibility. Beyond that, I’m committed to listening carefully to residents, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and making thoughtful decisions grounded in what’s best for Black Diamond. My perseverance, dedication, and focus on results equip me to serve effectively and deliver meaningful progress for our community.
The core responsibility of a mayor is to serve as a steward of the community — guiding the city’s growth, managing its resources wisely, and representing the voice of its residents. That means overseeing city operations, working closely with council and staff, and ensuring that policies reflect the values and needs of the people. It also means being a bridge between different parts of the community, creating space for dialogue, and building trust through transparency and accountability. At its heart, the job is about leadership — not just making decisions, but making sure those decisions are grounded in service, not self-interest.
I want to be remembered as the mayor who helped bridge the gap between Ten Trails and the more established communities of Black Diamond. Bringing people together, fostering inclusion, and building a unified city where everyone feels valued and heard is at the heart of my vision. I hope my legacy will be one of connection, collaboration, and progress that strengthens our entire community for generations to come.
While it wasn’t the first historical event I remember, the first one I was old enough to truly understand the significance of was September 11th, 2001. I was in high school at the time, and the impact of that day shaped my views on community resilience and the importance of strong leadership during difficult times.
Aside from various odd jobs during high school, my very first real job was with O'Reilly Auto Parts. I started there at 19 years old in a part-time, entry-level position and worked my way up over the years to become a regional director. This experience taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, leadership, and loyalty — qualities I bring to my campaign and would bring to serving Black Diamond as mayor.
If I’m being completely honest, I don’t often read for pleasure. When I do read, it’s usually to gather knowledge or information that helps me grow personally or professionally. I’m focused on learning practical skills and insights that I can apply to serve my community better.
As the saying goes, always be yourself... unless you can be Batman. Then always be Batman.
Honestly, it’s usually whatever song my kids are listening to at the moment — they have a great knack for picking catchy tunes that get stuck in my head! It’s a small reminder of the everyday joys and the importance of family in my life.
Balancing a demanding career and raising four children has been one of my greatest challenges, but it’s also been a source of strength. With the unwavering support of my wife — the glue that holds our family together — I’ve developed the discipline, perseverance, and prioritization skills necessary to take on the responsibilities of mayor. I’m confident that this experience has prepared me to serve Black Diamond effectively and with dedication.
To me, being a mayor means being a servant leader — someone who puts the needs of the community first and works tirelessly to represent all residents fairly. It means setting a positive example, making thoughtful decisions that balance diverse interests, and fostering a sense of unity and purpose. A mayor is both a visionary and a problem-solver, guiding the city through challenges while staying grounded in the values that make the community unique. Ultimately, leadership is about earning trust, listening actively, and building partnerships that help the city thrive.
The ideal relationship between the mayor and city council is built on mutual respect, clear communication, and a shared commitment to serving Black Diamond. While the mayor provides executive leadership and oversees the city’s overall administration, the recently hired city administrator manages day-to-day operations. This structure means the mayor and city council must work closely together to set policy and strategic priorities, while the city administrator ensures efficient implementation. Open dialogue, trust, and collaboration among all three—mayor, council, and city administrator—are essential to transparent, effective governance that meets the community’s needs.
What I love most about Black Diamond is its people. The community here is full of caring, hardworking, and diverse individuals who make this city a truly special place to live and raise a family. It’s the friendships, neighborly spirit, and shared commitment to our city’s future that inspire me every day.
One of Black Diamond’s greatest challenges over the next decade will be managing growth responsibly. With new housing developments and increasing population, we must ensure that infrastructure, public safety, schools, and services keep pace without compromising the city’s small-town character. Another significant challenge is bridging the divide between long-time residents and newcomers, fostering a sense of inclusion and unity so all feel part of the community. Finally, maintaining financial stability while investing in necessary improvements will be critical to ensuring Black Diamond’s long-term health and livability.
I believe the ideal relationship between Black Diamond and the state government should be grounded in respect for local autonomy. As a more rural community within King County, Black Diamond faces different challenges and opportunities than the more urban areas in the region. While the state plays a crucial role in providing resources and setting broad policies, it’s important that Black Diamond retains the freedom to make decisions that best reflect our community’s unique needs and values. Excessive mandates can sometimes hinder local innovation and responsiveness. I’m committed to advocating for a balanced partnership where the state supports our city’s goals without imposing unnecessary regulations, allowing us to govern effectively and responsibly on behalf of our residents.
The ideal relationship between Black Diamond and the federal government is one of cooperative partnership and mutual respect. While the federal government provides essential funding, regulatory guidance, and support programs, it’s important that Black Diamond maintains the autonomy to address its unique local needs—especially given our rural character within King County. I believe the federal government should work with cities like ours to provide resources and support that empower local decision-making, rather than imposing one-size-fits-all mandates. A respectful, collaborative relationship ensures that Black Diamond can thrive while contributing positively to national goals and priorities.
Most of my jokes probably wouldn’t be appropriate for this setting since I tend to enjoy darker humor. That said, I love stand-up comedy and it’s actually a goal of mine to try my hand at an open mic night someday. Comedy teaches me a lot about timing, connecting with people, and finding humor even in tough situations — skills I think are valuable in leadership too.
Black Diamond has a long history of a strong and dedicated police presence, which I respect and value as a foundation for community safety. At the same time, I believe it’s important to ensure our city’s resources are balanced across all departments to meet the diverse needs of our residents. While I do not support defunding the police, I think it’s crucial to evaluate our budget thoughtfully and make sure areas like public works, parks, community services, and infrastructure also receive adequate funding. A well-rounded approach strengthens the entire community and ensures all residents feel supported and safe.
At this time, I have not yet received any formal public endorsements. I see this as a strength because my campaign is focused on uniting Black Diamond rather than dividing it. My goal is to build bridges across the community and work collaboratively with all residents and leaders, regardless of past affiliations. I believe this approach will best serve our city’s future.
I believe financial transparency and government accountability are fundamental to good governance. Residents have the right to know how their tax dollars are being spent and to hold elected officials responsible for those decisions. Transparency builds trust, encourages civic engagement, and helps prevent waste or misuse of public funds. As mayor, I will prioritize open communication about budgets, expenditures, and city projects — making information accessible and understandable to all members of the community. Accountability means leaders answer to the people, admit mistakes, and continuously work to improve services and stewardship of public resources.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Other survey responses
Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Adler completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
