Kurt Dresner (Kirkland City Council Position 7, Washington, candidate 2025)
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Kurt Dresner is running for election to the Kirkland City Council Position 7 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]
Dresner completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Kurt Dresner provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on July 4, 2025:
- High school: University High School, Tucson, AZ
- Bachelor's: Harvey Mudd College, 2002
- PhD: University of Texas at Austin, 2009
- Gender: Male
- Profession: Software Engineer
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Let's move forward!
- Campaign website
- Campaign endorsements
- Campaign Facebook
- Campaign Instagram
- Campaign YouTube
Elections
General election
General election for Kirkland City Council Position 7
Kurt Dresner and Jon Pascal are running in the general election for Kirkland City Council Position 7 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | Kurt Dresner (Nonpartisan)  | |
| Jon Pascal (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 Kirkland City Council Position 7
Kurt Dresner, Jon Pascal, and Susan Pederson ran in the primary for Kirkland City Council Position 7 on August 5, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Kurt Dresner (Nonpartisan) | |
| Jon Pascal (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Susan Pederson (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
Dresner received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Dresner's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
- King County Democrats
- Legis. District 1, Wash., Democratic Party
- Legis. District 45, Wash., Democratic Party
- Legis. District 48, Wash., Democratic Party
- MLK Labor
- Eastside Urbanism
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge 751
- Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates of Washington
- Seattle Transit Riders Union
- Sierra Club Washington
- Washington Conservation Action
- Washington Education Association PAC
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kurt Dresner completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dresner's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Born an Army brat right here in the Puget Sound region, I first came to Kirkland in 2007 during a summer internship while finishing my PhD in computer science at the University of Texas at Austin. Having never previously lived more than 5 years in the same home, I relocated to Kirkland less than two years later to start a family.
Though very involved in company culture efforts at Google where I've worked for 16 years, in 2017 I cofounded Liveable Kirkland to focus on the wider Kirkland community. Through my work with Liveable Kirkland, I've become a knowledgeable, experienced, and trusted voice on issues of housing, transportation, safe streets, sustainability, and more.
I was instrumental in starting and operating Kirkland's volunteer bike valet program, lobbying the city to plan for a new tool-lending library, and I host a weekly morning coffee gathering on the Cross Kirkland Corridor. I'm also sometimes the last one left in the audience in City Council Chambers.
I run, love music, host foreign exchange students, learn languages like Spanish and ASL, and have two rescued cats.- Kirkland faces a severe housing shortage, making homes unaffordable and increasing traffic from long commutes. Essential workers (like teachers and first responders) are priced out, and older adults struggle to find suitable, affordable local housing. This crisis impacts everyone through higher costs, including higher property taxes. As a councilmember, I'll champion policies that streamline building diverse, affordable homes for young people and enable older adults to age in place. I'll also ensure housing solutions are integrated with transportation planning for a more sustainable Kirkland. My goal is to create a Kirkland where everyone, regardless of income or age, can find a safe, affordable home in our community.
- Transportation is a huge household cost, and car crashes cause millions of injuries and deaths yearly. Kirkland, a Vision Zero city, aims to eliminate traffic fatalities, but we still have work to do. Our car-dependent design burdens drivers and leaves non-drivers, like kids, seniors, and those with disabilities, with limited mobility. As councilmember, I'll prioritize easier, safer, and more sustainable transportation. My goal is to reduce congestion by boosting viable alternatives to driving. We'll invest in walkable and bikeable places, offering more options for everyone—whether driving, walking, rolling, cycling, or taking transit. This improves our entire transportation system.
- Kirkland's natural beauty is a treasure, vital with climate change impacts. I'll preserve and expand our parks, ensuring accessibility and integrating them with walkable development to reduce car reliance. I'll champion street trees and development that coexists with nature. Kirkland is safe due to our holistic public safety approach. We invest in skilled emergency response and preventative programs like HART. I'll strengthen infrastructure for extreme weather and advocate for street safety. Our innovative Regional Crisis Response Agency dispatches mental health professionals, freeing up law enforcement. I'll prioritize data-driven strategies and focus on our most vulnerable, ensuring safety for all.
Beyond his communication, I'm inspired by his commitment to leading with his values, a principle I believe is paramount for any elected official. He consistently demonstrated integrity and a clear moral compass, guiding his decisions with a focus on long-term public good. He also consistently surrounded himself with diverse perspectives, including individuals who were not afraid to challenge his ideas, which is vital for robust decision-making. Finally, his "No-Drama Obama" approach highlighted a calm and thoughtful demeanor under pressure, prioritizing steady governance over political theatrics.
An elected official must operate with unwavering integrity, meaning their actions align with their stated principles, even when faced with pressure or differing opinions. This includes being sincere in their engagement with the community, truly listening to concerns, and genuinely striving to understand diverse perspectives. Accessibility is also paramount; residents need to feel their voices are heard and that their elected representatives are approachable and responsive to their needs.
Crucially, an elected official must possess the courage to defend what is right, even when it is politically difficult or unpopular. Unlike those who shift with the prevailing winds, a true leader holds firm to principles of decency and community benefit, even if it means sacrificing personal political ease. This willingness to stand up for what is just, rather than what is expedient, is a hallmark of genuine public service.
Coupled with this, I am naturally approachable and compassionate, allowing me to genuinely connect with diverse groups and foster collaborative relationships. What truly drives me is determination to see initiatives through for our community, even when challenges arise. Above all, I hold myself to a very high ethical and moral standard, always striving to do what is right for our community. This blend of rigorous thought, interpersonal warmth, and steadfast resolve is essential for navigating public service effectively.
First and foremost, an elected official must act as a steward of the community's values and future. This means being clear and consistent about their values and using those values as a compass for decision-making. It's about prioritizing the long-term well-being of Kirkland over short-term political gains or re-election.
To fulfill this stewardship, information gathering is paramount. An effective official actively seeks out diverse perspectives, from engaging directly with the public through accessible channels, to consulting with experts on critical issues. This commitment to being fully informed ensures decisions are robust and reflective of real community needs.
Accessibility and approachability are also non-negotiable. An elected official must be a visible and receptive presence, actively listening to residents' concerns, feedback, and ideas. This fosters trust and ensures policy decisions are grounded in the lived experiences of Kirklanders. It means being present in neighborhoods, engaging in dialogue, and making it easy for citizens to connect.
This means making decisions today that anticipate future needs, whether it's ensuring ample affordable housing, investing in resilient infrastructure against climate change, preserving our green spaces, or fostering a truly connected and inclusive community. I aspire for my time in office to be marked by foundational improvements that strengthen Kirkland, allowing it to flourish and remain a desirable place to live, work, and connect for generations.
My strength lies in my deep and existing familiarity with Kirkland's city government, even without having held elected office. I've actively engaged with our city's operations, forging relationships with many city staff, current council members, and a wide network of community and neighborhood leaders. This extensive groundwork means I already possess a strong grasp of how our city functions, the key players involved, and the pressing issues facing our residents.
This hands-on, community-level experience offers distinct advantages. It allows me to approach challenges with a direct understanding of their impact on daily life, informed by direct interaction with those affected. It fosters an independence from entrenched political habits, enabling me to prioritize innovative, data-driven solutions rather than relying on "how things have always been done."
State Electeds: Patty Kuderer, Sens. Stanford and Slatter. Reps Goodman, Kloba, Duerr, Salahuddin.
Regional Electeds: King County CM Claudia Balducci. 25+ Other city Mayors/CMs (Bellevue, Bothell, Issaquah, Kenmore, Newcastle, Redmond, Sammamish, Woodinville).
Organizations: 45th, 1st, 48th LD Dems; KC Dems, KC Young Dems, WA HS Dems. LWEA, WEA PAC. MLK Labor, ATU Local 587, Transit Riders Union, Eastside Urbanism, FairVote WA
This commitment extends to strict adherence to laws like the Washington State Open Public Meetings Act. This act, and similar transparency measures, ensure that government deliberations and decisions are conducted openly, not behind closed doors. It means providing clear, accessible information on budgets, expenditures, and policy-making processes.
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 Dresner completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
