Paul Clark (Bellevue City Council Position 1, Washington, candidate 2025)

Paul Clark

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Bellevue City Council Position 1

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Baylor University, 1993

Graduate

University of Washington, 1996

Personal

Birthplace

Minneapolis, Minn.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Electrical engineer

Contact

Campaign website

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Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Paul Clark is running in a special election to the Bellevue City Council Position 1 in Washington. He is on the ballot in the special general election on November 4, 2025.^[source] He was on the ballot in the special primary on August 5, 2025.^[source]

Clark completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

General election

Special general election for Bellevue City Council Position 1

Vishal Bhargava and Paul Clark are running in the special general election for Bellevue City Council Position 1 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Vishal Bhargava (Nonpartisan)
		Paul Clark (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= 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

Special nonpartisan primary for Bellevue City Council Position 1

Vishal Bhargava, Eddie Chang, Paul Clark, and Nicholas Ton ran in the special primary for Bellevue City Council Position 1 on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Vishal Bhargava (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Eddie Chang (Nonpartisan)
		Paul Clark (Nonpartisan)
		Nicholas Ton (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= 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.

Endorsements

To view Clark's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Paul Clark completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Clark's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Paul Clark, and I love the city of Bellevue. Bellevue is where I had my first job after school, and where I later started my small business, Factoria Labs. It's where I met my wife, and it's the only home my daughter has ever known.

I have over 9 years of combined service on Bellevue's Civil Service Commission and Parks and Community Services Board, with over 3 years in leadership positions.

I’m committed to non-partisan solutions that keep our city safe, foster smart growth that respects neighborhood character, and ensure fiscal responsibility.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I will put Bellevue’s safety first by fully supporting our police and fire departments, fighting for full staffing and resources, and backing strong, sensible laws that protect families and businesses.
• I will champion smart growth that complies state housing requirements while preserving our Bellevue's unique “city in a park” character. We will achieve this by directing new development to transit-rich growth corridors and minimizing neighborhood sprawl.
• I will drive a healthy economy through strict budget discipline, support for local businesses, and responsible policies that create good jobs, expand economic opportunity, and keep taxes from rising.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public safety, a transportation system that respects our time, affordability, and economic development – focused on practical, balanced solutions that enhance quality of life for all Bellevue residents.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Councilmembers make up Bellevue's legislature, responsible for translating broad state laws into local policies that shape daily life – from zoning and public safety to utilities and parks. This office bridges residents’ needs with state mandates and ensures that local priorities guide implementation.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, accountability and a commitment to public service. Officials should listen carefully, make data-driven decisions and treat all constituents with respect. Fiscal responsibility and a focus on core services – such as public safety and infrastructure – ensure that taxpayer dollars deliver the most community value.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I combine practical problem-solving with active listening. I analyze data and community feedback to craft balanced solutions, and I follow through on commitments, ensuring residents see real results.

Furthermore, I meet residents where they are at. Rather than waiting for you to reach out to me, I participate in neighborhood picnics, public feedback forums, and a host of other community events so I can hear organically from as many Bellevue residents as I can. It's also why I personally spend so much time going door-to-door, asking residents about their concerns.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The council’s primary duty is to keep residents safe by fully supporting our police and fire departments. Equally important is managing the city budget with discipline, directing growth in ways that preserve neighborhood character, and ensuring reliable transportation and housing options that meet Bellevue’s needs.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave Bellevue stronger, safer and true to its character as a “city in a park.” My legacy will be one of practical problem-solving—where we met our housing and infrastructure challenges without sacrificing neighborhood identity, ensured reliable public safety, and maintained fiscal responsibility. I hope residents will remember that we balanced growth with preservation, expanded opportunity for working families, and kept our city both prosperous and welcoming for the next generation.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember our nation's bicentennial celebration on July 4th, 1976. I was five at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked summers at a small raspberry farm, weeding, tilling, and picking. This lasted for about 4 months over two summers.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Councilmembers approve contracts and interlocal agreements that can affect regional services, like transit partnerships and shared emergency services. Those decisions often fly under the radar yet have large impacts on service quality and cost.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes. Experience on boards or commissions builds knowledge of procedure, stakeholder engagement and policy impacts. I believe that my background on Bellevue’s Civil Services Commission and our Parks and Recreations Commission has given me broad knowledge of local issues and experience informing proposals with the wishes of residents. This experience will help newly elected leaders hit the ground running and to make informed decisions sooner.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Strong communication and listening skills allow councilmembers to understand diverse viewpoints. Budget and financial analysis expertise ensures responsible spending. Collaboration and negotiation skills help forge consensus on tough issues.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

This council seat carries real authority over local budgets, land-use decisions and public safety policy. It shapes the character, services and fiscal health of Bellevue, making it one of the most direct avenues for residents' votes to influence their daily lives.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Washingtonians for a Brighter Future

Ethnic Chamber of Commerce Coalition
King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn
Bellevue City Councilmember Conrad Lee
Bellevue City Councilmember Jared Nieuwenhuis

And many more…

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe budgets and spending must be open and accessible. Publishing detailed line-item budgets online, holding regular public budget hearings and requiring performance audits ensure officials spend taxpayer dollars wisely and remain answerable to residents.

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 Clark completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• VoteWA Profile

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