Bart Hansen is an incumbent … of sorts. In late January, he was appointed to fill the vacancy created on the Vancouver City Council when voters elevated Tim Leavitt from councilor to replace long-time Mayor Royce Pollard. So Hansen has about six months on the job, after emerging from a process that included 15 other applicants.
Voters have a chance this year to retain Hansen, who faces two challengers in the Aug. 17 primary (ballots will be mailed July 28). The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 2 general election, and The Columbian views the two best choices as Hansen and challenger John Jenkins, respectively. Jenkins is making his second bid for the council. Like Hansen, he failed to make it out of last year’s primary race for the council seat vacated by Pat Jollota. That race was won by Jack Burkman, who ultimately voted for Hansen as Leavitt’s replacement.
Hansen’s most significant political attribute might be the fact that he is endorsed by both Leavitt and Pollard, the two bitter combatants in last year’s mayoral race. But more compelling has been his six months work on the council, where he has invigorated a ruling body traditionally controlled by older public servants who are often retired. Hansen, 35, is the council’s youngest member and the only one who is married with two young children. That perspective carries value, and although Hansen in many cases has maneuvered subtly through his first six months as a newcomer, it’s clear that he takes seriously his role as representative of young families.
In budget discussions, Hansen has strongly advocated preserving jobs in the police and fire departments. He says further consolidation of the region’s city and county agencies (such as parks and transportation) should be explored to reduce costs. Although Hansen believes city workers should share in the sacrifices commanded by the Great Recession (“to maintain their jobs, they should do more in contract concessions”) he is reluctant to specify reductions in pay and benefits that might come up during negotiations with unions.