By Lindsay Peyton

Of the seven candidates who ran in the primary election for the seat vacated by Tom Albro, Shridhar and former Seattle councilmember Peter Steinbrueck rose to the top. Voters will decide between the two on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Shridhar has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal for the job.

Jayapal said that met Shridhar through the Indian-American community and worked closely with her when building a transportation package with the state legislature that affected Renton. 

“I’m very interested in finding exceptionally well-qualified candidates who also bring diversity to elected office,” Jayapal said. “Preeti is one of those exceptional candidates.”

Jayapal added that the Port would benefit from Shiridhar’s experience as an immigrant – and her work on environmental issues. 

“She’ll be a powerful voice,” Jayapal said. “She’s very knowledgeable and will have a lot to contribute. She has such a range of experience in government and the public sector – and has a passion for creating a Port that works for everyone – businesses, government and the community.”

Shridhar currently serves as deputy public affairs administrator for the City of Renton, and previously as communications director for the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Environment. 

She said her launch into politics was sparked by the election of the president – and his subsequent executive order on immigration in January.

“I suddenly felt very vulnerable and very scared,” she said. “There was a need to stand up for women and for the immigrant community. Not only are we part of the fabric here, we’re part of the greater value of the country.”

Shridhar immigrated from India to the U.S. in 1986. 

“I’m an immigrant, and I have to stand up,” she said. “This does not represent the values of our community. This is not what we stand for. I have to take action.”

When Shridhar first learned about the opening for Port Commissioner, she saw it as her chance to make a difference. 

She said that in the past she has helped Renton become a more inclusive city – and worked in Seattle to introduce recycling programs. Her proudest accomplishment was helping launch Seattle’s Climate Protection Initiative, which she said led to the national U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

If elected to the Port of Seattle, Shridhar believes she could protect diversity and promote environmental programs at a regional level.  “The Port has a broad impact,” she said. 

Her goals are to manage the growth of the airport, minimize environmental impacts and create opportunities for well-paying jobs. 

“The Port has to be accountable; it has to be transparent,” Shridhar said. “I don’t have all the answers, but I will do the work to find the answers.”

She added that Port Commissioners have a duty to look for new solutions. 

“They cannot be stuck in ‘this is the way we’ve always done it,’” she said. 

In that vein, Shridhar hopes to help Sea-Tac become first in the nation to use biofuels, which she said could improve the environment and the health of the city’s residents.

“We can be the leader,” she said. “We can make this happen. I see myself as an agent for change, someone who brings people together.”

For more information about the election, visit www.kingcounty.gov.