Mercer Island Councilwoman Tana Senn To Seek Full Term in November Election

Mercer Island City Councilwoman Tana Senn announced that she will run for the full four-year term for the seat she was appointed to last year.

She was appointed to the council in January 2012 to fill the remaining term of former mayor Jim Pearman, who took a position with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Senn released the following statement on Monday:

Mercer Island City Councilmember Tana Senn today announced that she is seeking to continue her role on the City Council by running in November for a full four-year term. Senn has served on the Council since her appointment in January 2012 to fill the remaining term of former mayor Jim Pearman. Senn serves as the Council liaison to the Utility Board and on the Council Subcommittees on Parks and Recreation and Sustainability. She is also the City's representative to the Sound Cities Association, a regional coalition collaborating to create regional solutions.

Senn’s campaign committee unveiled her official campaign website (ElectTanaSenn.org) and a list of endorsements from a diverse group of community leaders and elected officials including State Representative Marcie Maxwell, Deputy King County Executive Fred Jarrett, Mercer Island Mayor Bruce Bassett, Mercer Island School Board President Janet Frohnmayer, Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce President Ralph Swanson and dozens of others.

“I am working hard to fight tolling on I-90 at the local, state and federal levels,” explained Councilmember Senn. “At the same time, I’m focused on the day-to-day issues that make our Island a wonderful place to live—parks and open spaces, safe roads and sidewalks, a vibrant Town Center and quality education.”

Senn brings to the City Council a background in communications and government relations  with extensive local and national work experience with nonprofits and foundations such as The Seattle Foundation, Social Venture Partners (SVP) and Hadassah. Before moving to the Seattle area in 2000, Senn earned a Master in Public Policy and Administration from Columbia University and a bachelor degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

Senn’s volunteer involvement in the Mercer Island community includes managing the campaign of fellow Councilmember Debbie Bertlin and serving on the leadership team of the fire station and rescue truck levy campaign. Prior to her appointment to the City Council, Senn was president-elect of the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation and on the Giving from the Heart breakfast committee. She also served on the Island Park Elementary School PTA Executive Committee. Active in the Jewish community, Senn served on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle for six years.

Senn and her husband Kevin Flaherty have two children who attend Island Park Elementary School.