Daniel Biss

People at a coffee shopDaniel Biss is campaigning to serve a second term as a “weak mayor.”The term “weak mayor” has nothing do with the character of the person holding that office.

It’s part of the system in which a mayor shares responsibilities with a city manager. The mayor’s job is part-time and not well paid considering its importance. The power to officiate at weddings and attend the swearing in of police officers offers some compensation.

Daniel’s interest in public service began with political organizing, which led him to serve 8 years in the state legislature. In 2021 he became mayor of the city where he and his wife are raising their children.

His reelection campaign is based on a “bold and progressive” agenda. He’s searching for consensus on a long-term vision to guide the city, reading the pulse of 78,000 residents each step of the way.

Like communities across the country, his town is grappling with the issue of affordable housing. Will expanding supply make a difference? Will greater density energize economic development and moderate pressure on taxpayers?

Daniel believes climate-change mitigation and sustainability are challenges cities can’t afford to ignore. He believes there is an overdue responsibility to reckon with inequity.

These goals are possible to achieve only by building consensus among members of a city council, committees and their staff. This is work that can try a soul to its limit.

It takes a strong person to be a “weak mayor.”