My name is Rich Ryan and I am running for mayor of Everett. I am 44 years old, born March 21 st 1981 in Daly City California. I would have been born in San Francisco but my dad hated driving downtown, so instead of driving into SF he always drove outwards. I grew up in a small house on the outskirts of San Francisco in the Excelsior District. I was bullied a lot as a kid and it made things pretty tough for me. I ran away from home at the age of 12 and lived on the streets in San Francisco.
I was eventually placed into a group home, where my life was turned around by a program that was incredibly community focused. We volunteered anytime the community needed us! Need your overgrown bushes trimmed? We got you! Need volunteers at the county fair, here is a whole team. We had mentors and tutors, we worked hard, and we picked ourselves up off the ground.
That experience showed me a lot, as I was well on my way to becoming a statistic. People showed me decency, love, patience, respect, and guidance. I want to pay that back 200 fold, I am only here because there are good people in this world who care about something bigger than themselves.
That is exactly why I am here.
Because I believe when we focus on issues with love and respect, we can accomplish anything. I bring a fresh perspective to this race, I am not an ex CEO, I will never see you as a number on a spreadsheet. You will always be my neighbor, and I will lead with honesty, transparency, love, and respect.