DR. ADAM RAGHEB
Proven Experience for
Mercer Island City Council Position 7
I’m a father of three young children under 4, a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, and a former Mercer Island Planning Commissioner. My parents, a college professor and a public school teacher, raised me in a Midwest college town. My wife, a university educator and attorney, and I chose Mercer Island for its excellent public schools, its beautiful parks, and its safe and spacious neighborhoods.
Why I am Running
I am running for City Council to advocate for and preserve the rare quality of life we enjoy on Mercer Island. I will be a leader who knows how to work in collaboration with others, but stands firm when Mercer Island’s best interests are not being served. For the past four years, our balanced City Council has served the Mercer Island community well, and I’m committed to continuing that legacy of balanced, thoughtful leadership.
I am the only candidate with relevant city experience. I have no interest in higher political office - my focus is only on our Mercer Island community. I would be honored to have your vote!
Experience
I earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and currently work as a Senior Aerospace Systems Engineer. In my role, I regularly bring together diverse viewpoints to craft collaborative, data-driven solutions for complex systems-of-systems—an approach I believe will serve Mercer Island well.
While my professional background focuses on the aerospace industry, I also have firsthand experience with utility right-of-way and route design, soil conservation, airport land-use permitting, tree law, renewable energy, and administrative law proceedings.
Proven Experience. Trusted Community Advocate.
Priorities
More details to come as I continue to reach out and interact with our community!
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I support effective policing and strategies that keep our community safe. Investing in crime prevention programs like neighborhood watch and camera networks can deter criminal activity before it happens and a proactive approach can prevent e-bike injuries. I would oppose shelter projects like those in Bellevue’s Eastgate neighborhood and Kirkland that are making irreversible changes to those areas.
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The first value in our City’s Comprehensive Plan describes our residential community: “Mercer Island is principally a single-family residential community, supported by healthy schools, religious institutions, and recreational clubs.” I will work to maintain that character and to thoughtfully incorporate state-mandated changes. Other Eastside cities have gone beyond what is required and that is creating citizen uproar and fracturing communities - our balanced Council has taken a good approach, but that will only be maintained if the Council remains balanced.
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Our parks are the Island’s most-treasured asset. I will challenge proposals that threaten unneeded development on park lands, ensuring these cherished spaces are preserved for future generations to enjoy. As a Planning Commissioner I opposed an idea to allow parking structures that would encroach on park land. I provided guidance that parking in parks should be for park uses only, and this strategy was incorporated into the Park Zone by the Planning Commission.
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Without vibrant retail, parking, and public safety, our Town Center is at risk of further decline. Residents understand the suburban nature of our community and a vibrant retail core supports the character of our community. If elected, I will leverage my Planning Commission experience to promote appropriate development that supports a vibrant commercial district.
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I will work to address our aging infrastructure through thoughtful, integrated, and prioritized improvements. My Systems Engineering background requires me to analyze complex aerospace systems and ensure they perform appropriately and within budget. Our City and its infrastructure will benefit from my ability to analyze and solve complex systems problems.
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My wife and I selected Mercer Island as the place to raise our family because of its reputation for excellent public schools. I will work to ensure that the City continues to support our public schools and Mercer Island Youth and Familty Services.
Mercer Island is our home, and I am committed to protecting what makes our community special.
My experience as a Planning Commissioner has given me knowledge of how our city works and together we can guide its future.
ADAM RAGHEB
THE EXPERIENCED CHOICE FOR OUR CITY COUNCIL
Raised in the Midwest by parents who are both educators, Ragheb credits his upbringing with instilling a strong work ethic, respect for environmental stewardship, and an appreciation for excellent public schools.
Personal views aside, he believes it is a City Councilmember’s job to listen to and represent their constituents, and thus Adam pledges to hear every island resident who wishes to be heard, even in the cases where their personal beliefs may differ from his.
COMMUNITY ENDORSEMENTS
Planning Commission Chair Daniel Thompson
Past Planning Commissioner Michael Curry
Andrew Hay
Morrene Jacobson
Terry Jacobson
Olivia Lippens
Dan Norwood
Kristin Norwood
Joy Matsuura
Councilmember Lisa Anderl
Past Councilmember Tom Acker
Past Councilmember Mike Cero
John Anderson
Elizabeth Buckley
Susie Cero
Sarah Fletcher
Isabel Freitas Peres
Tiffany Kung
Rich Kung
Moms for Safe Mercer Island (M4SMI)
Parks & Rec. Commissioner Ashley Hay
Robin Russell
Mariana Santos
Paolo Santos
Sarah Smith
Peter Struck
Brent Watson
Maggie Watson
PROVEN RECORD
Adam has a strong track record of protecting our parks, preserving our neighborhoods, and supporting policy to allow our Town Center to thrive.
OPEN EARS
Adam’s willingness to listen to his constituents, even when contrasting viewpoints are held, will ensure his votes on the City Council are fair.
Questions?
adamrformicc@gmail.com
DEEP UNDERSTANDING
As a former Planning Commissioner, Adam has deep-dived a number of city topics and understands the importance of systems thinking.