Tuesday, as Seattle mayoral candidate Bruce Harrell touted a “major” new endorsement from the local firefighters union, there was another endorsement that might be more impactful here in District 3.

Wyking Garrett of the Africatown community group and land trust has also endorsed the campaign of the veteran Seattle politician, Converge Media’s Omari Salisbury reports. UPDATE: Garrett says he has endorsed Harrell “in a personal capacity.”

The endorsement comes as Garrett has joined in a call for community involvement and investment in the neighborhood in response to ongoing gun violence and an incident that frayed nerves as shots rang out during a youth football game Saturday afternoon at Judkins Park.

I was proud to stand alongside Seattle Fire Fighters today, as well as community and small business leaders like @wyking, @LindaDilello, and Ali Ghambari, to present a new vision for public safety – where safety and security are paramount for every community in our city. pic.twitter.com/Ht9rPHrlfx

— Bruce Harrell (@bruceforseattle) September 28, 2021

“I was proud to stand alongside Seattle Fire Fighters today, as well as community and small business leaders like Wyking Garrett, Linda Di Lello Morton, and Ali Ghambari, to present a new vision for public safety – where safety and security are paramount for every community in our city,” Harrell said via social media.

Di Lello Morton is the owner of Capitol Hill’s Terra Plata restaurant and a board member of the Seattle Restaurant Alliance. Ghambari, meanwhile, owns the Cherry Street coffee shop chain.

Previously, Harrell’s campaign announced endorsement from  “nearly two dozen Black community leaders from throughout Seattle and the region.”

Garrett and the Africatown Land Trust’s most significant development project to date, the Africatown Plaza affordable housing development, is ready to begin construction at 23rd and Spring. Africatown also has plans to transform the decommissioned fire station at 23rd and Yesler into a new technology center and is leading the process to create a new “culturally responsive” shelter on the former Keiro property at 17th and Yesler.

Earlier this week, CHS reported on the ongoing race between Harrell and Lorena González and how the candidates say they will work to end the city’s homelessness crisis.

Harrell, former city council president, and, briefly, the city’s mayor, has touted his Garfield High School and Central District upbringing throughout his political career and the 2021 race.

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