Press Talk: Count Leavitt out next time

The Vancouver mayoral election is still two years away, but you can count one person out of the race.

The mayor.

“I’m 99 percent certain I won’t run,” Mayor Tim Leavitt told me.

In Vegas, a 99 percent chance means you could pretty much bet the house and your first-born on it.

Although Leavitt has made no public announcement, he has slowly been telling insiders he will be finished after this term. I wasn’t exactly sure how he would answer my question on this when I sat down with him late this week over a cup of coffee. To his credit, he was open, direct and honest.

What’s at play?

On the surface, Leavitt’s decision doesn’t add up. Vancouver is doing well. It feels like the city is moving forward, and Leavitt’s leadership gets a chunk of credit. He won the mayor’s job in 2009 by beating popular incumbent Royce Pollard. Then, in 2013, he had token opposition from Councilor Bill Turlay and won re-election.

His biggest political issues? When running against Pollard, he strongly opposed tolling on the proposed Columbia River Crossing project, something Pollard maintained was a necessary evil to get the bridge completed. Then, shortly after his victory, Leavitt switched gears and conceded tolls were necessary.

Also the city is sort of on automatic pilot when it comes to raising taxes. That’s never an election enhancer.

But the community has consistently looked past all of that.

So, with things going well, why call it quits?

“I have to think about my future,” Leavitt told me.

What Leavitt means by “his future” is, he has to make a living. The mayor’s part-time gig pays only $27,000 a year. He is a civil engineer by trade — which typically can pay about $90,000 to $100,000 a year. But that number would be heavily slashed for Leavitt, because he has to take time off for the mayor stuff.

That adds up to … not so much. If you look at our city council — or many councils across the country — it is front-loaded with old retired folks. That’s not a good thing or a bad thing. It’s just a thing. In the end, most folks who serve on part-time councils like ours have made their living already. They have time on their hands and want to give back to the community.

Leavitt is 44. He’d be 46 if he ran again. And he’d be 50 if he won and served out that term.

“I have to start thinking about my life when I’m 67,” he told me.

But he is somebody!

I wondered if he could give up the limelight. Being someone of note has its own addictive lure.

“People have asked me that. I don’t think so.”

Leavitt pointed out he’s already happy to allow other councilors to represent the city at community functions. And those who are on the function circuit see more councilors than they do the mayor.

“I try to pick and choose the ones I want to go to,” he told me.

His private life

Look, no matter who you are in life, if you’re a 44-year-old bachelor, that will be talked about.

“I’ve heard it all,” Leavitt conceded.

Leavitt said it’s not like he isn’t interested in a more permanent relationship, it’s just difficult to pull it off with both his mayoral duties and his private job. Simply not enough time. Plus, he notes, not a lot of dates are interested in attending community events with him.

“I’ll get pulled in 30 different conversations, and she’ll be left at our table, often with people she doesn’t really know.”

It’s just possible a little less mayor stuff could mean a little more personal stuff.

So Leavitt finds himself contemplating life and what the future might hold. And there isn’t a lot that could make him change his mind. Hitting the lottery or a huge sea change in how elected officials are compensated could make a difference. But he’s not counting on either of those.

Who’s in line?

Some have argued it is way too early for Leavitt to signal he’s bowing out. But Leavitt feels differently.

“This allows the community to look at councilors in a different light. How would they be as a mayor?” And make no mistake, the jockeying has already begun.

Many names will surface as time passes. For now, Councilor Jack Burkman has indicated a strong interest. He has the chops and the intelligence to be the mayor. But he comes off as a bit of a nerd. And not everyone feels a strong personal connection to him. Councilor Alicia Topper is also considering her options. She’s bright and personable. And driven. Her inexperience could hold her back. But if she focuses in on the mayor’s race, Burkman would be in for a real fight.

Still, with two years to go, anything could happen.

o o o

In the end, Leavitt seemed at peace with himself as he discussed his decision and his future. He’s left his mark on Vancouver. And that’s not something many of us can say.