Larry Wright, the managing director of the Bellevue Arts Museum and a Sammamish resident, has announced he will run against Kathleen Huckabay for Council Position No. 1.

“Sammamish is a great place to live,” Wright said. “I want to help make it even better through fiscally sound policies that promote moderate growth while retaining the city’s unique charm and character.”

Prior to joining the museum, he served as CEO of the National Mentoring Partnership in Washington, D.C. and as executive director of the Washington state affiliate, Washington State Mentors.

Wright received his PhD in communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his MA and BA from Washington State University.He sits on the boards of the College Success Foundation, Washington State Mentors, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound and is also a Commissioner on the State Charter School Commission.

Wright said he values green space, efficient public services, more retail space, wisely spent money, public spaces enriched with art and traffic improvements.

“I am running for Sammamish City Council to ensure our high quality of life is available to residents for years to come,” he said.

Wright’s parents have lived in Sammamish since 1987, and he and his wife have lived in the city since 2009. They  have two young children who both attend Margaret Mead Elementary.

Sammamish Council Position No. 1 is the only contested spot of four openings. Tom Odell, Don Gerend and Bob Keller will run unopposed. Christine Malchow withdrew her name from running for Position No. 5, held by Gerend.