Wesley C. Uhlman
Encyclopedia
Wesley Carl Uhlman was the 47th mayor of Seattle.
In 1958, as a 23-year-old UW law student, he won election as the youngest member of the Washington State House of Representatives. He served four terms before running for, and winning, a seat in the Washington State Senate. He was elected mayor of Seattle
, Washington in 1969 and reelected in 1973. At 34, he was Seattle's youngest mayor. Among his accomplishments are the preservation of the historic Pioneer Square
district and expansion of services for senior citizens. Uhlman ran for governor of Washington in 1976 but was defeated in the Democratic primary
by Dixy Lee Ray
, in a three-way race.
In 1977, Uhlman proclaimed Seattle's first Gay Pride Week and in 1978 he opposed repeal of the city's civil rights protections for gays and lesbians. After 1978, Uhlman largely retired from politics, turning his attention to land development. He later opposed expanded legal rights for renters.
He had a non-speaking cameo in the movie Harry in your Pocket
released in 1974 where he played a "victim" of the pickpocketing main character "Harry".
Biography
He attended Aberdeen High School, Seattle Pacific College, and the University of Washington.In 1958, as a 23-year-old UW law student, he won election as the youngest member of the Washington State House of Representatives. He served four terms before running for, and winning, a seat in the Washington State Senate. He was elected mayor of Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, Washington in 1969 and reelected in 1973. At 34, he was Seattle's youngest mayor. Among his accomplishments are the preservation of the historic Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington
Pioneer Square is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of Downtown Seattle, Washington, USA. It was once the heart of the city: Seattle's founders settled there in 1852, following a brief six-month settlement at Alki Point on the far side of Elliott Bay. The early structures in the neighborhood...
district and expansion of services for senior citizens. Uhlman ran for governor of Washington in 1976 but was defeated in the Democratic primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
by Dixy Lee Ray
Dixy Lee Ray
Dixy Lee Ray was the 17th Governor of the U.S. State of Washington. She was Washington's first female governor.-Early years:...
, in a three-way race.
In 1977, Uhlman proclaimed Seattle's first Gay Pride Week and in 1978 he opposed repeal of the city's civil rights protections for gays and lesbians. After 1978, Uhlman largely retired from politics, turning his attention to land development. He later opposed expanded legal rights for renters.
He had a non-speaking cameo in the movie Harry in your Pocket
Harry in Your Pocket
Harry in Your Pocket is a 1973 film, written by James Buchanan and Ronald Austin and directed by Bruce Geller, starring James Coburn, Michael Sarrazin, Trish Van Devere and Walter Pidgeon....
released in 1974 where he played a "victim" of the pickpocketing main character "Harry".
External links
- Wes Uhlman, Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project, University of Washington. Includes numerous video clips from 2005 interview.
- Guide to the Wesley C. (Wes) Uhlman Mayoral Records at the Seattle Municipal Archives