Get to Know Spotlight Series: City of SeaTac Mayor Mohamed Egal

Welcome to our new “Get to Know” series where we spotlight SeaTac superstars! Our first post is all about SeaTac’s VIP: Mayor Mohamed Egal! Read more and watch the video below.

Watch Video (2:30)

Q&A WITH CITY OF SEATAC MAYOR MOHAMED EGAL

Mayor since January 9, 2024
Councilmember since January 1, 2022
Chair, Planning & Economic Development Committee
Chair, Sidewalk Advisory Committee
Member, Parks & Recreation Committee
Member, Soundside Alliance Policy Committee

Q: What is your name and what is your position in the city?
A: My name is Mohamed Egal and I am the mayor of the City of SeaTac.

Q: How long have you lived in SeaTac?
A: I moved to SeaTac in 2008 from California, where I lived for about 16 years.

Q: Where did you live before that?
A: I immigrated from Somalia in the late 1990s, as a young man searching for a home, a place to lay my roots. America welcomed me and gave me an opportunity to start my family and my career as a social worker.

Q: Why did you choose to run for City Council?
A: I ran for City Council because I saw a city full of challenges and potential. SeaTac is the home of the 8^th largest airport in America. It is sandwiched between I-5 and light rail stations on International Boulevard. I believe we have enormous challenges and opportunities to address – including huge economic growth and opportunities, addressing the shortage of affordable housing issue, improving public safety, and dealing with pollution, noise, and traffic associated with the SeaTac Airport.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish as Mayor?
A: I would like to build a broad coalition which will advance One SeaTac vision, and handle both of our challenges and opportunities head-on.

As Mayor, my priorities include:

facilitating strong public safety by hiring more police officers
expanding emergency responses with the addition of mental health and social counselors
building trusted relationships with youth, people of color and senior residents
helping neighborhoods and communities preserve single-family housing
increasing affording housing by working with other neighboring jurisdictions on code enforcement and investing in affordable housing options
making fiscally responsible decisions like cutting waste and identifying duplication by collaborating with a wide array of partners.

Q: What are you most proud of in your work for the city so far?
A: Our community’s decency and the kindness of our residents. The physical beauty of SeaTac is always a source of pride. Our amazing proximity to everywhere in the Puget Sound area and around the globe.

Q: What is your message to young immigrants who are interested in local government?
A: No matter where you were born or where your parents came from, you have the right to be a proud American and live in the Shinning City on the hill – SeaTac! Just like everything in life, there will be expectations asked of you. So study hard, listen to your parents, serve your community and country – and most of all, have faith in yourself and your country, and all will be well!