Former Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan is taking his fight for public safety and fiscal accountability to Pierce County politics.
In an interview on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Solan announced his campaign for Pierce County Council District 7, saying he decided to run because residents are frustrated with rising taxes, government spending, and what he describes as a growing disconnect between elected leaders and the people they represent.
Solan, a longtime Seattle police officer and outspoken advocate for law enforcement, said his family relocated from Seattle to Pierce County nearly five years ago after activists targeted his West Seattle home with demonstrations.
“We moved my family down here because it’s a safe place,” Solan told host Ari Hoffman. “The community, in our view, is top-notch.”
Since moving to Pierce County, Solan said he has become increasingly concerned about what he sees as “fiscal irresponsibility,” excessive taxation, and local leaders ignoring constituents.
“The voices are not being heard,” Solan said. “It’s time to bring back reasonableness, common sense, fiscal responsibility, and more importantly, public safety.”
Ballot Challenge Sparks Early Controversy
Solan’s campaign has already faced political controversy before officially getting underway.
According to Solan, his candidacy was initially rejected over residency and voter registration language in the county charter. He responded by filing a lawsuit and ultimately won in court.
“They thought I was going to just roll over and give up,” Solan said. “That’s not my DNA.”
Solan said the legal challenge resulted in changes to county charter language that had existed since the 1980s.
He argued the effort to block his candidacy reflects broader political attempts to silence voices calling for moderation and accountability.
Public Safety at the Center of Campaign
Solan said improving public safety will be his top priority if elected.
He pointed to staffing shortages within the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, particularly in unincorporated areas of the county.
“Unincorporated Pierce County has the least amount of deputies per capita in the entire state of Washington,” Solan said.
He highlighted concerns on the Key Peninsula, where he said only 18 deputies patrol approximately 220 square miles.
“Sometimes we don’t have enough cops to answer the 911 call, so people feel unsafe,” he said.
Spending, Taxes, and Infrastructure
Beyond public safety, Solan said he plans to focus on government spending and infrastructure planning.
He criticized county leaders for failing to properly prepare for major infrastructure needs, specifically citing the aging Fox Island Bridge.
“They knew that this bridge was failing and needed to be replaced,” Solan said. “They’re not being logical in their spending habits and they’re not preparing for the future.”
Solan also pushed back against proposals that could place additional financial burdens on Fox Island residents through tolls or assessments.
He said local government should prioritize core responsibilities such as infrastructure, emergency services, and responsible budgeting before expanding other programs.
Campaign Message: “Moderation and Common Sense”
Throughout the interview, Solan rejected accusations that he is an extremist, saying his positions are rooted in moderation and practical governance.
“I’ve already been painted as an extremist for years in Seattle because I didn’t go along to get along,” Solan said.
He pointed to his tenure negotiating contracts for Seattle police officers as evidence of his ability to work across differences.
Solan closed the interview by urging voters to stay engaged in the political process.
“People don’t feel as if they’re being heard by their elected leaders,” he said. “Not with this campaign. This is going to be positive energy. It’s going to be respectful. It’s going to be moderate.”
Solan is encouraging supporters to volunteer and donate through his campaign website, SolanForPierce.com.
