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Michael attended John Marshall High School and North Seattle Community College.

Michael is the operator of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division. He used to be a transportation driver for the Franz Family Bakery.

Michael Westgaard's campaign for city council is his first entry into politics.

Said, "I believe that we can have a community that doesn’t rely on cars as the sole reliable options for transportation."

Plans to connect neighborhoods with bikeable walking trails that connect to other transit options, such as bus and rail.

- Said, "I believe that we can have a community that doesn’t rely on cars as the sole reliable options for transportation."
- Plans to connect neighborhoods with bikeable walking trails that connect to other transit options, such as bus and rail.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Said, "We need to create a Renton that has housing for all its residents, providing the safety and security of a roof over every person’s head."

Plans to negotiate to pre-approve duplexes, fourplexes, and sixplexes to limit the cost of building new housing for developers.

Wants rent control for residential and commercial properties.

Supports ending property tax exemptions on land holdings in order to fund housing programs.

Advocates for an unoccupied unit tax on rental and commercial space.

- Said, "We need to create a Renton that has housing for all its residents, providing the safety and security of a roof over every person’s head."
- Plans to negotiate to pre-approve duplexes, fourplexes, and sixplexes to limit the cost of building new housing for developers.
- Wants rent control for residential and commercial properties.
- Supports ending property tax exemptions on land holdings in order to fund housing programs.
- Advocates for an unoccupied unit tax on rental and commercial space.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports lowering carbon emissions, but believes that popularizing electric automobiles isn't enough to do so.

Plans to improve the environment by providing more public transport options.

- Supports lowering carbon emissions, but believes that popularizing electric automobiles isn't enough to do so.
- Plans to improve the environment by providing more public transport options.

Environment

Wants a "strong enforcement mechanism and a comprehensive implementation plan for Raise The Wage Renton."

Plans to raise pay for lower paid workers.

- Wants a "strong enforcement mechanism and a comprehensive implementation plan for Raise The Wage Renton."
- Plans to raise pay for lower paid workers.

Public Services

Advocates for implementation of crisis care centers and mental health counseling.

Wants to build a response group for people in crisis that doesn't require police officers. He said, "Police play a part in public safety and we can’t expect them to be able to respond to all of society’s issues."

Plans to create a community council overseeing police conduct and that has the authority to hold officers accountable.

- Advocates for implementation of crisis care centers and mental health counseling.
- Wants to build a response group for people in crisis that doesn't require police officers. He said, "Police play a part in public safety and we can’t expect them to be able to respond to all of society’s issues."
- Plans to create a community council overseeing police conduct and that has the authority to hold officers accountable.

Public Safety

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Michael Westgaard

Michael Westgaard graduated from John Marshall High School, then attended North Seattle Community College. He has volunteered with Working Washington, and is currently involved with Raise the Wage Renton.

Michael Westgaard is currently the operator of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, which he has been since 2018. He was previously a transportation driver for the Franz Family Bakery in 2015.

Michael Westgaard's campaign for city council member is his first entry into politics.

- "I believe that we can have a community that doesn’t rely on cars as the sole reliable options for transportation."
- Intends to connect neighborhoods with bikeable walking trails that connect to other transit options, such as bus and rail.

- "We need to create a Renton that has housing for all its residents, providing the safety and security of a roof over every person’s head."
- Plans to negotiate to pre-approve duplexes, fourplexes, and sixplexes to limit cost to builders.
- Wants to institute rent controls in both the commercial and residential spheres.
- Supports ending property tax exemptions on land holdings in order to fund housing programs.
- Advocates for an unoccupied unit tax on rental and commercial space.

- Supports combatting carbon emissions, but believes that popularizing electric automobiles isn't enough to do so.
- Plans to improve the environment through increasing public transport options.

- Wants a "strong enforcement mechanism and a comprehensive implementation plan for Raise The Wage Renton."
- Plans to implement a pay raise for lower paid workers.

- Advocates for implementation of crisis care centers and mental health counseling.
- Wants to build a response group for people in crisis that doesn't require police officers: "Police play a part in public safety and we can’t expect them to be able to respond to all of society’s issues."
- Plans to create a community council overseeing police conduct and that has the authority to hold officers accountable.

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy, including passing legislation about the police, fire department, parks, libraries, electricity, water, solid waste, and drainage utilities. 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department.
- City council members serve four year terms, and elections are nonpartisan. City council members are either elected to represent specific districts or are elected at-large, meaning that they represent the entire city. 