Mark Sidran (born July 7, 1951) is a former Seattle City Attorney, serving three terms from 1990 to 2002. He is remembered most for his controversial "civility" laws.Local News | Mark Sidran: Not your Seattle stereotype | Seattle Times NewspaperSeattle News and Events | The Return of Mr. Civility
Early life Sidran grew up in the Rainier Valley neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. He attended Franklin High School alongside future-Governor Gary Locke and was elected Class President during his senior year.The many names of Mark Sidran | The Daily In 1973, he graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in government. He then returned to Seattle to attend the University of Washington School of Law, graduating in 1976 with a Juris Doctor.Mark Sidran's Seattle – Seattle News – City – The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper Sidran is Jewish.Mark Sidran's Biography – Project Vote Smart
Legal career Sidran spent ten years (1975-1985) as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Later, as head of the Juvenile Division, he played a major role in the child molestation prosecution of Judge Gary Little.Seattle News and Events | The Happy Martyr
From 1986 to 1989, Sidran was a partner at McKay & Gaitan.Guide to the Mark Sidran Subject Files 1990-2002 He was also a Special Counsel to Governor Booth Gardner.
In 1990, Sidran ran for and was elected Seattle City Attorney. Sidran was highly controversial for his "no broken windows" approach to law enforcement.San Francisco looks to Seattle: Did sidewalk sitting ban help? – seattlepi.com He has been called the Rudy Giuliani of Seattle. For example, he sponsored civility ordinances against public urination, public drinking, aggressive panhandling, sleeping in parks, sitting on sidewalks, and driving with a suspended license. His supporters have claimed that these ordinances cleaned up the city significantly, while detractors claim that they unfairly harass the homeless.The Mark Sidran Rap Sheet
Political career In 2001, Sidran became the Commissioner of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.
In 2001, Sidran ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Seattle, losing to Greg Nickels.Seattle News and Events | Legal trouble Nickels won with 50.1 percent of the vote compared to Sidran's 48.4 percent. Both candidates had outpolled mayor Paul Schell in the primary. Nickels overcame Sidran's two-to-one fundraising advantage and near-monopoly on press endorsements.
In 2004, Sidran ran unsuccessfully for Attorney General of Washington, losing the primary to Deborah Senn who was in turn defeated by Republican Rob McKenna in the general election.The Seattle Times: Regional politics: McKenna wins, Senn leading in attorney general campaigns.
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