Giordani, Wrede vie for city’s top office
BY MARK DEE
Bellevue voters will pick between two candidates for mayor on Nov. 4—both current elected officials. Mayor Christina Giordani, who was appointed from her council seat following the resignation of former Mayor Chris Johnson in 2024, will face Councilwoman Suzanne Wrede. The winner will earn a two-year term as the city’s top official. The Wood River Weekly caught up with both candidates for a Q&A—asking each the same set of questions—ahead of the upcoming vote. Here are their responses, in alphabetical order.
Christina Giordani
What in your background best prepares you to be mayor of Bellevue?
As Bellevue’s current mayor and former city council president, I believe I have a record of getting things done. My background in business and public service prepared me to lead effectively and manage our city’s resources responsibly. I’m not just a government official. I’m a neighbor dedicated to making Bellevue a place where everyone can thrive. I think the stability of my experience allows me to efficiently continue the hard work of improving our town.
What’s the biggest challenge facing Bellevue in the next four years?
Our biggest challenge is managing growth in a way that preserves our small-town charm while securing our future. We need to make smart, long-term investments in our infrastructure—like our water and wastewater systems and streets—so we can support the needs of our community without losing what makes Bellevue special. It requires careful planning and a commitment to balanced, sustainable development that serves everyone, from long-time residents to new families.
What’s one budget line item that needs more funding? And what’s one you’d cut?
I believe we must increase funding for our fire and police departments to ensure full staffing and quick response times; our residents’ safety is non-negotiable. Rather than cutting essential people and services, I would focus on reducing reliance on costly emergency repairs by implementing programmed funding plans for infrastructure. This proactive approach saves money in the long run and provides better fiscal stability for our city.
What plank of your platform do you think differs most from your opponent?
My focus on collaborative leadership is what truly sets my platform apart. I believe the best solutions come from listening and working together—with residents, business owners, and community groups. It’s not about pushing a personal agenda; it’s about building partnerships to create a future that reflects our collective values. My leadership style is rooted in teamwork, practicality and ensuring everyone has a voice in Bellevue’s direction.
How do you plan to reach Bellevue’s growing Latino population?
Reaching our Latino neighbors and business owners means showing up, listening, and ensuring they have a seat at the table. I am committed to being present at community events, like the recent Hispanic Heritage Festival, and ensuring city communications are accessible to everyone. Building trust is essential, and I will continue working to ensure that city hall actively serves and represents every single resident of our diverse and vibrant community.
What’s one area where Bellevue city government can better service its residents?
We can always improve how we engage with our residents. I want to make our city government more approachable and responsive. By continuing to hold open forums and ensuring our communications are dependable and accessible, we can make certain people know what’s happening and feel empowered to participate. My goal is to foster a culture where residents see city hall not as a bureaucracy, but as a reliable partner in building a better Bellevue.
Suzanne Wrede
What in your background best prepares you to be mayor of Bellevue?
My belief that government exists to deliver services to the people that elect it, my work to encourage civic engagement through my Bellevue Matters newsletter, my three years of door knocking to get out the vote, my professional experience in solutions architecture and project management, and my past year on the city council have prepared me with a clear vision, a detailed roadmap and a firm commitment to serve Bellevue as mayor.
What’s the biggest challenge facing Bellevue in the next four years?
Ensuring that our city government consistently puts Bellevue residents first and that City Hall uses tax money and its policy making power in ways that directly benefit our current community. That means having a laser focus on specific challenges like affordability, resource sustainability, delivery of services and emergency preparedness. Serving the residents of today is the best way to build a healthier, happier future for Bellevue.
What’s one budget line item that needs more funding? And what’s one you’d cut?
I would increase funding to the Streets Department to establish a Safe Roads Initiative to reliably maintain our roads and streetlights. I would reduce Admin funding by moving some staff into roles to improve water/sewer service. And I would reduce Community Development funding by optimizing operations and moving some staff to a new Community Services Department to support key initiatives such as safe streets, resident-led ROW management, Main Street business services and resident programs.
What plank of your platform do you think differs most from your opponent?
It is my belief that government exists to deliver services to the residents in Safe, Timely, Affordable, Reliable and Sustainable ways—what I call STARS. To me, all metrics, all goals and all outcomes need to serve the current residents of Bellevue in measurable ways. This is the direct opposite of the “City first” and “future first” FY26 budget and the ordinances and resolutions on our city council meeting agendas.
How do you plan to reach Bellevue’s growing Latino population?
We have many “populations”—seniors, families, individuals, business owners—and Latinos fall into all of them. And all of these groups need to be reached. Bellevue civic engagement is universally low for the same reasons—lack of trust, feeling powerless, and simply being busy. City Hall needs to regain everyone’s trust and that starts by delivering services that meet high standards. With trust, all “populations” will find their voices because they will know they matter.
What’s one area where Bellevue city government can better service its residents?
By establishing performance metrics like STARS – expectations that guide decisions and create accountability. Establishing service levels means that City Hall is open five days/week, communications happen in Timely, Reliable ways, financial reporting and decisions are highly transparent to ensure Affordability, residents have Timely, Reliable tools like 24/7 customer portals, our roads are kept Safe with Timely, Reliable changing of lightbulbs and repairing of defects, and that our water delivery is Safe and Sustainable.