Harrison Earl announced his candidacy for Longmont City Council for Ward 1 on Wednesday.
Earl has served on the Longmont Airport Advisory Board since 2018. In 2020, he was elected as chair. His experience in working with aviation stems from working for 15 years in commercial aviation at Southwest Airlines and Denver International Airport. He is currently a consultant for Crawford, Murphy and Tilly.
“I enjoy getting to interact with airports of all sizes throughout the country to add new airline service and bring significant economic benefits to their community,” Earl said.
He believes that Longmont’s Vance Brand Municipal Airport can be an economic driver for the city but does not support the airport expanding towards commercial airline services or changing its role in the community.
The Ward 1 seat is currently held by Councilmember Tim Waters who announced on June 10 that he would not seek reelection.
If elected, the Ward 1 seat would be the first political office Earl has held.
“The timing is right for me to step up and work to improve Longmont,” Earl said. “I’m running for city council to be a voice for all in Longmont and to do what I can to improve our city.”
Earl wants to focus his attention on affordable housing, public safety and transportation.
“Longmont is becoming increasingly expensive, with housing costs pricing residents out. If I am elected, I’ll focus on how we can add more affordable and attainable housing, add density along key corridors in the city without changing the character of our neighborhoods, and provide more resources for those experiencing housing insecurity,” he said.
His transportation efforts would focus on building safer streets for pedestrians and bikers and creating more access to public transit through microtransit options.
Building connections is very important to Earl who would like to see the community and public safety grow closer.
He would also support efforts such as gun buyback events “to help get firearms off the streets,” he said.
“I’m dedicated to serving Longmont with honesty and integrity if I am elected. I will serve not as a Democrat or a Republican, but as a resident of Longmont. If we disagree on an issue, I promise to do so respectfully and with an open mind to other perspectives. Longmont is a fantastic place to live, work, and play, and I will do everything I can to keep this community strong and make it even better,” Earl said.
