John E. Manning

Before running for city council, Manning served as a Seattle police officer for 16 years, retiring as a sergeant.^[2] In 1996, he ran against incumbent councilmember Sherry Harris, defeating her 54% to 46%.^[3] While on council, Manning served as chair of the Transportation committee.^[2]

In October 1996, Manning was arrested for domestic violence against his wife, who claimed he slammed her into a truck.^[4][5] He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic assault and received a deferred sentence on condition he complete a batterer's program, forfeit his right to carry a firearm, and not violate any other laws.^[4] Manning remained on the council until his subsequent arrest in December 1996 after breaking in to his estranged wife's home.^[4][5] He resigned from office on December 16, 1996, to focus on his defense.^[4][5] Manning pleaded guilty to misdemeanor trespass, served 30 days of home detention, and spent three days in jail.^[1][6]

After leaving the city council, Manning became a relator and volunteered with his church.^[1][5] In 2003, Manning ran for the Seattle City Council again, this time against incumbent Jim Compton.^[7] Manning focused his campaign on public safety and small business support, relying on his experience as a police officer and small business owner.^[1][7] In the September primary, Manning came in second in the four-person race, with 24.78% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Compton, who earned 39.87%.^[8][9] In the general election, Compton defeated Manning, 56% to 44%.^[3]

In 2007, councilmember Peter Steinbrueck chose not to run for reelection, which drew five challengers for the open seat, which included Manning, Bruce Harrell, and former mayoral candidate Al Runte.^[10][11] He again focused his campaign on public safety, saying he would attach public-safety funding to every bond and levy measure that gets proposed.^[10] Manning also said he would work with state lawmakers to address what he called a regressive tax system.^[10] In the August primary, Manning came in fourth with 7.85% of the vote.^[12][13]

Manning is married to his second wife, with whom he has two daughters.^[1][6] Manning's first wife of 18 years publicly forgave him, recanting some allegations and claiming some others were exaggerated in the eye of a marital storm.^[6]