2025 Issaquah Video Voters' Guide - Diogo Magalhaes, Candidate for Issaquah City Council Pos. 5

Grateful to Issaquah City TV and the City of Issaquah Government for giving all candidates a voice in this election. I’m excited to share my vision and values for our wonderful community.

Please visit the link below to learn more about my platform:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq9DdJmYCGA

Here is a transcript of my speech:

Hello, my name is Diogo Magalhaes, and I’m honored to be running for Issaquah City Council.

As a first-generation immigrant and a proud U.S. citizen I have a deep appreciation for America’s ability to bring people from different backgrounds together to build something special. I’m running to ensure Issaquah remains a place where everyone feels that they belong and can thrive.

Professionally, I’ve spent my career bringing people together to solve complex challenges—whether by securing Ford Foundation grants to launch a nonprofit in ethical corporate governance; managing a 1-billion-dollar client portfolio in a Fortune 5 subsidiary; and more recently leading strategic initiatives at Cornell Law School and Seattle University. In my experience, the most lasting solutions come from listening first, leading transparently, and always keeping people at the center.

Like you, I chose to make Issaquah home because of our vibrant community spaces, our beautiful parks, and our exceptional quality of life. As our city grows, we need leadership that balances progress with preservation, and development with sustainability.

I have three main priorities:

First, to Promote Deliberate and Inclusive Housing Strategies:Issaquah families deserve the chance to put down roots without being priced out. That means smarter zoning reforms, transit-oriented development near our transit center, and mixed-income neighborhoods. I also believe in transforming underused commercial corridors into vibrant third places.

But affordability isn’t just about building more housing units—it’s about strengthening families’ economic foundation. I advocate for living wages, local job creation, and access to affordable childcare and healthcare, so families can afford stable housing with dignity.

Another priority is Reducing Traffic Congestion

I see tremendous opportunity in improving and maximizing our underutilized transit center while championing flexible work policies that reduce congestion.

I will prioritize protected bike lanes, walkable neighborhoods, and reliable transit connections. I believe in planning neighborhoods around people—not just cars—to reduce congestion, improve safety, and balance connectivity with livability.

My final priority is Sustainable Energy Independence:We must invest in clean, reliable, and resilient energy systems. That means expanding solar adoption, supporting neighborhood battery storage, and preparing for smart-grid infrastructure that ensures reliability during peak demand. These investments not only cut emissions, but also keep energy dollars in our community, create local jobs, and build long-term resilience.

This campaign isn’t about me—it’s about us. I believe we have the resolve to invest in building community and stewarding our environmental heritage in a compassionate, sustainable, and inclusive way. Issaquah doesn’t need to reinvent itself, it needs to be itself!

I’m running to bring not just experience, but empathy, to City Hall. Because I believe the measure of a community is whether everyone feels seen, valued, and heard. Let’s build that future together.