Harold Moss, entered electoral politics in 1969 as an unsuccessful candidate for the Tacoma City Council. Moss was appointed to a seat in 1970. He was elected to a full term in 1971, but stepped down from his elected position in 1975. Was appointed to council in 1987 and was reelected in 1991. In January 1994, Tacoma mayor Jack Hyde suffered a fatal heart attack nearly at the start of his term. Moss, serving as deputy mayor at the time, was appointed mayor and served for two years. Moss was subsequently elected to the Pierce County Council, serving from 1997 to 2004, including as council chair from 2002 to 2004, at which time he announced his retirement. He ran unsuccessfully for the Tacoma mayoralty in 2001