Ryan Calkins is running for his second term on the Port of Seattle Commission. He won his Position 1 seat in 2017, earning The Urbanist’s endorsement in that election. Calkins works as a consultant and coach at Ventures, a charitable organization that helps low-income start and grow their businesses in the Puget Sound area. Previously, he ran an import and distribution company in Seattle recognized for its sustainability initiatives. Calkins began his career in Central and South America, working for disaster relief and human rights nonprofits. Check out Calkin’s campaign website for more information.

The Urbanist Election Committee followed up on our questionnaires with Zoom interviews to fill in the gaps. We released our Primary Endorsements in late June and endorsed Calkins. Since just two candidates are vying for this Port seat, both automatically advance to the general election and the race isn’t on the primary ballot. Primary ballots should have arrived in your mailbox and must be postmarked August 3rd. No stamp needed; postage is included. For voter information or to register to vote, visit the State election website.

Below are Ryan Calkin’s questionnaire responses. 

The Port itself is set to meet its carbon reduction targets earlier than anticipated, but the region as a whole is stagnating. How can the Port do more to address stagnating emissions levels around the region? 

The impetus behind my initial campaign for the Port of Seattle Commission was to accelerate the Port’s actions to address climate change. With less than a decade left to avert the worst outcomes of the climate crisis, we need leaders who act boldly and urgently.

Just because we are on pace to meet our reduction targets does not mean we should let up on our efforts to continue lowering our impact as one of the region’s major drivers of emissions. We should set the example for ports by continuing to pursue ambitious reduction goals and investing in the innovative practices and bold technologies needed to make those targets a reality. My hope is that the public’s perception of the Port will be its leadership on the environment.

Coordinating with county and local government partners on shared efforts to tackle climate change is crucial to ensuring the entire region makes the changes needed to prevent the worst outcomes of climate change. We are already leading on items like conservation and restoration programs, land use discussions, and alignment around transit and transportation options. We must take these efforts further.

What strategies would you push at the Port of Seattle to develop more alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle trips for Port employees and visitors? 

We know that vehicle traffic on airport property and connected streets and highways is a massive source of pollution – rivaling airplane impact. I’ve spearheaded an effort to create a transportation management association that would include all 350 businesses operating at the airport to reduce commutes, incentivize transit, and limit congestion.

Hamdi Mohamed is running for the Seattle Port Commission Position 3 against incumbent Stephanie Bowman. Mohamed served as Deputy District Director for Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal before taking a position as a policy advisor to the King County Office of Equity and Social Justice. Her website notes some results she’s gotten in that position: “Our efforts have supported forty international immigrant-owned women business-facing displacement in SeaTac.” Mohamed’s family arrived as refugees from Somalia when she was three. Mohamed’s mother worked in service at Sea-Tac Airport. She lives in Tukwila with her husband, who is a longtime Sea-Tac employee. Check out Mohamed’s campaign website for more information.

The Urbanist Election Committee followed up on our questionnaires with Zoom interviews to fill in the gaps. We released our Primary Endorsements in late June and endorsed Mohamed. Since just two candidates are vying for this Port seat, both automatically advance to the general election and the race isn’t on the primary ballot. Primary ballots should have arrived in your mailbox and must be postmarked August 3rd. No stamp needed as postage is included. For voter information or to register to vote, visit the State election website.

Below are Hamdi Mohamed’s questionnaire responses. 

The Port itself is set to meet its carbon reduction targets earlier than anticipated, but the region as a whole is stagnating. How can the Port do more to address stagnating emissions levels around the region? 

The Port of Seattle must be a leader in carbon reduction both regionally and nationally. I applaud the Port’s goal to become the greenest Port in America and I will use my position as Port Commissioner to make this goal a reality. However, the Port’s work toward a greener future cannot stop with its own activities if we are truly dedicated to meeting the scale of our environmental crisis. 

As Port Commissioner, I will utilize my strong connections with local, regional, state and federal leaders to push for climate action and carbon reduction measures. I will work in partnership with other governments to advance mutual climate goals and ensure that the areas we work in benefit from our actions, rather than face adverse environmental consequences. I am committed to expanding the South King County Fund Environmental Grants program to partner with local nonprofit organizations doing the direct work to reduce carbon. The work of a Port Commissioner does not stop at the Port; Commissioners must be advocates for our communities and stewards of our environment. As Commissioner, I will proudly partner with governments, nonprofits, and communities to meet and exceed carbon reduction targets. 

What strategies would you push at the Port of Seattle to develop more alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle trips for Port employees and visitors? 

As a major transportation hub, the Port has an obligation to maximize the accessibility of transportation and incentivize alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle trips. The Port must be a strong partner with Sound Transit to support the expansion of the Link light rail. There is still room for improvement to make the light rail connection to the terminal at SeaTac more accessible for people with disabilities. As Port Commissioner, I will promote partnership with Sound Transit to increase employee and traveler usage of the light rail while prioritizing investments in accessibility.  

SeaTac Airport has the potential to be a leader in bicycle-air travel. As Commissioner, I will promote and increase the accessibility of cycling. Making cycling to the airport convenient, particularly for Port employees, will help to offset the environmental impact of SeaTac. Investment in bike storage boxes rather than bike racks will help encourage cyclists to leave their bikes at the airport when they travel. The Port must partner with surrounding cities to increase bicycle mobility, particularly given how many Port employees live in neighboring cities. Investments in this infrastructure, incentivizing Port employees to ride to work, and celebrating cycling at the Port will help to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips.