Politics and Government

Chief Rahr Fires Seattle Cop Who Struck and Killed Jaahnavi Kandula

On Monday, interim Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr fired SPD Officer Kevin Dave. Dave was driving 74 miles per hour in response to an overdose call almost two years ago when he killed graduate student Jaahnavi Kandula while she was in a crosswalk.

Seattle Council Bans Chemical Weapons and Other Brutal Crowd Control Tactics

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) repeatedly tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed crowds during the first two weeks of protests, but the Seattle City Council sought to close...

Move Seattle Initiative Brings Concerns About Levy Capacity

The Seattle City Council met on Tuesday for the first time to consider Mayor Ed Murray’s Move Seattle initiative—a nine-year, $930 million property tax...

State House Candidate Sherae Lascelles Is Our Guest Speaker at October 20th Urbanist Meetup

Please join us Tuesday, October 20th from 6:15 to 7:30pm for our monthly online meetup featuring Legislative District 43 candidate Sherae Lascelles, a true...
Quinn is a black man with glasses and wears a suit.

Longtime Tukwila Councilmember De’Sean Quinn Joins King County Council

A county employee for two decades, De'Sean Quinn brings experience working for Executives Ron Sims and Dow Constantine, as well as in leadership at King County Metro. He'll replace Dave Upthegrove, serving as King County Councilmember through November.
The glass towers of the Seattle skyline peaks over the shoulders of the group.

Apply to Join The Urbanist Election Committee

The Urbanist Elections Committee is seeking new members to join the committee to expand our geographic scope for the 2025 election cycle. If you live in an Eastside suburb, Tacoma, South Seattle, Shoreline, or Lynnwood and are interested in urbanism and politics, apply by March 8 to be considered. 
A photo of the Seattle City Hall with tall glass buildings illuminated at dusk in the background.

Lack of Clarity in Seattle City Code Harms Renters

Parallel to Governor Inslee’s housing stability bridge program and Mayor Durkan’s extension of Seattle’s eviction moratorium, the Seattle City Council passed a series of...
Mayor Durkan in an orange vest and SDOT hard hat at a West Seattle Bridge presser.

Will Electorate Blame Mayor Durkan for Four Years of Mismanagement?

Don't say we didn't warn you. The Urbanist has been highlighting the blunders of the Durkan administration from the campaign to year one to...