Politics and Government

Mayor Bruce Harrell has pledged to complete labor negotiations with the Seattle Police Officers Guild before the end of the year. But facing a tough reelection fight, he might not be around to sign the deal, which challenger Katie Wilson may want to renegotiate anyway.

Nearly $200,000 in outside spending from a political action committee started by one Woodinville tech worker has upended local politics in the quiet suburb. The goal? Taking down a pro-growth council majority.

A 5-2 vote at the council puts a zoning rollback in Three Tree Point, Lake Burien, and Seahurst on the table for 2026, following months of advocacy by residents. This November's election will likely play a big role in the final policy outcome.

Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck's newly passed "Roots to Roofs" program is a 35-project pilot that lets nonprofit organizations and the Seattle Social Housing Developer tap into additional development capacity, particularly in areas with a history of past racial covenants.

The race for Seattle Mayor is heating up, with progressive challenger Katie Wilson securing new labor support and incumbent Bruce Harrell ramping up fundraising and attacks on his opponent. Harrell also called in an endorsement from a national Democratic Party leader via Pete Buttigieg.

In Mayor Bruce Harrell’s 2026 budget proposal unveiled Tuesday, the Seattle Police Department was the big winner, seeing a $34.5 million increase. The mayor would use a new 0.1% “public safety” sales tax increase and a business tax overhaul to close a $122 million deficit and fund new investments.

Last week, the Seattle School Board was scheduled to vote on a pilot program that would return police to Garfield High School, but delayed the vote to October 8. Critics have argued better ways exist to promote safety, and that a return of police could contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline and disparate outcomes for Black and brown students.

While SeaTac City Councilmember Peter Kwon came in first with nearly 28% of the vote in a six-way primary race to be District 5's next King County Councilmember, his campaign’s message has been high-level and light on specifics. In The Urbanist's interview with Kwon, a strong theme of tax-aversion emerged.