Politics and Government

Mayor Durkan with Ferris wheel and Seattle waterfront in background

Mayor’s Budget Proposes Adding 35 Cops, Skimps Elsewhere

Mayor Jenny Durkan released her budget today and sent Deputy Mayor Shefali Ranganathan to deliver brief remarks on the proposal to the Seattle City...
Downtown Seattle wall with City Hall sign on it and buildings in the background.

2022 Seattle Solidarity Budget Launches Today

With its official launch, the Seattle Solidarity Budget coalition seeks to influence decision making over the 2022 City of Seattle Budget. This weekend marks...
The Capitol building in Olympia is marble colored and include pillars and a dome in the classic style.

First Look at Proposed State Legislature Redistricting Maps

The four members of the Washington State Redistricting Committee submitted their first draft of maps this week. At this stage the four maps --...
Downtown Seattle wall with City Hall sign on it and buildings in the background.

Early Polling Indicates Tight Mayoral Race, Potent Lines of Attack Against Harrell

The Seattle Mayoral race is shaping up to be a tight one. Just two points separated Bruce Harrell and Lorena González in the primary,...
Lorena González wears a blue dress and has long brown hair.

The Urbanist’s 2021 General Endorsements

This election, Seattle can do much to advance progressive causes and elevate visionary leaders. The flip side of the coin is a possible retreat...

Meetup Video: September 2021 Meetup with Nikkita Oliver

https://youtu.be/z7X3jF0Ydp8 Seattle City Council candidate Nikkita Oliver joined The Urbanist for the September monthly meetup. During the meeting, Oliver discussed wide-ranging priorities that they would...
Police hold nightsticks in full riot gear behind a metal fence as protesters march by.

Council Rejects Pedersen’s Push for SPD Hiring and Retention Bonuses

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) has a $15 million budget surplus resulting from a high rate of officer attrition over the past two years....
A map shows the district boundaries: District 1 is West Seattle, District 2 is Southeast Seattle, District 3 is the Central Area, District 4 is Northeast Seattle, District 5 is North Seattle, District 6 is Northwest Seattle, and District 7 is Magnolia, Queen Anne and the downtown core.

2020 Census Includes Some Surprises for Seattle Council District Redistricting

Ahead of the 2023 election, the seven Seattle City Council districts are set to be redrawn using 2020 U.S. Census figures to rebalance each...