Urbanist Podcast: Final Push in Olympia and Candidate Launch Updates
The Urbanist's Ryan Packer, Amy Sundberg, and Doug Trumm discussed recent news out of Olympia, candidate campaign rollouts, and King County transportation funding woes.
Politics
Washington Legislature Toys with Age Verification for Big Tech
Lawmakers are aiming to add guardrails to the most addictive social media sites when it comes to usage by kids. But privacy and civil rights advocates are warning of significant unintended consequences.
Bellevue Adds Hurdles to Old Main Redevelopment to Preserve ‘Cultural Value’
The new regulations, which will stay in place for at least six months, require either façade preservation for older buildings or new façades that match them. Though the goal is to maintain Main Street’s pedestrian friendly atmosphere, little remains in place to prevent small business displacement fr
Educator Julie Kang Enters Fray in D5 Seattle Council Race
Julie Kang is running for the open seat in Seattle City Council’s District 5 this year, and is the first candidate in the race to qualify for democracy vouchers. An educator and bank founder, Kang espoused a mix of centrist and progressive views in her interview with The Urbanist.
Wilson Promotes Sam Steele to Lead Seattle Permitting Department
Mayor Katie Wilson is promoting inspections director Sam Steele to interim director of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, she announced Tuesday. Steele has pledged to streamline processes to make it easier to build housing and emergency shelter.
Washington State Reacts to Feared ICE Invasion, Constitutional Crisis
Elected officials in Washington state are being forced to prepare for the possibility of a similar ICE invasion as Minneapolis has endured. Immigrant and civil rights advocates are worried steps to prepare have been insufficient. Officials say they are prepping further actions.
Sound Transit Board Removes Key Committee Chair Ahead of Pivotal Year
Claudia Balducci, the second longest serving member of the Sound Transit board, will no longer be a member of the committee she’s lead since 2018. The swap out comes just as the board faces critical decisions around the future of the Sound Transit 3 expansion plan, work that will largely be hashed o
Sound Transit Seeks Hail Mary Financial Tool to Complete ST3 Buildout
With creative tools needed to get the entire Sound Transit 3 network across the finish line as planned, Sound Transit is turning to the idea of 75-year bonds. If the Washington State Legislature OKs the concept, the move would mean extending debt to finance light rail projects into the next century.
State Lawmakers Move to Regulate License Plate Readers, Fearing ICE Misuse
The Washington State Legislature is considering a bill regulating the use of automatic license plate readers, responding to the revelation that ICE and other federal agents have accessed data for mass deportation purposes. Out-of-state law enforcement have also accessed data to hunt women pursuing a
Pierce County’s Tight Budget Forces Tough Choices
Pierce County is facing financial challenges that are straining budgets, leading to health department layoffs and lagging transit service levels. Federal chaos could make the problem worse in years ahead.
Washington House Approves Neighborhood Cafe Bill in Early Floor Vote
House Bill 1175 requires local governments to allow corner stores and cafes, but gives them wide latitude to regulate them. A nearly unanimous floor vote early in session signals momentum for the bill, which is less prescriptive than a similar bill that died in the Washington Senate in 2024.
Climate Advocate Nilu Jenks Announces D5 Seattle Council Campaign
Lake City activist Nilu Jenks is the first to jump in the race for Seattle City Council’s District 5. The special election could determine control of the council next year. The first-generation Iranian-American is stressing the need to protect immigrants and the environment, as Trump attacks both.
Toshiko Hasegawa Jumps in King County Council District 2 Race
Touting a focus on social housing, transit-oriented development, and lidding I-5, Hasegawa is the second candidate to announce in the race to fill Girmay Zahilay’s former King County Council seat.
2026: The Year the Washington Legislature Catches Its Breath on Housing
With middle housing, transit-oriented development, and parking reform all checked off the list, the Washington legislature’s 2026 session looks to be more sedate when it comes to housing. But there are still some impactful reforms on deck tackling some of the smaller issues inhibiting housing produc
One Week In, Katie Wilson Charts the Path Ahead
The Urbanist recently sat down with Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson to get the latest on initiatives she has cooking now that her team is in office. We touched on emergency housing, bus lanes, World Cup preparations, Sound Transit, culture change at the police department, and more.
UW Report: Immigration Agents Still Accessing WA Driver Data
The University of Washington Center for Human Rights reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is still accessing state license data to aid mass deportation, despite state efforts to limit such access. Advocates are proposing several interventions to clamp down on such data breache
Urbanist Podcast: New Year, New Mayor, New Budget
Ryan Packer, Amy Sundberg, and Doug Trumm kick off the new year by breaking down Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s inauguration and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s budget proposal, which included deep cuts to public education, while also queuing up a millionaires income tax for 2029.
Dionne Foster Takes Office, Aiming to Tackle Housing Issues
Seattle City Councilmember Dionne Foster took office Tuesday, echoing Mayor Katie Wilson’s call for “bread and roses” to tackle the city’s affordability crisis while strengthening the social and cultural fabric.
Erika Evans Takes City Attorney Oath, SPOG Goes on Attack
On Monday, Erika Evans was sworn in as the first Black Seattle City Attorney, following a resounding victory over Republican incumbent Ann Davison. The Seattle police guild was already on the attack, seeking to brand her as soft on crime.
Joy Hollingsworth Takes Helm in Seattle Council Shakeup
District 3 Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth will head the Seattle City Council following a progressive wave election, and will be tasked with managing several distinct factions. Her first task was navigating committee assignments, where comity was prioritized over policymaking priorities.
Ferguson’s 2026 Budget Queues Steep Cuts, Pushes Millionaires Tax to 2029
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is again focused on cuts to close a state budget shortfall, estimated at $2.3 billion for 2026. While he did signal support for an income tax on millionaires, his proposal would not begin collecting revenue until 2029. In the meantime, students at public schools and
Katie Wilson Takes Office as Seattle’s Unabashed Urbanist Mayor
In remarks after being sworn in as Seattle’s 58th mayor, Katie Wilson painted a vision of improving the daily lives of residents that was explicitly urbanist: focused around livability and ensuring that no one gets pushed out of the city.
Ferguson Proposes ‘Unprecedented Sweep’ of Climate Dollars to Balance State Budget
Over $500 million in funding that likely would have been allocated to sustainable transportation and clean energy programs will instead be used to backfill an existing tax credit under Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s budget package. The proposal is drawing fire from climate advocacy groups.
King County Council Appoints Top Zahilay Aide to Vacant Council Seat
Rhonda Lewis, who served as King County’s chief of operations before becoming Zahilay’s chief of staff, has pledged to serve as a caretaker and not run for election next fall.
Rebecca Saldaña Announces Run for Girmay Zahilay’s Former County Council Seat
State Senator Rebecca Saldaña announced a bid for the open King County Council District 2 seat in the 2026 election, positioning herself in the progressive lane and pledging to fight back against Trump attacks and defend the working class.
Op-Ed: Looking Back at the Movement That Elected Katie Wilson
John Burbank looks back to a series of progressive victories that paved the way for the most significant mayoral victory in Seattle over the past 100 years, with Katie Wilson about to take office.
Mayor Scrambles to Protect ‘Character’ of Old Bellevue with Emergency Controls
Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson’s request would bring an emergency action to require facade preservation along Main Street as a condition of future development, while the city considers permanent regulations. While there was majority support for retaining the character of the area, some councilmembers
Eddie Lin Becomes Seattle’s Newest Councilmember
Eddie Lin took office Tuesday as Seattle’s newest city councilmember, pledging action to address the city’s affordability, homelessness, and community safety crises. Lin is fresh off a dominant performance in the recent election, winning 68% of the vote in District 2.
Katie Wilson’s Path to Election Victory, Precinct by Precinct
Precinct-level results maps show that Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson’s path to victory ran through Capitol Hill, the Central District, and the Rainier Valley, where she ran up her vote share.
Urbanist Podcast Election Extravaganza: Puget Sound Progressives Prevail
The Urbanist Podcast is back after a hiatus, just in time to break down 2025 election results. In this episode, Urbanist publisher Doug Trumm and reporter Amy Sundberg discuss what happened in Seattle, with progressive mayoral challenger Katie Wilson’s dramatic victory, and other interesting races a
Katie Wilson Charts New Course on Public Safety and Homelessness
Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson believes she’ll be judged primarily by how she can improve outcomes on homelessness and public safety. In an interview with The Urbanist, Wilson laid out what she aims to do to set a new course, striving for a more holistic and effective response.
Girmay Zahilay Takes Office as King County Executive, Pledging to be ‘Regional Convener’
Taking office as the first new Executive that King County has elected since 2009, Zahilay pledged to bring groups together to tackle the county’s problems. He’s also carrying out a major shakeup in County government, ousting many longtime staffers.
Sammamish Hits Pause on Town Center Planning after Backlash Election
Following an intense debate over the future of Sammamish’s fledgling Town Center area in this month’s elections, three growth skeptics are set to join the city council. Now the question is just how dramatically things get scaled back in 2026.
Katie Wilson’s Transition Team Features Mix of Advocates and Insiders
Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson announced her transition leadership team earlier this week, which features a mix of advocates and insiders. Wilson has reiterated a bold progressive agenda, but a pragmatic approach to achieve it.
Kirkland Voters Maintain the City’s Course, Rejecting Anti-Growth Push
Despite significant spending to steer the Kirkland City Council toward a more slow growth direction, voters elected progressives in three out of four races. In the end, the election seemed to show most Kirkland residents are happy with the city’s current direction.
Katie Wilson to Inherit Seattle’s Budget Woes
Katie Wilson may have won the mayoral election, but her challenges are just beginning. Outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell is leaving a budget mess behind him.
The ‘Structural Change’ About to Make Homebuilding More Expensive in Seattle
As Seattle enters an era where fewer builders are lining up to build office towers and residential skyscrapers, the city’s permit department is scrambling to catch up. Despite last-minute concerns raised Monday around a 18% permit fee increase, that change is poised to take effect next year.
Harrell Concedes to Wilson, Ushering in a New Era in Seattle
On Thursday, Mayor Bruce Harrell conceded the election to progressive challenger Katie Wilson, surrounded by supporters in the lobby of Seattle City Hall. His speech vacillated between a conciliatory tone that extended an olive branch to his successor and a few defiant moments when he seemed to pick
Wilson Defeats Harrell
Katie Wilson will be Seattle’s next Mayor. The progressive challenger expanded her lead over current Mayor Bruce Harrell to nearly 2,000 votes in Wednesday’s count, and The Urbanist and other local outlets have called the race for Wilson.
After Victory, Zahilay Announces County Executive Transition Team
In announcing his 100-person transition team, King County Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay put housing issues front-and-center. He faces a short runway as the first new leader elected at the county level since 2009, and will take office on November 25.
Katie Wilson Pulls Away from Harrell, Leads by 1,346 Votes
In Tuesday’s drop, Urbanist-endorsed progressive challenger Katie Wilson expanded her narrow lead over Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. She now leads by 1,346 votes or 0.49%. With very few ballots remaining, Wilson is on the cusp of avoiding a machine recount.
Katie Wilson Takes 91-Vote Lead in Dramatic Seattle Mayor Race
Progressive challenger Katie Wilson now leads incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell by a razor-thin 91-vote margin after another batch of votes were counted Monday. Wilson appears well-positioned to pull off a dramatic comeback from a deficit of more than 11,000 votes in early results.
Evans Trounces Republican Seattle City Attorney, Shares Plans for Transition
Seattle City Attorney-elect Erika Evans chatted with The Urbanist about what’s next after her resounding victory in the November election, unseating Seattle’s lone Republican office-holder.
Op-Ed: Ferguson Must Back ‘Stand Up to Trump’ Rhetoric with Funding
The Trump administration is gutting health care, child care, and food stamps. John Burbank argues Governor Bob Ferguson should immediately call a special session of the Washington State Legislature to fund services that the federal government has cut by taxing the corporations and billionaires bankr
Wilson Pulls Within Two Points of Harrell in Friday Count
Urbanist-endorsed progressive challenger Katie Wilson gained significantly on incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell in Friday’s count, pulling within two points, with a 4,300-vote gap to close. With around 50,000 votes remaining to be counted, her campaign says she’s on course to pass him and win.
Pro-Housing Candidates Make Gains All Around Puget Sound
On the whole, there were bright spots for urbanist candidates all around the region, with major gains seen in Burien, Redmond, and Tacoma. There was also some backsliding in places like Sammamish and Bainbridge Island.
Harrell Vows to Block ICE Overreach, but Plan Lacks Teeth
Mayor Bruce Harrell recently released two executive orders seeking to respond to President Donald Trump’s aggressive moves to increase local immigration enforcement and illegally send in the National Guard. However, his plan is light on details and lacks leverage to get federal cooperation. Meanwhil
Wilson Trails in Early Results, Seattle Mayor’s Race on Nailbiter Course
Challenger Katie Wilson trailed Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell by seven points on election night, but progressives have closed such margins in the past. A comeback in late returns could be in the cards, based on Wilson’s performance in the August primary.
In Last Stand, Harrell Intensifies Negative Attacks on Wilson
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has increasingly staked his reelection bid on going negative on challenger Katie Wilson. But the desperate attacks have blowback potential. Here’s why.
Op-Ed: Opioid Treatment Nurse Shares Why They Support Katie Wilson
An opioid treatment nurse shares why they support Katie Wilson for Seattle Mayor and trust her to address interlinked crises around housing, homelessness, and opiate addiction.
Six Local Elections Outside Seattle That Could Be Bellwethers
From Bremerton to Issaquah and Tacoma, key races are on the ballot around the region that loom large for urbanist priorities. The outcome could determine where things are headed.
Seattle Budget Tweaks Would Add Transit Security Czar, Rescue Waterfront Streetcars
Focused on transit and street upgrades, budget amendments this week will be the subject of behind-the-scenes wrangling as Budget Committee Chair Dan Strauss assembles an initial balancing package for the council to debate next week.
Kirkland Council Elections Could Tip City in Reactionary Direction
In four different races, Kirkland voters face a choice between pro-growth candidates interested in fostering additional types of housing throughout the city, and candidates looking for the city to be way less aggressive in fighting the region’s affordable housing crisis.
Progressives Rally Behind Katie Wilson in Home Stretch to Mayoral Election
“It’s never been more important to have a movement mayor,” Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson told supporters Sunday. Multiple speakers portrayed Wilson as a bottom-up, people-powered coalition-builder, who stands in sharp contrast to incumbent Bruce Harrell, who they see as a top-down establish
Wilson Maintains Lead over Harrell, Two New Polls Indicate
Progressive challenger Katie Wilson continues to have the edge in the highly competitive Seattle mayoral race, despite a large fundraising advantage for corporate-backed incumbent Bruce Harrell. Two polls released this week indicate that Wilson still holds a lead, after winning the primary election
Lin: Why I’m Proud to Earn the Working Families Party’s Endorsement
Eddie Lin announced the endorsement of the Washington Working Families Party and shared how the group helped him hone his stance on social housing.
Katie Wilson Rallies Pike Place Market Workers
In a campaign event last week, Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson harkened back to her younger street-musician days when she used to busk at Pike Place Market. Wilson told a gathering of Market workers and community members that she understood their struggles; she has lived them, and Seattle’s m
Harrell’s Office Buries Records Pertaining to Investigation into Chief of Staff
Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office appears to have deleted or is withholding a contract used to make a crucial legal decision regarding the Mayor’s newly-minted Chief of Staff, Andrew Myerberg. Harrell’s office appears to be violating the terms of the settlement agreement reached with the Seattle Times in
2025 General Election Endorsements
The Urbanist Elections Committee is excited to announce our 2025 general election endorsements, which span the region from Tacoma to Everett. Be sure to vote by November 4.
Pro-Housing Kirkland Council Candidates Discuss Affordability, Opponents Skip Forum
At an October 8th forum, urbanist-backed Kirkland City Council candidates discussed housing solutions, but none of their opponents showed, clearly ceding housing leadership in the four races. Here’s a recap of the solutions candidates laid out.
Op-Ed: Why Seattle’s Housing Future Depends on You
The Urbanist and Tech4Housing are hosting a rally and mega-canvass Sunday in Columbia City for Seattle City Council candidates Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Dionne Foster, and Eddie Lin, City Attorney candidate Erika Evans, and mayoral candidate Katie Wilson. Join us to help put the urbanist slate over the
Sunday Video: Harrell and Wilson Square Off in KOMO Mayoral Debate
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and progressive challenger Katie Wilson have debated many times over the course of the general election, and one of the most recent was at Seattle University and co-sponsored by KOMO. Seeking to make up ground after finishing a distant second in the primary, Harrell continued to
Seattle Poised to Overhaul MFTE Housing Affordability Program, Despite Tenant Concerns
The Seattle City Council is set to greenlight a new iteration of the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program with higher allowed rents and rent hikes. The program trades a property tax break for setting aside a quarter of the units with lower rents, but some advocates say the new rent structure is
Buried Report Throws Cold Water on Zahilay’s Billion-Dollar Housing Bond Proposal
The idea of using King County’s uptapped bonding capacity to unlock dollars for affordable housing seemed like a promising new area for exploration. But a report dropped on the county council’s doorstep this summer outlined some major obstacles and the need for a new dedicated revenue source to back
Sales Tax Hike Would Fund Civilian Responder Expansion, Barring SPOG Obstruction
Mayor Bruce Harrell has proposed a 0.1% sales tax hike for public safety investments, including doubling the size of the civilian CARE department. However, CARE’s future rests on cooperation from the Seattle Police Officers Guild, which has sought to limit the fledgling agency in the past.
Harrell Pledges Police Contract by Year End – Adding Election Wrinkle
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.
Cash Wave Seeks to Tilt Woodinville Elections Against Housing Growth
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.
Burien Eyes Rolling Back Zoning Changes in Response to Homeowner Pressure
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.
Katie Wilson Earns MLK Labor Endorsement, Harrell Touts Buttigieg Nod
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.
Harrell Budget Doubles Down on Police Spending
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.
Seattle School Board Considers Returning Police to Garfield High
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
King County Council Frontrunner Peter Kwon Averse to Taxes, Bold Plans
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 e
Steffanie Fain Makes Pragmatic Moderate Pitch for King County Council D5
The Urbanist sat down with Steffanie Fain, who is running for King County Council’s District 5 seat and facing off with SeaTac City Councilmember Peter Kwon. Both position themselves as tax-averse fiscal hawks, but Fain expressed marginally more openness towards raising new revenue to tackle the num
Hundreds Turn Out for Last Seattle Growth Plan Hearing
More than 200 testifiers weighed in on the Comprehensive Plan and dozens of proposed amendments ahead of planned votes this week. The topics of neighborhood centers, tree retention, and social housing dominated the hourslong hearing.
Sunday Video: Harrell and Wilson Spar in First Post-Primary Mayoral Debate
Seeking to fend off progressive challenger Katie Wilson, Mayor Bruce Harrell took a combative tone in the first debate of the general election season, recently aired by Seattle Channel’s City Inside Out. Harrell frequently attacked and spoke over his opponent, hoping to land a punch that could shake
Op-Ed: Will Ethics Commission Hold Harrell Accountable for Campaigning with Public Resources?
Facing a tough election battle, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has been ramping up his pace of press events and social media posts. A former McGinn staffer shares how ethics officials warned McGinn’s office against such activity, which could constitute a misuse of public resources for campaign purposes
Harrell Announces Reparations Fund, Ramps Up Attacks on Wilson
On Wednesday, Mayor Bruce Harrell rolled out a proposal for an $80 million “anti-gentrification and reparations fund,” and trumpeted $350 million in housing investments he aims to make in 2026. He also ramped up attacks on challenger Katie Wilson and other political opponents, saying “how dare anyon
Op-Ed: Shilpa Prem Is the Best Choice for Kirkland Council
Kirkland Councilmember Penny Sweet makes the case for why Shilpa Prem should be her successor on Council. The Urbanist Elections Committee agreed and endorsed Prem, too.
Federal Judge Ends Consent Decree Oversight of Seattle Police Department
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge James Robart granted the motion to terminate Seattle’s consent decree, ending a saga of federal police oversight that began 15 years ago. Community safety advocates say issues remain at the Seattle Police Department and more reforms are needed.
Harrell Stumps for West Seattle, Ballard Light Rail, Facing Financial Headwinds
A press event in Ballard Tuesday was intended to bolster support for getting Seattle’s next two light rail lines across the finish line. But rhetoric won’t change the dynamics on the Sound Transit board, which feature suburban leaders just as dug in to prioritize the spine from Tacoma to Everett.
King County Restructures School Impact Fees to Comply with State Law
King County is capping school impact fees on multifamily projects, hoping to lessen the burden on homebuilders. The move sparked a debate on how to help overcapacity school districts while avoid undue burdens on builders.
Op-Ed: How Bellingham Can Solve Its Housing Crisis
Bellingham is ranked the fourth most unaffordable housing market in the nation, but it doesn’t have to be this way. The city must embrace pro-housing policies: easing zoning restrictions, cutting red tape, and investing in mixed-income development, writes Bellingham City Council candidate Andrew Red
Harrell Issues Conditional Support Letter for County’s Capitol Hill Crisis Center
Last week, Mayor Bruce Harrell cleared a hurdle standing in the way of King County’s plan to build a crisis care center in Seattle, as he issued a letter of conditional support, outlining an acceptable launch plan from his perspective. The County now must work to meet his terms to open the Capitol H
Progressives Well-Positioned for Burien Council Takeover
The progressives running for the four Burien City Council seats up this year have the upper hand based on primary results. Sam Méndez, Hugo Garcia, Sarah Moore, and Rocco DeVito will have to close the deal in November to flip the council.
Op-Ed: Tech Workers Must Challenge the Political Power of Their Bosses
Tech workers like me don’t enjoy being a bargaining chip to protect our CEO’s bottom line. And we know better than anyone else that their claims are false: corporate giants can afford higher taxes.
Urbanist-Backed Katie Wilson Opens Up Nearly 10 Point Lead over Harrell
Friday’s ballot count was very friendly to Seattle progressives, with mayoral challenger Katie Wilson exceeding the 50% mark with the boost. The election dynamics favor a progressive wave. Here’s why.
Stoked for ‘Hot Bike Summer’? Thank a Former Mayor and Council
Five major bike safety projects are all opening within a few months of each other, filling in critical gaps in Seattle’s network. But most of the credit for ensuring that Hot Bike Summer happened in the first place goes to previous city leaders.
Progressives Win Seattle Primaries, Data Points Them as Favorites in General
After losing three consecutive mayoral races and six of nine Council seats in two years, Seattle progressives sealed their best Primary election in over a decade. Across the board, Seattle progressives head into November as favorites.
Katie Wilson Leads Bruce Harrell in Early Primary Election Results
Urbanist-endorsed progressive challenger Katie Wilson is off to a fast start in her bid to unseat Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, leading by nearly 1,300 votes on primary election night. Urbanist-endorsed Seattle City Council candidates Dionne Foster, Alexis Mercedes, and Eddie Lin have also taken comm
Seattle Council Greenlights Rinck’s B&O Tax Overhaul
On Monday, the City Council voted unanimously to send the Seattle Shield Initiative to voters this November. Sponsored by Alexis Mercedes Rinck, the proposal shifts B&O tax burden away from small businesses and toward larger ones, raising an estimated $81 million annually to shore up the City budget
Harrell Pushes to Expand Recently Passed Surveillance Camera Pilot Program
Mayor Bruce Harrell is proposing to expand his three-month-old surveillance pilot program by installing more police cameras and funneling data from hundreds of traffic management cameras into the Seattle Police Department’s real-time crime center. The move has draw criticism from civil liberties gro
Michael Westgaard Centers Renton Council Bid on Upgrading Transit
Michael Westgaard, a labor organizer with Raise the Wage Renton, is challenging incumbent Councilmember James Alberson, Jr. for Renton City Council’s Position 1 seat. Transit emerges as a central plank of his platform in this interview with The Urbanist.
Tacoma Faces Pivotal Moment in Crowded Primary Election
Tacoma faces a pivotal August 5 primary in which voters will narrow field for mayor and city council seats. Housing, gun violence, and pedestrian safety have emerged as pressing issues in the Grit City.
Op-Ed: Renew Democracy Vouchers, Vote Yes on Seattle Prop 1
It is vital that Seattleites vote yes on Proposition 1 in the August 5 primary to renew the democracy voucher program for another 10 years. Here’s Jazmine Smith’s case for why.
Poll Shows Harrell Is Vulnerable, Wilson Rolls Out Labor Support
Northwest Progressive Institute has released a new poll showing razor close races for Seattle Mayor and City Attorney. Incumbents Bruce Harrell and Ann Davison are both well below the 50% mark, pointing to vulnerability. Meanwhile, progressive mayoral challenger Katie Wilson is rolling out big endor
Seattle Council Appoints Debora Juarez to Fill District 5 Vacancy
Juarez, who represented District 5 from 2016 to 2023, will immediately become one of the most experienced members of the council. But she pledged to defer to former Councilmember Cathy Moore when it comes to the city’s growth plan, a move that likely worries housing advocates.
Seattle, King County Brace for Impact of Coming Federal Funding Earthquake
At the city and the county level, local leaders are preparing for the impacts of the new federal reconciliation bill, described as “devastating.” Those impacts will be felt everywhere from hospitals to food banks.
Nelson, Saka Boycott Housing Committee, Blocking Seattle Renters Commission Appointments
Council President Sara Nelson and Councilmember Rob Saka unexpectedly skipped a housing committee meeting Wednesday, holding up 14 appointments to the shorthanded Seattle Renters Commission. Councilmember Alexis Rinck sharply criticized the “disrespectful” move, as did several nominees.
Campaign Volunteer Training Sessions Headline The Urbanist’s August Events
Join The Urbanist for a Campaign Volunteer Training Session to support our endorsed candidates. We have two dates in August: one in Seattle and one in Redmond.
Seattle Council Targets Nuisance Properties, Graffiti, and Safety-Themed Sales Tax Bump
Last Tuesday, the Seattle City Council voted 7-1 to pass changes to the city’s 16-year-old nuisance property ordinance that will expand the powers of the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to declare a business or residence a “chronic nuisance.” As Council ramps up criminalization and weighs funding m