Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The November election will bring big changes to the Seattle City Council, with at least four of the council’s nine members having already announced they won’t seek re-election.
Why it matters: The exodus of incumbents means most of the seven council positions on the ballot will be open seats, upping the potential for a change in the council’s political direction.
What they’re saying: “It’s guaranteed there’s going to be a big shift,” Seattle-based political consultant Michael Charles told Axios.
The big picture: Voters remain frustrated with issues such as crime and homelessness, he said, which could mean some of the same forces that ushered in a more moderate, business-friendly council in 2021 will carry over into 2023.
- Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, told Axios that Seattle voters are progressive, but “I also think they’re pragmatic — they want to see candidates who have a plan.”
Other dynamics are new — such as the recent layoffs of tech workers, which could affect how that large voting bloc views candidates and city policy, political consultant Crystal Fincher said in an interview.
- “A chunk of them are feeling vulnerability in a way they have not before,” she said.
What we’re watching: Expect a lot of money to pour into this year’s races, “because control of the council is at stake,” Fincher said.
Zoom in: Here’s a look at who’s running so far, based on public announcements and campaign finance filings with the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.
- Of note: Candidates still must formally file to run for office in May. You can find your council district using this tool.
District 1
Neighborhood: West Seattle and South Park
State of play: Incumbent Lisa Herbold has announced she isn’t running for re-election.
Candidates:
District 2
Neighborhood: Southeast Seattle and Georgetown
State of play: Incumbent Tammy Morales’ seat is up for re-election.
Challengers:
District 3
Neighborhood: Central Seattle, including Capitol Hill
State of play: Incumbent Kshama Sawant said she isn’t running for re-election.
Candidates:
District 4
Neighborhood: Northeast Seattle, including the University District and Wallingford
State of play: Incumbent Alex Pedersen says he isn’t running for re-election.
Candidates:
District 5
Neighborhood: North Seattle, including Lake City and Northgate
State of Play: Incumbent Debora Juarez has said she won’t run for re-election.
Candidates:
District 6
Neighborhood: Northwest Seattle, including Ballard, Phinney Ridge and Green Lake
State of Play: Incumbent Dan Strauss’s seat is up for re-election.
Challengers: None have announced or filed campaign paperwork yet.
District 7
Neighborhood: Downtown, Queen Anne and Magnolia
State of play: Incumbent Andrew Lewis has announced he will run for a second term.
Challengers: None have announced or filed campaign paperwork yet.
