This week’s local elections sent a message that it’s time for a dramatic shift in Seattle politics. With the election of candidates like Bruce Harrell for mayor, Sara Nelson for Seattle City Council and the likely election of Ann Davison to serve as City Attorney, voters made clear that their patience has run out. They want to see meaningful action on issues like homelessness, public safety and downtown recovery. They are tired of the divisive politics, the virtue signaling and inaction.
These incoming officials will face many challenges, but they are already way ahead of current elected officials in their plans to provide housing to the homeless, advocate for victims of crime and lower barriers to starting a business and keeping it open. They believe that police play a critical role in keeping us safe and our incoming mayor plans to hire officers to begin making up for the more than 300 who’ve left over the last eighteen months.
We encourage current council members to serve as partners to these incoming officials. Voters want action, not gridlock or the “Seattle Process” that can kill promising ideas. They want accountability and current members should remember they are up in the next election. This is an opportunity for a fresh start and to do big things that will make Seattle a safe and thriving city once again.
To quote incoming mayor Bruce Harrell, “we’re going to have a new conversation on homelessness, a new conversation on education, on transportation, on climate change. A new conversation because it’s going to be rooted in love we have for each other and the love we have for the city.”
