Seattle City Council.
The Seattle City Council
is the legislative branch of government.
Members set the city's direction by enacting ordinances
and passing resolutions.
The council authorizes expenditures,
adopts regulations, levies taxes,
controls the finances, and property of the city
and performs many related legislative tasks.
Of the nine city council positions,
two -- position eight and position nine -- are at large,
representing the entire city for a term of four years.
Positions one through seven each represent
different districts of the city.
Only the two at large council positions
are up for election this year.
The remaining seven district council positions
will be on the ballot in 2023.
All voters in Seattle can vote in both
of the at large city council races.
♪♪
In the last year,
Seattle has had a reckoning
with racial inequality,
a battle with a devastating pandemic,
a homelessness state of emergency,
and a continued climate catastrophe.
The question before Seattle voters
is straightforward.
Will we continue to rely on policies of the past,
many of which
have brought us to this point,
or is it time for a fresh perspective
rooted in community care?
My name is Nikkita Oliver.
I use they/them pronouns.
I am running for Seattle City Council
citywide Position 9.
I'm a community organizer,
executive director, artist,
adjunct professor
at Seattle University School of Law,
and an attorney who has supported clients
through school exclusion, eviction,
and anti-discrimination cases.
When elected, I will serve
with the conviction
that we need solutions now
that are commensurate with the crises
we are facing and an alignment
with the vision of the city we strive to be.
A vote for the Nikkita For Nine campaign
is a vote for a city
that embodies racial and economic justice,
a city with labor protections,
prevailing wages, and healthcare for all,
a city that enacts progressive revenue
to build housing
and meet the basic needs of our residents,
a city that takes bold action
to address the climate crisis,
working towards free transit
and reforming zoning codes
that restrict our supply of affordable housing
and further perpetuate racist,
exclusionary zoning patterns.
Our campaign has received more democracy vouchers
than any city council candidate
because we have built community power
from the ground up
from the south end to North Seattle,
among renters and vulnerable homeowners,
seniors at risk of displacement,
and young people alike.
We've been endorsed by the MLK Labor Council,
The Urbanist, The Stranger,
Seattle Democratic Socialists of America,
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal,
Seattle City Councilmembers
Morales and Mosqueda,
former Councilmember Mike O'Brien,
county Councilmember Zahilay,
and former Councilmember Larry Gossett,
Washington state Rep.
Kirsten Harris-Talley,
and state Sen. Rebecca Saldaña.
Together we will build the city
we say we are,
a city where all are healthy and thriving.
Seattle, we've got to talk.
We live in a gorgeous city,
but unfortunately, our elected leaders
are failing our most vulnerable.
We see it when
we walk through our neighborhoods,
in our parks, and in our downtown streets.
On critical issues like homelessness
and public safety,
city council is making big promises
but delivering few, if any,
measurable results.
It's time for a change,
and I bring the right experience
to make that change happen.
As a former council aide,
I helped pass landmark legislation
to build affordable housing,
increase transit,
and tackled climate change.
As co-founder of Fremont Brewing,
I created a neighborhood business
that's known for taking care of its workers
and giving back to the community.
As your council member,
I'll be a pragmatic progressive,
someone with a plan to get things done,
providing housing for our most vulnerable
while restoring our parks and playgrounds.
And I'll be responsive,
accountable, and transparent.
I have to be blunt with you.
There's a big contrast in this race.
My opponent says that abolishing the police
is the first step in public safety.
I think that's irresponsible.
I strongly support
comprehensive police reform,
but I believe that when you call 911,
you should be able to count on a fast,
effective, and fair response.
That balanced approach has earned me
the support of police reform leaders
like Victoria Beach,
chair of the African American
Community Advisory Council,
and Rev. Harriett Walden,
founder of Mothers for Police Accountability.
I'm also honored to be endorsed
by The Seattle Times,
the Seattle Fire Fighters,
laborers, and Iron Workers unions,
and many more.
I'm in this to solve problems
and rebuild the city we love.
There is hope.
And together we can make Seattle
a place that keeps its promises
to those who need it most.
I'm Sara Nelson, and I ask for your vote.
Learn more at saraforcitycouncil.com.