-Neighbors and friends,
Seattle is a progressive city, a compassionate city,
but it's not progressive, compassionate,
or even morally defensible to allow displaced residents
to live unhoused in dangerous and unsanitary conditions
in public spaces meant for the enjoyment of all,
or to allow young women to be sex-trafficked in public
at all hours, in all seasons, in what is still,
for many, a public health crisis.
We cannot simply tolerate a citywide opioid epidemic
with open-air drug markets and drug use fueling theft,
vandalism, home invasion, and other crimes,
while businesses are shuttered or driven out of the city
on the heels of renters and homeowners
fleeing unaffordable rents and astronomical property taxes.
It's a failure of public policy
to allow enforcement of the laws on our books
to fall by the wayside,
effectively throwing our hands in the air,
and giving up, decriminalizing whichever behaviors
we don't seem to have the ability to control.
I want to change all that.
I'm Justin Simmons,
and I'm a lifelong resident of what is now
Seattle's District 5, where I've been an active volunteer
for more than 20 years,
and am now raising my own family.
I was the first candidate to file in this race,
and I'm running because I love our city.
Our city is in crisis, and I have the skills,
track record, relationships, and energy needed to help.
My campaign priorities are public safety,
with a focus on behavioral health,
hate crimes, and gun violence,
homelessness, affordable housing for all --
including renters, seniors,
and other residents on fixed incomes --
protecting businesses, public spaces,
the environment, and the unique character of Seattle
and its neighborhoods,
and accessibility, transparency and accountability
from public servants and law enforcement.
You can read all about my qualifications and experience
in the printed voter's guide and on my website,
simmonsforseattle.com.
I am proud to be endorsed by the Washington state Attorney
General, King County Executive, King County Assessor, president
and past councilmembers, business and community leaders,
and the Metropolitan Democratic Club of Seattle.
I would be honored to have your vote.