-Hi.
I'm Seattle City Councilmember Andrew Lewis.
As a recent parent,
I am more determined than ever to build a Seattle
we can be proud to pass on to the next generation.
In my first term, I brought together
unlikely coalitions to deliver results,
and I'll continue that work if reelected.
On public safety, in my first term,
I increased our park ranger program
from two to 28 rangers,
fully funded the police hiring budget each year,
passed an ordinance protecting firefighters from harassment
in the line of duty, and worked with Mayor Harrell
to create a civilian behavioral health response
in lieu of police involvement.
If reelected, I'll increase these alternative responses,
continue the shared commitment of the Council and Mayor
to recruit and retain police, and support community programs
proven to reduce repeated criminal behavior.
On housing and homelessness,
we need to get people out of encampments,
and into stable housing immediately.
Working with Mayor Harrell, my office helped create
the Unified Care Team -- a one-stop,
no-excuses shop to navigate people experiencing homelessness
into shelter, and resolve encampments.
And it's reduced encampments by 42%.
But much work remains.
Over the next four years,
I'll increase enhanced shelter options like tiny houses,
so people experiencing homelessness
have a stable shelter,
rather than being displaced to another encampment.
I'll also work with city partners to build
and acquire social and nonprofit housing,
so more people can afford to live in our community.
On climate change, we are running out of time.
Seattle must confront the emergency with housing planning
that emphasizes dense, walkable communities,
electrification of buildings, and safe,
reliable public transportation.
I'm proud to have been endorsed
by the Martin Luther King County Labor Council,
the 36th District Democrats, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal,
former Labor Secretary Robert Reich,
Attorney General Bob Ferguson,
County Executive Dow Constantine,
and Downtown Seattle Association C.E.O.
Jon Scholes, among many others.
And I ask for your support, as well.
Thank you so much for your consideration.