♪♪
In this edition, you will hear from the candidates
who will appear on the ballot
for Seattle City Council Position 8.
This is a special election
to fill the seat of a councilmember
who left office before the end of her term.
The winner of the November 2024 special election
will be elected to a one-year term.
This position will appear on the ballot again in 2025.
-My name is Alexis Mercedes Rinck.
I spent my public policy career working on housing,
human services,
and the health of our communities.
I've gained a reputation
for bringing people together around solutions
and making them happen.
I got my master's degree at the Udub,
and since then, I've worked across 39 local cities
and with over 100 different organizations in my career.
I've championed agreements
with unanimous votes from city councils,
and I've led the development
of a King County-wide five-year plan
to address homelessness.
While I approach policy with data and measurable outcomes,
I'm equally informed by my personal experience.
My birth parents met in a gang when they were just teenagers,
and after my birth dad went to prison,
my birth mom lost custody of me.
Because of my grandparents,
I didn't have to land in the foster care system.
I got to grow up in a resourced community
and a proud union household,
and I was given the tools I needed to heal.
My family struggles mirror many of the challenges
we face in Seattle,
but we can break these cycles
with affordable and supportive housing,
safe and healthy communities,
and by ensuring that no child is limited
from reaching their full potential.
On council, I'll work collaboratively
to address Seattle's challenges with proven solutions
and personal understanding.
We need public safety targeted at reducing crime and harm,
a coordinated and scaled law enforcement
and alternative response system,
gun violence prevention, and accountability
to truly make our community safer.
We need affordable housing at every level
so seniors, working families, and renters like myself
can remain in the city and build generational wealth.
We need climate action without compromise,
including transit and electrification,
more sidewalks, and green infrastructure.
But most importantly, we need progressive revenue solutions
to balance our growing budget deficit
and protect the necessary investments
that support our communities.
I'm so excited about this opportunity
to ensure our city is safe, affordable,
and leading the way to a better future,
and I'm proudly endorsed by labor unions,
democratic groups across the city, and trusted leaders.
Please learn more at alexisforseattle.com.
Thank you.
-Hello, I'm Tanya Woo
and I'm running to be your City Council member.
For generations,
my family has lived, worked, and served
in all areas of Seattle.
I grew up in Beacon Hill,
worked at my family business
in the Chinatown International District,
and now live in Rainier Valley.
My story is the story of Seattle.
My deep roots here drive my passion
to make Seattle a city where everyone can thrive.
This election is about choosing a new path forward.
Do we continue with policies
that have left our communities vulnerable,
or do we embrace innovative, compassionate,
and effective solutions?
My commitment to you is clear.
I will fight for a safer, more inclusive Seattle
where every voice is heard
and every resident has the opportunity to succeed.
Public safety is my priority
and it requires balance and innovation.
Every week, I work alongside first responders
and my housed and unhoused neighbors,
practicing a model of alternative policing
that puts community first.
This hands-on experience shapes my vision
for a city that doesn't just respond to crisis,
but actively prevents them
through thoughtful, forward-thinking strategies.
I've led efforts to expand our community safety net
by supporting police where they're needed,
while investing in alternatives like the CARE Team
and proven diversion programs like LEAD.
These initiatives work by addressing root causes.
Housing affordability is another cornerstone of my campaign.
As the only candidate who has built affordable housing,
I've seen firsthand the impact
that safe, accessible housing can have on a community.
I know we can create more affordable housing options
for everyone, from seniors to working families,
so that we can keep our diverse communities together
and allow every Seattleite to build a future.
Over the past year, I've spoken to thousands of people
and Seattle is at a crossroads.
We must move forward with bold leadership.
I'm Tanya Woo and I would be honored to have your vote.