♪♪
-Welcome to the 2025 Seattle Video Voter's Guide,
your chance to hear directly from the candidates
on the August 5 primary ballot.
This is a vote by mail election.
Instead of going to a polling place,
ballots will be sent to all registered voters.
In this edition,
you'll hear from the candidates
who will appear on the primary election ballot
for Seattle Mayor, Seattle City Attorney, Seattle City Council,
Seattle Proposition 1, the Democracy Voucher Program,
renewal levy, and Seattle School Board Director.
All offices included in this guide are nonpartisan.
Each of the statements is up to two minutes long and unedited.
The candidates appear on your screen in the same order
as they will on the ballot.
First up, the office of Seattle Mayor.
The mayor of the City of Seattle
is the chief executive officer of the city
and is responsible for enforcing city and state law,
city contracts, and maintaining order.
The mayor appoints department heads,
subject to city council approval,
and manages the executive branch of city government.
The mayor has the authority to veto ordinances passed
by the city council,
and the council may override such vetoes
by a two-thirds majority vote.
The mayor is elected for a four-year term.
-Hi, Seattle,
I'm Joe Mallahan, and I'm running for Seattle Mayor.
Seattle is a city with strong values,
but city government has fallen behind
on acting on those values.
I'm running for mayor
because I believe we can live up to our ideals.
With a highly efficient city government,
Seattle can be a progressive model for the nation,
an alternative to the chaos and cruelty of MAGA politics.
We need to vastly improve public safety,
and we need civilian oversight of our police department.
I'll complete 50 patrol ride-alongs in my first year
to bring the police and the community back together.
We need to improve affordability
and radically reduce homelessness.
I'll cut red tape that delays building housing,
invest in projects that serve working families,
and leverage federal tax credits
to build affordable homes faster.
I'll expand mental health and addiction treatment
and deliver thousands more
emergency shelter beds in my first year.
You can't treat addiction and mental health
when people are living on the streets.
I've always been a change-maker.
I turned around two different midsize companies
by working shoulder to shoulder with frontline employees,
and at T-Mobile,
I transformed how we serve millions of low income customers
by listening to frontline employees
and driving bold innovation.
And as a community organizer,
I brought people together to solve big urban problems.
I care deeply about Seattle and the people who call it home.
We can tackle homelessness with compassion and accountability.
We can reform public safety with urgency and integrity.
And we can make Seattle affordable again.
We've got this in us, Seattle.
I'm Joe Mallahan and I would be honored to earn your vote.
-Hi.
My name is Ry Armstrong,
and I'm running to be the next mayor of Seattle.
Our city is stagnant and we aren't preparing for the future.
We need bold, visionary leaders who will fight tooth
and nail for all of Seattle.
I was born and raised here in the Northwest.
I'm a third generation union worker and elected labor leader,
and the co-executive director
of the nonprofit Sustainable Seattle,
where I manage a multimillion dollar budget
advancing the environmental justice movement.
I've spent my life organizing for workers rights,
climate resilience, and community driven change.
And now I'm stepping up to lead Seattle
with that same love for our city.
I'm proud to be endorsed by national organizations like
Run for Something and the LGBTQ Victory Fund.
Because our campaign represents the next generation
of leadership,
one that's bold, people first, and rooted in authenticity.
We're running to deliver real results for working people
when we get into City Hall.
First, we will build a thousand units of shelter in the first hundred days
because everyone deserves a roof over their head
and a chance at rebuilding.
We will build more affordable housing,
including social housing,
because this homelessness crisis doesn't get better without it.
Second, we'll invest in public safety
to focus on the right response.
We will increase mental health programs
and take action on essential infrastructure like lighting
and safer streets,
because true safety means everyone makes it home.
Third, we'll expand the Office of Labor Standards
to protect workers here at home
when organized labor is being attacked nationwide.
This moment is personal for me,
and I know what it means to be erased right now.
Seattle can make history by electing our first trans mayor
and sending a message to the country
that everyone belongs here.
Instead of giving in to fear, I refuse to be afraid in 2025.
Real change takes real courage.
So I'm asking you to be bold
and vote for our shared vision on Election Day.
-Hello, Seattle.
My name is Isaiah Willoughby
and I'm running to be your next mayor.
I'm not a career politician.
I'm a neighbor, a listener,
and a leader shaped by real experiences and real challenges.
I've worked in housing. I've studied it.
I've lived through what so many in our city face, rising costs,
broken systems, and leaders who seem out of touch.
I earned my degree in real estate
from North Seattle College
because I wanted to understand the policies behind the problems
and find real solutions.
My experience at entrepreneurship and
community work has taught me
that the best ideas don't come from behind closed doors.
They come from the people living the reality every day.
Seattle is full of heart, grit, and talent,
but we're being held back by a system
that too often serves the few at the top.
As mayor,
I will fight for housing that people can actually afford.
Public safety that is accountable,
and community based economic growth
that supports working families and small businesses,
not just big corporations.
This campaign is called The People's Voice
because that's who I'm here to serve.
I believe the government should work with them
people, not over them.
Together we can build a city that listens,
includes and delivers on its promises.
I am Isaiah Willoughby.
I'm ready to lead with heart, courage and integrity.
Thank you Seattle.
-With your support,
we will continue overcoming challenges
in building a brighter, more equitable future.
Since 2022,
we've helped thousands of vulnerable people
access housing and shelter,
supporting an 80% reduction
in unauthorized tent encampments citywide.
Crime rates are lower.
We're rebuilding police staffing
and care to department responders trained
in de-escalation are assisting people in crisis.
We've made unprecedented investments
in affordable housing, climate action,
transit and transportation.
Let's keep working together for a stronger, united Seattle.
I'm a Seattle Public Schools graduate
and a University of Washington graduate.
A lifelong Seattle resident and a father deeply committed
to the diversity and dynamism of our city.
With your vote, I'll continue to focus on outcomes
and make no excuses and seek bold, transformative change.
I'm committed to action on housing,
directing over $1 billion to create thousands
of affordable homes
and improve supportive housing availability and staffing.
I've eliminated barriers to housing construction
past nation leading green building standards.
I will continue working for affordable communities
while connecting unsheltered neighbors with resources.
I'll keep improving public safety,
having delivered on promises to establish an unarmed
behavioral health response unit,
hire more and more diverse officers,
reduce response times, and crack down on drug trafficking.
A lifelong advocate for youth,
I'm committed to reducing gun violence
in our schools and communities. Moving forward,
we will accelerate programs that keep us safe and healthy.
I will continue protecting Seattle,
challenging Trump,
his administration's efforts to disrupt Seattle's stance
as a welcoming city for immigrants, LGBTQ,
and BIPOC communities.
I'll ensure our rights and laws are respected.
I ask for your vote.
-Hello people of the Emerald City.
I'm Doctor Bliss.
I'm running for mayor to represent all of you.
My priorities for our city are to make it clean,
green, and safe
and bring civility to our city streets and our communication.
Our current process of dehumanizing others
and socially excommunicating anyone
who disagrees with us is the first step in warfare.
I will stop the tearing down
and replace it with a paradigm for positive change.
Our system of government is oppressive to the poor
and provides economic favoritism to our wealthy citizens.
Wealth buys a significant voice in our government,
favorable treatment from our courts,
and an excellent education from our public schools.
I will take concrete steps
to make sure everyone receives these benefits.
I believe in providing emergency shelter for everyone
who needs it,
and putting an immediate end to living on the streets.
For those who are ready for a different life,
free of addiction,
I believe in treatment.
Enabling antisocial behavior is not compassionate.
It is irresponsible and perpetuates the cycle
of misery and injustice upon others.
I favor arresting
and prosecuting all criminals with compassionate treatment
after sentencing.
The current zoning change,
allowing four to six homes in all existing single family lots
will add more unaffordable housing,
increase traffic congestion,
and turn our Emerald City into a concrete jungle.
I will press for affordable mixed use housing built
along safe, clean and quiet transit corridors.
We must preserve our green spaces and build up,
not out into our backyards and green spaces.
My campaign does not run on money.
It relies on you.
If you would like to know more about what you can do
to make a positive change, visit doctorblissformayor.com
Thank you for your support.
♪♪
-Hi, I'm Joe Molloy,
and I'm running to be the next mayor of Seattle.
In the summer of 2024, I was evicted from my apartment
after a previously undiagnosed neurological condition left me
unable to work for a short time.
That eviction pushed me out onto the street,
and for the last ten months, I've lived in a tent.
This is a statement I would have never imagined saying,
but it would be easier for me to win the office of mayor
than to find stable housing in this city.
And that should tell you everything
you need to know about the broken systems
we're living under, and why I'm running to fix that.
The solutions are already in front of us.
What we lack is the political will
and the moral clarity to act on them.
I'm not a career politician.
I consider myself a public servant and an average person
who has lived through the failures of our city's broken safety nets.
But this experience didn't break me.
It's focused me.
And now I'm determined to create real solutions
that work for everyone.
I understand these crises not from a distance,
but from the inside.
And I know exactly where we need to go from here.
That's why I've introduced the Homeless New Deal,
a bold, actionable plan to end the outcome
of homelessness in Seattle.
For too long, these problems have been avoided.
People like me have been ignored, left to disappear.
But we're still here.
I'm still here, and I'm not going away.
So this is not about making a statement.
A vote for me is not some symbolic gesture.
It's an ideological, moral and ethical choice.
A vote for real solutions rooted in justice and dignity
and in collective liberation. I'm ready to lead.
And with your support, we can build a Seattle
where no one is left behind.
Thank you.
-I'm Katie Wilson, and I'm running for Seattle mayor.
As founder and executive director
of the Transit Riders Union,
for 14 years, I've been building powerful coalitions
to win major victories that benefit working families,
higher minimum wages,
and stronger protections for renters in cities
around King County.
The ORCA Lift low income fare program,
which tens of thousands of transit riders use every day.
The JumpStart tax on wealthy corporations,
which prevented devastating service cuts
during the pandemic.
Now I'm running for mayor because I know we can do better.
We deserve a mayor's office
that leads with integrity and collaboration,
not one that's embroiled in scandal
and beholden to powerful groups.
Working families in our city
are struggling with the high cost of rent,
childcare, and groceries.
We need a mayor who takes the cost of living crisis seriously.
Voters have twice supported social housing by a landslide.
Seattle deserves a mayor who will work to make it successful,
not undermine it.
More people are homeless than ever before,
and we have less shelter now than we did four years ago.
As your mayor,
I will create more emergency housing
and deepen investments in addiction treatment
and mental health care.
We can do better on public safety.
Right now, Seattle is not following best practices
to prevent and respond to gun violence,
and we must do more to protect residents
against attacks from the Trump administration
and make sure we can deliver the services people depend on,
even if we lose federal funding.
Seattle can have affordable and abundant housing,
great public spaces, high quality schools,
world class mass transit, and vibrant neighborhoods.
You shouldn't need a six figure income to feel at home here.
This is your city, a city that we can build together.
With your vote, we can have a true champion for working families
and a coalition builder in the mayor's office.
I'm proud to be endorsed by the King County Democrats,
UAW 4121, State Senator Rebecca Saldaña,
and many more trusted organizations and community leaders.
I would be honored to have your vote in this race.
♪♪
-Seattle city attorney.
The city attorney is the head of the law department
and appoints all assistant city attorneys,
city prosecutors, and other department staff.
The city attorney supervises and controls litigation
in which the city or any of its departments is a party.
The city attorney also provides legal counsel
to all city departments and to elected and appointed officials.
The city attorney is elected for a four year term.
-Hello, I'm your city attorney, Ann Davison.
Since being elected in 2021,
I've led the fight to make our city safer.
Now I'm leading the fight against unlawful actions
by the Trump administration,
and I will use the full weight of my office
to keep our community safe from his threats.
I first ran for office
because our laws reflect our values
and should apply to all of us equally,
from the White House to Seattle's most troubled areas.
As the first woman and mom to serve as city attorney,
I fought against human trafficking on Aurora
that disproportionately targets women and girls.
I've worked to eliminate open air drug markets,
threatening neighborhoods,
and created a drug prosecution alternative
to give those struggling with addiction
a pathway to treatment.
To reduce gun violence,
I proposed common sense rules for after hours venues
to curb late night shootings.
I've also fought for the environment and consumers,
winning 160 million from corporate polluters
dumping toxic chemicals into the Duwamish River.
And I sued Kia and Hyundai
for needlessly exposing consumers to auto theft.
I brought transparency and accountability
by creating a groundbreaking data program
to show the public how our criminal justice system works,
bringing unprecedented visibility.
And I led the effort to push the state legislature
to fix the toxicology lab backlog for DUIs
to improve roadway safety.
We cannot go back to being a city
that did not enforce its own laws
and allow public spaces to become unsafe and inaccessible.
I offer proven leadership, pragmatic solutions,
and a promise to keep fighting for Seattle's future.
I'm endorsed by former Democratic governors
Gregoire and Lock,
Democratic Congressman Adam Smith,
King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion,
Pierce County prosecutor Mary Robnett,
Seattle Building and Construction trades unions,
Seattle Firefighters Union, and a majority of the city council.
I'm running for re-election
because we still have more work to do.
I'm Ann Davison,
and I'm asking for your vote to ensure our city's
improvements on safety and livability continue.
-My name is Rory O'Sullivan,
and I'm running for Seattle City Attorney.
Throughout my career,
I've looked for ways
to have a positive impact on our community.
During the foreclosure crisis,
I worked at Northwest Justice Project representing
homeowners facing foreclosure.
When the county declared a homelessness emergency,
I was serving on the front line as managing attorney
of the Housing Justice Project, protecting renters.
And during the pandemic,
I created a law firm to help unemployed folks
who were struggling to receive the benefits they'd earned.
But in my spare time as an activist,
I've focused on systems change.
I helped create our first in the nation
Democracy Voucher Program,
and I chaired the organization
that passed ranked choice voting for Seattle.
What I learned from these experiences
is that when voters and activists come together,
we can do big things.
Seattle voters are hungry for change.
They deserve leaders as courageous as they are,
and I have the experience to bring about the change we need.
I'll bring the Seattle Police Officer's Guild
to the negotiating table
to ensure we enact common sense accountability measures.
I'll strengthen our therapeutic courts
to help people disengage from the criminal legal system,
and make sure Seattle is safe for everyone.
I'll support our Office of Labor Standards
to help workers fight back against wage theft.
And I'll stand up to Trump. I'll fight to ensure
that Seattle receives the federal funding
we've been appropriated,
and I'll stand with community partners
to protect our friends and neighbors
who are being persecuted by the federal government.
I've been endorsed by every Democratic organization
that has endorsed in the city attorney's race.
I've been endorsed by unions, nonprofits, and elected leaders.
You can check out all my endorsements
and my platform at my website, electrory.com
I hope to earn your support and your vote.
Thank you.
-Seattle deserves a justice system that reflects our values,
one rooted in accountability and compassion.
Right now, that's not what we're getting.
The City Attorney's Office is failing to deliver
on its most basic responsibilities.
Domestic violence and DUI cases are being dismissed
at an inexcusable rate.
Low level offenses continue without changing behavior.
And instead of building real safety,
we're getting political headlines
and performative prosecutions.
I'm running because I know what's broken
and where real change needs to happen.
I'm a public defender, a legal advocate,
and a father to two young children.
I've clerked for federal judges,
handled complex civil litigation at one of Seattle's
largest law firms,
and spent years representing people failed by the system.
I'm not a prosecutor or a political insider.
I'm someone who's been in the trenches, standing with people
when the system comes crashing down.
I bring extensive legal experience and lived values,
not political ambition.
I'll be a city attorney who delivers outcomes, not excuses.
This means prosecuting serious cases effectively
and using proven alternatives to break the cycle of harm.
I'll bring back and strengthen community court,
expand access to treatment and support services,
and invest in tools that actually reduce recidivism.
I'll also end cash bail for nonviolent, low level offenses.
Freedom should never depend on how much money someone has.
It should depend on risk, safety and justice.
I'm proud to be endorsed by Democratic leaders
and respected legal advocates
who know Seattle needs a city attorney rooted in values.
Someone who will lead with integrity,
deliver results, and reject political theater.
I promise to be a city attorney
who protects Seattle from Trump's attacks,
believes accountability and compassion can coexist,
and understands that real safety comes from breaking cycles,
not deepening them.
I would be honored to earn your vote.
-My name is Erika Evans,
and I'm running to be your next Seattle city attorney.
Right now, our city is under attack
from the Trump administration.
Civil rights are being rolled back.
Reproductive freedom is threatened,
and injustice is rising.
Our most vulnerable neighbors are left unprotected
while our Republican city attorney stays silent.
I know what it means to be failed by the system.
I moved eight times before I was 12
and grew up in Section 8 housing.
Strong union jobs helped my family climb out
of poverty and thrive.
I've spent my career fighting for justice,
prosecuting violent crimes,
taking on fentanyl traffickers and hate crimes,
and protecting workers from wage theft.
Because if justice doesn't protect the most vulnerable,
it's not justice at all. I left the Department of Justice
when I was told to report on colleagues
for doing diversity work.
I refused to be part of a system dismantling civil rights
because I was trained to fight for them.
My grandfather raised his fist in the 1968 Olympic Games
to protest injustice.
And I carry that same courage every single day.
Now I'm bringing that fight home.
I'll restore community court, end delays
in domestic violence and DUI prosecutions,
and focus on rehabilitation instead of endless cycles.
Seattle does not need a savior or another politician.
We need a fighter with experience
who will not back down. I'll defend our right to belong,
our right to make decisions about our bodies,
our right to clean air and water,
and our right to live safely with dignity.
I'm proud to be endorsed
by our Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown,
King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion,
Council-member Girmay Zahilay, labor leaders,
Democratic organizations, legislators,
and civil rights champions across our state.
Our city deserves an attorney who will fight for all of us.
My name is Erika Evans, and I'm asking for your vote.
Thank you.
♪♪
-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 8 and Position 9 are at large,
representing the entire city for a term of four years.
Positions 1 through 7 each
represent different districts of the city.
This year, the two at large council positions
are up for election.
There is also a special election
for Seattle City Council District 2,
which covers the southeast portion of Seattle.
The candidate elected to this position
will serve the remaining two years of the term,
and be on the ballot again in 2027.
All voters in Seattle
can vote in both of the at large city council races.
Only voters in District 2 can vote in the special election
for Seattle City Council District 2.
♪♪
-I'm Adonis Ducksworth,
and I'm running for you for District 2.
Thank you for this opportunity to run
to represent the community that raised me.
As your council-member,
I will address public safety, homelessness,
and create housing that is affordable for working families.
I'm here to work for you and as you get to know me,
you'll learn three things about me.
I'm all about our families, our kids,
and our communities.
Families -- I was raised on Beacon Hill by a single mother
who worked two jobs.
I met my wife when we were at Mercer Middle School.
Her dad was a carpenter
and her mom ran a midwifery school at El Centro de la Raza.
Growing up,
our families were able to thrive in this community.
And I want your family to thrive here too.
Kids -- We have two daughters, ages 10 and 15.
I want my kids to be safe and I want their friends to be safe.
They should be safe when they walk to school.
They should be safe when they take the bus downtown.
They should be safe when they go to the park.
Community -- I've dedicated my professional career
to public service and community engagement.
My career has been about bringing people
into the conversation rather than excluding them.
I successfully rebuilt 23rd Avenue.
We did this by bringing a diverse group of people,
businesses and community leaders together.
And we stopped displacement during a time
of intense gentrification, all by bringing people together.
This is how I get things done.
Whether you've lived here your whole life,
you're new to the area,
or you're thinking about making South Seattle
your permanent home,
you want a district that you can be proud of.
So we need to change the narrative.
We need to change the narrative
that we have the most dangerous roads
and the most dangerous neighborhoods.
To change the narrative about
South Seattle means we need to solve the problems.
So how do we do this? Well, we can't do it alone.
We need to work together.
We need to work together to stop the gun violence.
We need to work together to stop people from speeding.
We need to work together to build housing
that people can afford.
And we need to work together to give our Black
and brown children other opportunities
besides turning to the streets.
So if you want a district with the safest streets
and the most vibrant neighborhoods,
then let's work together.
And I ask for your vote.
I'm Adonis Duckworth,
I'm running for you for District 2.
-Hi, my name is Eddie Lin,
and I'm running because everyone,
and I mean every single person in our community
deserves to feel safe,
to have an affordable home, a good job,
and good schools for our kids.
And our communities
from the Chinatown International District to Rainier Beach
deserve a strong voice at City Hall,
someone who listens and responds to your needs.
Before going to law school at age 30,
I worked as a bike messenger, at a bakery, a bookstore,
and as a secretary, sometimes working two jobs at once.
I know that one job should be enough,
and that's why we need to lower the cost of living
and support good wages for workers.
And I'll fight to tax wealthy corporations
and the ultra rich to meet our essential needs.
As a lawyer for the Office of Housing,
I've helped fund thousands of affordable homes.
My top priority will be lowering housing costs
and increasing housing choices so we can all thrive.
And I'm the only candidate with years of experience
in affordable housing.
I'm proudly married to a public school teacher and union leader
and raised our sons on Beacon Hill,
attending local public schools,
and as the son of a Taiwanese immigrant,
I'm appalled by Trump's heartless attacks.
I will stand with you
to defend our immigrant and LGBTQIA+ communities.
I also believe in a comprehensive approach
to public safety.
We're experiencing record levels of youth gun violence.
We have to invest more in programs
that get guns off the streets,
and that give our youth hope for their future.
And we should scale up programs
that bring social workers to more 911 calls,
so our police can focus on our most urgent public safety needs.
Finally, I'm not beholden to any special interests
and will focus solely on representing you,
the voters of District 2. I'd be honored to earn your vote
and look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
-Seattle is one of the richest cities on the planet.
But walk down Jackson Street
or ride the light rail through Rainier Valley
and it doesn't feel that way.
We've got billionaires dodging taxes
while families go without the basics.
This isn't a crisis of resources.
It's a crisis of priorities.
I remember when Seattle was a place
where working class families could own homes and thrive.
It's this experience and the experience of being in a union
that have taught me
that we don't have to accept things the way they are.
We don't have to accept a city
that only works for a select few.
We can build a Seattle where everyone has a home,
where every kid feels safe walking to school,
and where our families are rooted and strong
and filled with hope.
I was an early supporter of social housing
because we need to provide high quality,
union built housing as a public good.
I will expand opportunities for permanently affordable housing,
protect tenant rights and build shelter capacity.
My council office will expand the care team
and support the community organizations working
on the front lines to solve our drug and mental health crisis.
We'll refuse to accept a police contract
without accountability measures,
we'll partner on diversion programs
and restore feelings of safety to our city.
I'm not a career politician. I never saw myself doing this,
but our city deserves to have regular people
with regular problems in City Hall.
I'm not afraid to stand up and ask the hard questions and lead.
I'm proud to be endorsed
by King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda,
former city councilmember Tammy Morales,
and former King County Councilmember Larry Gossett,
as well as MLK Labor, and the following unions: Pro Tech 17,
ILWU 19, ATU 587, and Sailors Union of the Pacific.
I'd be honored if you supported me too.
-Hello, my name is Jeanie Chunn,
she/her pronouns.
I'm running for Seattle City Council in District 2.
I'm running for this position because in these times,
we need a council-member who listens to our diverse community
fights tirelessly to represent their needs,
and is unbought by special interests.
We are living in a city with upside down tax rates
that favor the rich.
A police force with no accountability.
An administration
that continuously sweeps our unhoused community.
I decided to run so we can have someone on the council
who is willing to dismantle systems that do not serve us
and follow through on the progressive values we preach.
As a longtime community advocate,
I know that the challenges facing our neighborhoods --
affordable housing, homelessness, public safety,
and environmental justice they require practical solutions
and bold leadership.
My advocacy has helped pass many policies,
including JumpStart Seattle,
PayUp legislation, free outdoor permits for restaurants,
capping delivery fees,
and the elimination of the subminimum wage
for tipped workers in Washington, D.C.
and the state of Michigan.
And federally, I secured $28.6 billion in federal funding
for independent restaurants nationwide.
My policy successes have shown
that I can make real change happen,
and I want to do this for our district on a daily basis.
I'm committed to affordable housing,
policies that prioritize people over profits,
keeping our streets safe through evidence based,
community driven solutions,
and strengthening our local economy
by supporting small businesses
and creating job opportunities that pay living wages.
We have the opportunity to make real change in Seattle
and break from the current administration's corporate agenda.
Instead of wasting resources criminalizing poverty,
we can force corporations to pay their taxes,
divest from fossil fuels,
and build an economy of care and compassion.
These are the changes that will actually make our city safer,
more equitable, and environmentally sustainable.
I'm asking for your vote to build a Seattle
where everyone matters and everyone thrives.
Together there is nothing we cannot do.
Let's create a city that's affordable, accountable,
and welcoming for all.
♪♪
-What's up Seattle?
Today I stand before you
as a passionate advocate for our great city.
I am running for Seattle City Council
because I believe we can do better.
We must do better.
I am determined to bring forth policies
that improve our lives and strengthen our communities.
One of the first issues I will tackle
is the Democracy Voucher Program.
While well-intentioned,
this program has failed to meet its objective
of empowering grassroots candidates.
Instead, it has bolstered career politicians
and drained taxpayer resources.
It is time to redirect our efforts and funds
towards initiatives
that truly elevate diverse voices
in our political landscape.
Next, I pledge to end the sugar tax,
Seattle's disproportionately low income affecting
sweetened beverage tax.
It's time to alleviate this burden
and instead focus on innovative solutions
that encourage healthy living without punishing
consumers and businesses.
Another top priority is investing in our robust
public transit system.
I'll wholeheartedly support the expansion of light rail,
which will reduce traffic congestion,
cut greenhouse gas emissions,
and make our city more accessible for all.
Together, we can create a transportation network
that serves everyone efficiently and sustainably.
Public safety is another pressing concern.
People deserve security.
I will work tirelessly to implement effective,
common, unity orientated solutions
that enhance public safety
while respecting the rights and dignity of every citizen.
Over my half decade career,
I have fought for the issues of universal health care,
reproductive rights, and freedom of speech.
And as your City council-member,
I will fight just as hard for every single one of you.
In conclusion, I ask for your support in this election.
Together, we can create a more equitable,
safe and thriving Seattle for everyone.
♪♪
-I'm Alexis Mercedes Rinck.
I'm a renter and someone who takes the bus to work every day.
I went from waiting tables next to the Space Needle
to working on policy at the UW tower,
to now serving you on Seattle City Council,
fighting for a city that works for all of us,
not just the wealthy few.
And in my work across communities,
I've gained a reputation for bringing people together
around solutions and making things happen.
I got my master's degree at the UW,
and I've worked across 39 cities
and with over 100 different organizations
on housing and health of our communities.
And since joining council,
I've partnered with our state delegation
and pushing for new statewide progressive revenue options
and successfully restoring funding
for the Recovery Navigator program.
I was the only member of council
to campaign for and secure progressive revenue for union
built social housing,
and I've sponsored new legislation
to support more affordable housing development
in times of national strife,
Seattle must stand as a beacon of hope and resilience.
As we confront a MAGA regime determined to attack our rights
and protect the wealthy at the expense of working people,
I've spearheaded our city's fight
against this fascist power grab,
creating and sharing a new council committee
focused on combating these federal policy changes.
But I was brought to this work because of my upbringing.
I am proudly raised by my grandparents.
I was born to teenagers caught in cycles of gang violence,
substance use disorder, and homelessness.
But I was given the tools I needed to heal,
thanks to great teachers and afternoons at the Boys and Girls Club,
and I am here today as a living testament to
when we invest in young people,
regardless of their beginnings, we can change generations.
We had a record breaking win last year,
and we're continuing to unite Seattle
with nearly 70 endorsements.
This is the campaign Planned Parenthood trusts
will protect reproductive health care access.
This is the campaign King County Democrats trust
is going to uphold core Democratic values.
And this is the campaign that unionized healthcare workers,
maritime workers, bus drivers,
trust is going to work tirelessly
for our working families.
And now I'm asking for your support
so we can fight together against the politics of fascism
and build a Seattle that works for all of us.
-As a business owner,
I've had to live with the consequences caused
by politicians dismantling our criminal justice system,
allowing crime, addiction and mental illness to cause death,
the ruin of our businesses and beautiful downtown,
and the sense of safety of every citizen.
As a resident,
I have had to contend with ever increasing rent
and have experienced being priced out of buying a home.
As your city councilmember,
my mission will be to serve you by passing practical policy
that closes the wage versus rent gap,
rebuilds our police department, secures our own city jail,
permits arrests and jail sentences,
and builds long term residential treatment centers
to solve the drug and mental illness epidemic.
In Seattle, we still live without fundamental safety.
Police are not allowed to arrest,
the county tells us there is no room at the jail.
Judges don't convict and sentence.
Cops are treated as criminals and criminals
are treated as victims.
Under these conditions,
our city's quality of life is being destroyed.
Businesses are failing and leaving.
Our working people have nothing left over
at the end of the month.
Worst of all,
we are in a city where the press and government
stifle critical thinking and diversity of opinion,
even in the face of total government failure.
We can do better.
Every citizen has the same wish --
to be treated fairly under the law,
and to live in a peaceful, stable, prosperous society.
Safety will bring business and prosperity back to our city.
We can do this together. With your vote,
I will represent the unheard voice,
the common sense voice,
the united voice against a status quo
that has failed us for too long.
-My name is Bishop Ray Rogers.
I am a lifelong resident of Seattle,
a former gang member who,
with the help of community officer Harry Bailey,
came through the Seattle crack epidemic of the '90s
and became an advocate for peace in Seattle Rainier Valley,
and throughout Seattle.
For 20 years,
I've embedded myself in the neglected areas of Seattle,
providing ground level service to at risk youth,
victims of sexual assault, and our homeless neighbors.
I have led marches
and provided mentoring to youth caught in the cycle of drugs, gangs, and violence.
I am an administrator leading the Circle of Love Outreach for over ten years.
But more than that, I'm a frontline service provider.
I am the candidate that has gone through the storm.
I've personally felt the loss of lives due to street violence,
to fentanyl, to homelessness, and to sex trafficking.
My voice on the city council
will give a new needed perspective to the struggles of our inner city.
I'll prioritize public safety and fully staffing our police and first responders,
while also encouraging community policing and accountability.
I support alternative response models,
including restorative justice
and investing in community based programs
to reduce youth crime and gun violence,
as well as protect victims rights and recovery.
I understand public safety, accountability,
resources and rehabilitation
as only a person with lived experience can.
Recently, I was asked transportation issues, including busing.
It brought back so many memories of using Seattle's
robust transit system to escape the violence of my neighborhood.
Sadly, it's something that the youth in Rainier Valley still experience.
I know that Seattle is a diverse city,
and I know that there are many important topics
that are dear to your heart and to mine.
Small business support, fair taxes, incentives,
homeless resources and housing,
park trees, canopies and protecting the environment.
But we cannot forget that public safety is essential to our survival.
Don't give up on the gains
that we've made over the past few years,
and let's not return to the radical council of the past.
I am Ray Rogers and I'm asking for your vote.
♪♪
-My name is Connor Nash
and I'm running to be your next city wide councilmember
in Position Nine.
Seattle is facing a crisis of trust due to
the deeply unpopular legislation passed by this council.
Social services are cut to increase the police budget.
Laws are passed to criminalize our unhoused population
with no plans on how to help.
Even our ethics laws were under attack.
And it wasn't to help you.
When you go to the council chambers
to vocally oppose these terrible laws,
you are dismissed and ignored.
That will change if I'm lucky enough
to become your City councilmember.
I'm running for city council
because the problems you're experiencing
have been most evident in my neighborhood.
I moved to Little Saigon in 2019, and in that time,
I have watched a beautiful,
historic place become one of distress
because of an out-of-control drug market caused by city neglect,
our city government has decided to launch a futile war on drugs
through a useless anti-drug zone,
building hostile architecture, and installing police cameras.
The war on drugs has never worked, and this one will fail.
Instead, we must increase funding for social services
and public defenders
while reforming our criminal justice system
with a robust drug court.
We must expand affordable housing to address the homelessness crisis.
We need community-led plans,
such as Little Saigon's Pho Dep to bring stakeholders together
and address the problems in our neighborhoods,
rather than the current top-down approach
the city uses.
Finally, my major legislative goal is
to create a Green New Deal jobs program.
Our community is under attack by the Trump administration,
and we need a progressive plan.
The Green New Deal jobs program will use JumpStart funds
to create well-paying union jobs that will clean our environment,
not just in downtown.
Restoration projects help our community
while supporting our economy.
We deserve a city council that listens to constituents,
not ignores them.
We deserve a council that passes popular legislation,
not one that people vehemently oppose.
I will be the councilmember who listens,
supports, and fights for you.
Visit nashforseattle.com to learn more
and support my campaign.
Thank you.
-Seattle needs council leadership working
on urgent citywide priorities, not personal agendas.
I'm Dionne Foster,
and I'll bring focus and experience
to address housing affordability,
support people in crisis,
and keep our city safe and welcoming for all.
My commitment to service is rooted in my career
as a city policy analyst, philanthropic leader,
social work educator,
and from raising my family here in Seattle.
I've personally experienced the challenges facing
too many families: working multiple jobs,
unaffordable rent, and difficulty securing childcare.
And I've seen firsthand
how government investment can create stability
for families like mine.
I've worked citywide to advance housing and climate action,
and statewide to fund affordable childcare
through a capital gains tax.
On city council, I'll fight for bold,
progressive action to build a stronger Seattle.
We need more affordable homes in Seattle.
I'll prioritize getting people indoors with shelter, treatment,
and permanent housing. I'll end council inaction
that delays needed housing construction,
and I'll promote home ownership,
prevent displacement, and back voter-approved social housing options
so all Seattleites have access to stable, affordable homes.
I've called 911 for both urgent and non-emergency situations,
and I want to ensure every call gets the right response.
I will support effective accountable policing,
advance gender equity and law enforcement,
and expand our care team.
I'll invest in youth engagement, behavioral health,
gun violence prevention,
and community driven safety solutions.
I will prioritize leadership on climate
through advancing sustainable transportation,
and I will fight for workers, including gig workers,
by supporting our unions, fair pay,
and safe workplace conditions.
I'm the only candidate for this seat endorsed
by Democratic Party organizations
Planned Parenthood,
MLK Labor, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal,
and elected leaders representing Seattle at every level.
I ask for your vote.
-Hi, I'm Sara Nelson, your citywide councilmember.
I'm a 35 year Seattle resident, lifelong Democrat,
a wife, mother, and small business owner.
And I ran for office four years ago
because I saw a city in need of recovery.
People were living unhoused in parks,
on sidewalks and across our neighborhoods.
Fentanyl had become a public health emergency,
drug use was ignored,
and 911 response times were getting worse.
And all this was hitting our most vulnerable the hardest.
And I knew Seattle could do better.
As a person in recovery myself,
my belief in second chances drives everything I do
because everyone deserves the same chance
at recovery that I had.
It's why I pushed for expanded access to comprehensive,
on-demand treatment
and secured major investments
in recovery services and overdose prevention,
and that's saving lives.
I brought that same urgency to housing.
We moved people inside, expanded shelters with services
and streamlined permitting to get more projects moving.
Seattle's investment in affordable housing
is now at an all time high, and I'm fighting
for more housing of all types across the city.
Under my leadership,
we've reversed the years long trend of losing more officers
than we can hire.
And more first responders means a safer, more livable city.
Bottom line -- Seattle's recovering,
but progress is fragile.
As the federal government wreaks havoc,
Seattle can't go backwards.
With your vote, I'll keep doing the work,
expanding treatment, keeping people safe,
and delivering real results for the people of Seattle.
I'm proud to be backed by Democrats, labor,
and neighbors across the city
who want to keep our momentum going.
I'm Sara Nelson, and I'd be honored to earn your vote.
-Hi, my name is Mia Jacobson,
and I am running for Seattle City Council Position 9,
which is an all-city position.
I am 37 years old, a third generation West Seattleite,
a third generation union longshoreman,
and a single mother of three.
I was born in the house that I'm raising my kids in,
a house my parents could afford with a single income,
and one that I cannot afford,
working the same job my father did.
In the last 20 years, Seattle has become almost unrecognizable.
Our lives keep getting harder
and there is nothing we can do to stop it.
We get mad. We make signs. We vote.
We call our representatives.
Everything just keeps getting worse.
We must stop acting like any of this is normal, healthy, or okay.
The people of Seattle have no measurable impact
on the daily decisions made by our government.
There is no way to protect ourselves from bad policy.
This is a serious problem for all of us,
regardless of our political differences.
We need to understand the limits of the process
we have inherited.
Public policy is drafted and voted on by people
who are most often not affected by it.
While the people who are cannot contribute to the conversation which creates it.
You can blame bad policy on somebody else,
but a healthy city is our responsibility.
In the last 20 years,
the only thing that has outstripped inflation
is our rate of technological development.
Seattleites everywhere are already using online platforms
and digital tools to educate
and organize themselves around solutions
to our modern problems.
It's time to bring that energy to City Hall.
Our elected officials need all the help they can get.
We are on the verge of a great social transformation,
as our evolution demands that we reimagine what human is, does,
and is capable of.
You might be waiting for a revolution,
but we will prepare a renaissance
as we shift our focus from the powers
that be to the powers that we have become.
With your vote, we will ask everyone in Seattle
how the city has failed to address their concerns.
And with your vision, we will build a city that does.
It's time to vote rabbit.
Vote Mia Jacobson for Position 9.
♪♪
-Seattle Proposition 1 -- Democracy program renewal levy.
Seattle Proposition 1,
which would replace an expiring Democracy Voucher Program levy,
if approved, is expected
to raise approximately $45 million over ten years.
Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program provides
each Seattle voter and eligible resident
with four $25 democracy vouchers each election year.
Candidates for Seattle Mayor, City Attorney,
and City Council
who agree to campaign contribution and spending limits
are eligible to redeem the Democracy vouchers.
Money from this levy would cover costs associated
with the program,
such as providing funding for campaign contributions backed
by democracy vouchers, voucher printing and mailing,
administrative staff,
public outreach and voucher processing costs.
In 2026, the first year of this propositions collection,
no more than $4.5 million would be raised.
The tax rate for this levy for each property owner
would be approximately 1.5 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value.
This levy includes a property tax exemption
for senior citizens and disabled persons.
-Hi, I'm King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda.
Before I served on county council,
I ran for Seattle City Council successfully
because I'm proud to be the first
first-time candidate to run and win using Seattle's
Democracy Vouchers in my campaign.
Since 2017,
we've seen repeatedly
how this program empowers everyday people
to make our democracy more representative.
Since it launched,
small dollar donations have surged five times
from what it was before the program.
And today, campaign donors better reflect the diversity of our city
by income, race, age, and neighborhood.
Candidates can run people-powered campaigns
without relying on big donors or corporate PACs.
And at a time when our democracy is under attack nationally,
Seattle can help defend our democratic principles
by making our democracy more accessible.
For just $13 a year,
the average Seattle homeowner can help ensure every voter,
no matter their income, can support candidates
they believe in through democracy vouchers.
Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program is a proven success.
It has encouraged more women and people of color, younger folks,
renters to run for office.
It helped get big out-of-city money out of local elections,
and voter turnout is up amongst those who use democracy vouchers,
especially in communities historically left out of politics.
Public satisfaction with this program is strong.
So let's keep Seattle elections of, by, and for the people.
Please join me in voting yes on Proposition 1
to continue Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program.
-Seattle is one of the most unaffordable cities in America,
and yet our city government is forcing you
to pay a special tax just to fund political campaigns.
They call it the Democracy Voucher Program.
But in 2023,
over 95% of Seattleites didn't even use them.
Millions of your tax dollars wasted.
Since 2016,
the city has spent $6.4 million just to distribute
$9.4 million in vouchers.
That's not democracy. That's bureaucratic waste.
In the last mayoral race,
one candidate collected more vouchers than votes
and finished sixth.
His campaign spent money on personal items
like headphones and haircuts
while funneling money into his consultants' pockets.
That's not voter engagement.
That's gaming the system.
And the big money? It's still here.
In 2023,
political action committees spent
over $1 million completely overshadowing
the voucher program.
A 2017 lawsuit raised serious First Amendment concerns
with the program, and its first come, first serve nature
gives incumbents a clear advantage.
Seattle families are already being crushed
by the cost of living.
Why are they being forced to pay for a political program
that doesn't work?
If we're serious about getting big money out of politics,
let's pass real reforms like banning PAC money,
not pouring more of your money into a failing system.
It's time to end the Democracy Voucher Program
and return the money to taxpayers.
♪♪
-Seattle School Board -- The Seattle School Board adopts
the policies that govern Seattle Public Schools.
The board provides direction for the educational program.
The seven directors represent different areas of the city.
Directors are non-partisan and serve four-year terms.
Just three of the seven district seats
are on the primary ballot this year.
District 2, District 4, and District 5.
In the primary,
only those who live in the school board district
that was on the ballot are eligible to vote
for candidates in that district.
The top two vote getters in each of those districts
advance to the general election.
At the general election,
all voters in Seattle will have the opportunity
to vote for one candidate from each district.
♪♪
-Public education is our nation's
most valuable investment and greatest democratic asset.
Seattle public schools deserve equitable learning environments
and bold leadership.
As a scientist, educator, mentor, and lifelong student,
I am the product of public schools.
I know firsthand how powerful
and how vulnerable our public education system is.
I've dedicated my life to continuous learning
and to public service.
I believe that with strategic leadership
and strong community culture, we can achieve remarkable progress.
Public education is where my dreams took shape,
where my future was built.
Every child deserves to feel safe,
supported, and inspired to dream and thrive.
Professionally, I've conducted neuroscience research at MIT
and led community outreach initiatives serving
my communities and their families.
I've coordinated emergency response efforts,
mentored underrepresented students in STEM,
and advocated for environmental sustainability and equity
in public services.
These experiences have taught me how to listen
and mobilize resources strategically.
As your District 4 school board director,
I will fight for transparent budgeting,
robust student support services,
and meaningful engagement with families across all communities.
I'll advocate for policies that empower your voices
and protect the future of public education.
This moment demands leadership
with strong character and integrity
rooted in the power of our community's values.
My name is Gloria Suella Menchaca
and I'm running for Seattle School Board director.
It would be my honor to serve Queen Anne and
Seattle Public Schools.
Thank you for your vote.
-My name is Joe Mizrahi,
and I'm honored to serve as your District 4 representative
on the Seattle School Board.
As a first generation American,
a parent of three Seattle public school students,
and a longtime labor leader,
I bring a deep commitment to educational equity,
fiscal responsibility, and community centered leadership.
I was appointed during a time of significant budget challenges,
and I've drawn on my years of experience managing
multi-million dollar budgets
to advocate for responsible fiscal strategies
that prioritize student learning and stability.
When dramatic school closures were proposed,
I worked with my colleagues and families and staff
to navigate these challenges,
helping to prevent devastating disruptions
for thousands of students and families.
My upbringing,
along with my parents experience as special education teachers,
taught me the value of inclusive education
and the importance of fighting for every child's
right to succeed.
I understand the real life consequences
of underfunded schools,
and I'm committed to expanding access
to high quality education and support programs across Seattle.
In my first months on the board,
I've worked to strengthen transparency and rebuild trust.
I've prioritized open communication with families,
educators, and school communities,
and I've listened deeply to what our students need to thrive.
I'm committed to continuing that work,
addressing our budget crisis with equity-focused solutions,
building stronger partnerships between schools and families,
expanding inclusive education,
and advocating for the funding that our students deserve.
Together, we can build a district
where every child has the tools to learn, grow,
and reach their full potential.
I respectfully ask for your vote to continue
serving our students and communities.
I'm proud to be endorsed by the 36th and 46th
and the King County Democrats.
Governor Ferguson, Congresswoman Jayapal,
and every state legislator in the 43rd and 36th district.
I'm also proud to have the sole endorsement
of the King County Labor Council,
along with community groups and unions
representing thousands of working families.
Go to my website, joe4schools.com
for more information and to see my full list of endorsements.
-My name is Bill Campbell and thank you for your vote.
I hail from a family of immigrants.
Loud but fun Mexicans on one side
and crazy Vikings on the other.
Meanwhile, my husband Jimmy
emigrated from the Philippines when he was 16.
We both grew up poor, with my mom working three jobs,
making $2.15 an hour.
A quality public education saved my life.
I was the first person in my family to graduate from college,
the first to get a master's degree,
and the first to run three successful small businesses,
including an accounting firm.
I vowed that my children would always attend
public schools, just like I did.
And I married a man who teaches at SPS right here in our city.
I teach with him at least two weeks a year,
but we are both ashamed to say that we will not send our kids
to the public schools in Seattle as they are now.
That is why I am running for school board.
The current board has completely abdicated their authority.
They have allowed outside consultants from Texas
to dictate how we run our schools.
Why in the world is a Texan telling us Seattleites
how to teach our kids?
My opponents use lots of flowery language,
but they don't have an actual plan,
and none of them are teaching in Seattle like my husband and I.
In my first 90 days, I will return the school board
to two traditional public meetings a month.
I will found an SPS Citizen's Budget Review Committee
to involve the public in yearly budget audits,
recommendations, and levies.
And I will fire the Texas consultants.
Thank you. And check out billforseattle.com to find out more.
-Hello, my name is Laura Marie Rivera
and I'm running for Seattle School Board Director 4.
Because our kids and our future
are too important to leave in the hands of a system
that's just not working.
If we had truly prioritized education
over the past 20, 30, 40 years,
our country would not be in the state that it's in today.
And that's not just about test scores.
It's about values, opportunity, and justice.
This is not politics as usual.
This is about putting the children first,
prioritizing education and experience
over political endorsements.
I am the proud mom of four Seattle Public School students,
a nonprofit leader, and the only educator in this race.
I bring something our board has too little of --
direct classroom experience.
I've taught in overcrowded schools, arts and tech programs,
special education, and multi-language classrooms.
I know the difference between policy that sounds good
and policy that works.
We have four school board directors
on the ballot this year.
This is our opportunity for change.
It is critical that we fix our foundation of budget and safety.
We must serve the students that we have
and build bridges for the families
that have chosen to leave SPS.
Too often decisions are being made
without truly listening to the people most affected,
especially students.
Each child comes with unique strengths and challenges
and hopes and dreams.
We must build a system that honors them all.
Then we need to invest in what helps our students
and communities thrive.
That means art, sports, music,
dual language immersion, advanced math,
hands on technical programs, special education,
and student wellness with particular care for
those students furthest from educational justice.
We have the future of our society
sitting in our classrooms today.
They deserve more than broken promises.
They deserve a school system that sees them
and sets them up to succeed. I'm Laura Marie Rivera
for Seattle School Board Director 4.
Thank you for your support.
And remember to get out the vote.
♪♪
-Public education transformed my life.
I started as an English as a second language student
with a hearing disability.
Thanks to dedicated teachers,
I'm the first woman in my family to earn a college degree.
As a current Seattle Public Schools parent,
finance professional, and former school board director,
I'm stepping up to serve at a time
when the district faces major decisions
about a new superintendent,
$100 million budget deficit and its future direction.
I'll bring experienced leadership,
budgeting and finance expertise,
and deep roots in school communities
to navigate challenges with accountability
and a needed focus on student outcomes.
I'm ready to work for you
and our 49,000 students from day one.
Here's what I'll do.
Bring clarity and oversight to our budget.
Making sure our public money is spent equitably
and effectively for our 49,000 students.
Safeguard schools from cuts and arbitrary closure plans,
and put the district on a plan
to long term financial stability.
Set a vision for a diverse portfolio of programs in schools
to meet all students needs,
particularly in special education
and also advanced learning, career pathways,
ethnic studies, and language immersion.
Prioritize student well-being and safety
by investing in mental health, gun violence prevention,
and safety at schools.
Stand up to Trump's attacks on our schools,
LGBTQ+ students, and families like mine
who came to this country to seek education and opportunity.
A successful school district is a whole community effort,
and I'm proud to be endorsed by the King County Democrats,
Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pederson,
Mayor Bruce Harrell,
City Council-member Joy Hollingsworth,
County Council-member Teresa Mosqueda,
current and former school board presidents and directors,
students, parents, educators, and community leaders.
I would be honored to earn your support and vote.
♪♪
-Hi, my name is Allycea Weil,
parent of two amazing kids raised in public schools,
seasoned school volunteer,
former PTA president and vice president,
proud disrupter of systemic oppressive systems,
and your candidate for school board director for District 5.
Having worked with families and staff
to bring equity to schools,
I have seen and felt the impact of harmful district policy,
the inconsistency in policy not aligning in budget decisions,
and an overall toxic environment
during engagement meetings, pitting families
against each other to fight for resources.
It's disgusting. As an advocate in equity,
I'm experienced in having difficult conversations
and breaking down complex issues.
I come with a curious nature to understand
and find resolution with minimal impact
to the most vulnerable of communities.
My neighborhood is the Central District.
I shop local, support local, and advocate local.
My experience informs my practice
and my work is grounded in community.
I see this job as simple, not easy, but simple.
Find and evaluate a superintendent.
Rebuild trust with families and school communities
and empower the youth so that they can chart a path to success
as they define it.
This is your district and mine. It needs to feel like that.
We need to fulfill our promise to end the school to prison pipeline
by expanding our investments in community organizations.
In the Central District and in the Black community,
we know that we keep us safe.
We need not only radical transparency for families,
but giving them a voice in what is cut or what is expanded.
These are just a few concepts I hope to bring to fruition
as your School Board Director for District 5.
I need your vote to help bring radical change
that is much needed in this city,
so we can shift away from trends of privatization.
Our public schools belong to families it serves,
and it's time to change this unbalanced power dynamic.
Thank you.
-Hello, community. My name is Julissa Sanchez,
a first generation Mexican American Chicana,
daughter of immigrants,
and a former ESL student of Seattle Public Schools
and a youth and housing justice advocate.
I am the mother of a current student at Garfield High School.
As a director of advocacy at CHOOSE 180,
I worked directly with young people
who are impacted by the school to prison pipeline
and the criminal justice system
by creating systemic change in a world where they can thrive.
This past legislative session, I supported young advocates
and using their stories to pass a bill expanding
court based diversion
and advocating for gun violence safety laws.
I'm running for school board
because our kids deserve more than Band-Aid solutions.
They deserve leaders who reflect their lived experiences
and who will fight for schools that are inclusive,
culturally responsive, and truly equitable.
As school board director,
I ensure that the voices and lived experiences of Black,
brown, immigrant, and ELL refugee students and students with disabilities,
regardless of zip code, are not just heard,
but centered in the policies and budgets
that shape Seattle Public Schools.
As the district navigates a time of leadership transition,
we need strong, community rooted voices at the table.
I believe every student deserves a high quality education
that prepares them for success in college, career, and life.
With your vote, we will create a district
where every child is valued for who they are.
With schools that affirm their culture, language,
identity, and neurodiversity.
A district where educators are equipped with the training,
resources and support
that they need to teach equitably and effectively.
Where families and communities are not just invited,
but empowered to engage as partners
in our children's education in all languages,
I am ready to lead and I'm ready to serve.
Thank you for your vote.
-I'm Janis White and I'd be honored to earn your vote.
I believe schools must be places
where every child is empowered to succeed.
That's why I'm running for Seattle School Board
in District 5 to challenge the status quo,
hold leadership accountable,
and bring people together to find solutions.
We are facing a budget crisis.
Unfortunately, the district previously proposed
closing 21 schools, including TOPS K-8,
where my children went to school
and where I served as president of the site council.
As our school board director,
I will fight for transparent budgeting with a focus on early,
meaningful, and frequent engagement
with impacted communities so we can avoid devastating impacts.
The closure of high achievement programs
is leading to declining enrollment
that exacerbates our budget issues.
I will work to bring back these programs
and keep as many kids as possible
in our public school system.
According to research by the Children's Alliance,
1 in 5 kids in our K-12 schools are struggling with anxiety,
depression, and other mental health challenges.
Delivering more mental health counselors,
increasing access to group therapy,
and addressing the use of cell phones
in schools is a top priority.
As a parent of students with disabilities,
I have seen firsthand
how Seattle Public Schools has often failed
to meet the needs of all students,
regardless of their background or abilities.
Teachers, staff and administrators
want to do the right thing,
but they need stronger guidance and support.
I will bring experience supporting kids
with disabilities that is sorely needed on the school board.
Whether it was as board president
of the Seattle Special Education PTSA
or founding a nonprofit organization
to increase inclusion and belonging for disabled youth,
I have been fighting for Seattle's students and families
for more than two decades.
Together, we can support all students to achieve success.
♪♪
-You've just seen all the video statements recorded
by the candidates
that appear on Seattle primary election ballots
for King County and Port of Seattle candidates and issues.
Watch the King County version of the Video Voter's Guide.
This program is a collaboration
of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission,
the Seattle Channel, and King County TV.
This will be a vote-by-mail election.
Ballots will be sent to all registered voters.
Look for your ballot in the mail after July 16 and vote
and return it on or before Tuesday, August 5.
Remember to sign the envelope with your voted ballot
to learn about accessible voting options,
go to kingcounty.gov/elections.
Ballots can be returned via US mail
or at one of King County's secured ballot drop boxes.
Ballots must be postmarked by August 5.
You can track the progress of your ballot online
and find the location of drop boxes
by visiting King County Elections at kingcounty.gov/elections
Thank you for joining us.
We'd like to hear from you about the Video Voter's Guide.
To comment on this guide, please call (206) 684-8500
or email us at ethicsandelections@seattle.gov
♪♪