-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.