Elections Committee
The Urbanist was founded in 2014 to examine and influence urban policies. We believe cities provide unique opportunities for addressing many of the most challenging social, environmental, and economic problems. We serve as a resource for promoting urbanism, increasing political participation, and improving the places we live. The Elections Committee consists of community volunteers and staff members of The Urbanist and is a standing body representing the political values of our organization.
The big news in the 36th Legislative District is the retirement of Sen. Reuven Carlyle after a state legislative career spanning back to 2009. Rep. Noel Frame threw her hat in the ring to replace him and cleared the field. In the process, Frame vacated her seat in the...
The 37th Legislative District has one open seat created by Rep. Kirsten Harris-Talley retiring after just one term. In a South Seattle Emerald op-ed, Harris-Talley cited her frustrations with the way things operate within the Democratic caucus for her decision to bow out. The opening in Position 2 has...
The 34th Legislative District has two strong incumbents who appears to be waltzing to reelection, and one open House seat that is gearing up to be a showdown between two solid candidates: Emily Alvarado and Leah Griffin, both women with strong urbanist platforms who have stepped forward to take...
Anyone who’s been paying close attention to Seattle politics the last few years (and even some who haven’t) has an opinion about Kshama Sawant. The Urbanist Elections Committee has endorsed her time and again (mostly against weaksauce opponents) because of the unrelenting truth-telling she does and the critical role...
As of 8pm this evening, the early returns for the 2021 November General Election have been posted. Counting will continue over the coming weeks, usually with daily counts being released after 4pm. The Urbanist Elections Committee made endorsements in several city and county races in September; some are leading, some...
This election, Seattle can do much to advance progressive causes and elevate visionary leaders. The flip side of the coin is a possible retreat to the comfortable conservatism of decades past. Blaming the poor for being poor, catering to the rich so they can consolidate even more wealth and...
As of 8pm this evening, the early returns for the 2021 August Primary have been posted. Counting will continue over the coming weeks, usually with daily counts being released after 4pm. The Urbanist Elections Committee made endorsements in several city and county races last month, but three of our preferred...
Ryan Calkins is running for his second term on the Port of Seattle Commission. He won his Position 1 seat in 2017, earning The Urbanist's endorsement in that election. Calkins works as a consultant and coach at Ventures, a charitable organization that helps low-income start and grow their businesses...