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.
Former Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell is vying to replace outgoing Mayor Jenny Durkan. Harrell's campaign bio notes he grew up in the redlined Central District the son of a Black father and Japanese mother. From star linebacker at Garfield High School and the University of Washington to high-powered...
Lance Randall was the first to jump in the Seattle Mayoral race back in September -- even before Mayor Jenny Durkan announced she wasn't running for reelection. He brings a wealth of experience in community economic development. Born and raised in Georgia, Randall moved to Seattle in 2007 to...
Jessyn Farrell is vying to replace outgoing Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, and she brings a variety of experience. Farrell was elected to the State House in 2012, representing the 46th District until she ran for Seattle Mayor in 2017. She finished fourth in that primary with 12.5% of the vote. She...
Andrew Grant Houston was one of the first candidates to jump into race to replace outgoing Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. Well known in urbanist circles as Ace of @TheUrbanAce handle on Twitter, Houston is a queer Black and Latino architect, environmental advocate, housing activist, and a high-risk individual who lives...
Council President M. Lorena González is among the crowded field to replace outgoing Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. González was elected in 2015 as the first Latinx City Councilmember in Seattle history and would also be Seattle's first Latinx Mayor if elected. She grew up in Central Washington as the...
In December, Jenny Durkan announced she wouldn't seek a second term as Mayor of Seattle, which opened up the floodgates of candidates looking to replace her. The leading candidate based on campaign cash on hand is Colleen Echohawk, who was one of the first to max out Democracy Vouchers...
As of 8pm this evening, the early returns for the 2020 General Election have been posted. Counting will continue over the coming weeks, usually with daily counts being released after 4pm, but most votes will wind up counted tonight given the very high turnout before Election Day. The Urbanist...
What is it about 2020? This year is just a lot. From the pandemic, to ongoing police brutality and accompanying protests, to the West having caught fire for a few weeks, the need for effective, just, compassionate, and smart government has never been more clear.
After all, the links between...