Elections & Endorsements

Shemona Moreno is at the lectern with a dozen advocates holding signs in defense of JumpStart investments. Two advocates wear ghost costumes with cop hats representing the ghost cop positions that mayor and council prioritizes for funding.

Seattle Rejects Capital Gains Proposal, but Progressive Tax Time Is Nigh

Progressive challenger Alexis Mercedes Rinck's election win could mean a 5-4 majority for a capital gains tax — or even a supermajority, if Rob “this is the right tax at the wrong time” Saka can be convinced that the time is right. Other progressive taxes are also on the table.

Sara Nelson Warns She Can Kill Any Transit Project She Wants

A budget amendment put forward by Council President Nelson asks for information on how and when the city creates priority space for buses, citing opposition to Route 40. At a meeting last week, Nelson suggested that if she had wanted to kill a controversial project she already could have done it.
Shaun Scott is young black man posed with crossed arms and wears a purple sweater. Alexis Mercedes Rinks is a Latina woman wearing hoop earrings. Ryan Mello is a white man in a shirt and tie.

Election Update: Urbanists Mello, Rinck, Scott, and Bateman Coast to Victory

Shaun Scott is headed to the Washington State House. Jessica Bateman is headed to the state senate. Alexis Mercedes Rinck won a Seattle City Council seat, and Ryan Mello is the new Pierce County Executive. All were endorsed by The Urbanist.

Seattle Voters Approve $1.55 Billion Transportation Levy

Passage of Seattle's transportation levy was all but assured Tuesday night, after initial returns showed two-thirds of voters in support.

Early Washington State Election Results Are Favorable for Progressives

Progressives are off to a fast start in Washington state early returns. All four Republican-backed statewide initiative repealing progressive legislation are in trouble. Urbanist-endorsed Shaun Scott and Alexis Mercedes Rinck are up big, and urbanist Ryan Mello has a lead in the Pierce County Executive race.

What’s at Stake in Seattle and Washington State Elections

Election Day 2024 is upon us, and the outcome will have a huge impact on the lives of residents in Seattle and Washington state. Here's a quick rundown of what's on the ballot and what the outcome could mean.

Sunday Video: Replacing I-5 Lanes with Cascadia High Speed Rail

Lucid Stew's "Taking Back The Streets Cascadia Edition" analyzes the idea of repurposing I-5 lanes to create a high speed rail line between Eugene and Vancouver, BC, connecting Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and a handful of other cities along the way. A two-hour trip from Seattle to Portland or Vancouver, BC would be possible.

Progressive PAC Helps Rinck Keep Fundraising Pace in Seattle Council Race

A pro-Woo PAC pumped $70,000 into the race Friday as a last ditch effort to swing the election. So far, Alexis Mercedes Rinck had been able to keep pace, with help from the Progressive People Power PAC.