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Elections & Endorsements

Photo of Rian Watt wearing a t-shirt from the National Civil Rights museum and an unbuttoned button down shirt. He is smiling slightly.

Rian Watt Talks Primary Results on Hack and Wonks Podcast

The Urbanist's Senior Advisor Rian Watt discussed primary election results and the latest happenings at Seattle City Hall on a August 9 episode of...
The view down 5th Avenue S with the King County Jail and skyway passage.

Seattle’s Rushed Plan to Jail Low-Level Offenders Passes Its First Hurdle

On Wednesday, Seattle Council’s public safety committee advanced Mayor Bruce Harrell’s proposal to contract with the South Correctional Facility (SCORE) jail to house a limited number of people accused of simple misdemeanors, such as criminal trespass and shoplifting. The proposal comes with logistical challenge and its share of critics.
Two servers behind the counter at a cafe, one at the register and another at the espresso machine.

Op-Ed: Seattle Council Won’t Get Away with Gutting Minimum Wage Law

The Seattle City Council is queuing up a debate on appropriate wages for service workers at smaller employers. At the behest of restaurant owners, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth is seeking to cancel a scheduled minimum wage increase.
Sue Rahr, City Attorney Ann Davison, and Amy Smith (last name is now Barden), the CARE head presented to Seattle City Council's public safety committee.

Seattle Pursues Looser Police Hiring Standards After High-Profile Screening Failure

The Seattle Police Department hired a cop with a record of reckless driving who went on to kill Jaahnavi Kandula while driving recklessly. However, instead of tightening hiring protocols, Seattle officials are looking to loosen them further.

2024 Primary Election Endorsements

The Urbanist Elections Committee is proud to unveil our 2024 Primary endorsements, headlined by Ryan Mello's exciting bid for Pierce County Executive. This slate of urbanists is poised to make a difference.

Harrell and Inslee Tout Climate Work as Seattle Hosts Bloomberg Summit

Mayor Bruce Harrell and Governor Jay Inslee were on Thursday's program at Bloomberg Green Festival hosted at the Seattle Center. Both touted local leadership on environmental issues, even as that work remains tenuous.
A group of about 20 advocates pose with signs next to House-y the social housing mascot

Social Housing Backers Declare Victory in I-137 Signature-Gathering Campaign

By this winter, Seattle voters will have before them the question of whether to fund the city's new social housing developer with a tax on the highest compensated employees in the city. To make it happen, House Our Neighbors gathered more than 38,000 signatures in support of Initiative 137.

Transportation Advocate Saunatina Sanchez Mounts Seattle Council Bid

Transportation and housing organizer Saunatina Sanchez is making a case that her background in community makes her the best choice for the Seattle City Council seat currently held by Tanya Woo.