Who's running for Seattle City Council in 2023
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The November election will bring big changes to the Seattle City Council, with at least four of the council's nine members having already announced they won't seek re-election.
Why it matters: The exodus of incumbents means most of the seven council positions on the ballot will be open seats, upping the potential for a change in the council's political direction.
What they're saying: "It's guaranteed there's going to be a big shift," Seattle-based political consultant Michael Charles told Axios.
The big picture: Voters remain frustrated with issues such as crime and homelessness, he said, which could mean some of the same forces that ushered in a more moderate, business-friendly council in 2021 will carry over into 2023.
- Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, told Axios that Seattle voters are progressive, but "I also think they're pragmatic — they want to see candidates who have a plan."
Other dynamics are new — such as the recent layoffs of tech workers, which could affect how that large voting bloc views candidates and city policy, political consultant Crystal Fincher said in an interview.
- "A chunk of them are feeling vulnerability in a way they have not before," she said.
What we're watching: Expect a lot of money to pour into this year's races, "because control of the council is at stake," Fincher said.
Zoom in: Here's a look at who's running so far, based on public announcements and campaign finance filings with the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.
- Of note: Candidates still must formally file to run for office in May. You can find your council district using this tool.
District 1
Neighborhood: West Seattle and South Park
State of play: Incumbent Lisa Herbold has announced she isn't running for re-election.
Candidates:
- Preston Anderson
- Lucy Barefoot
- Stephen Brown
- Maren Costa
- Jean Iannelli Craciun
- Mia Jacobson
- Rob Saka
- Phillip Tavel
Withdrew: AnnaLisa LaFayette
District 2
Neighborhood: Southeast Seattle and Georgetown
State of play: Incumbent Tammy Morales is running for re-election.
Challengers:
Withdrew: Dawn Lucas; Isaiah Willoughby
District 3
Neighborhood: Central Seattle, including Capitol Hill
State of play: Incumbent Kshama Sawant said she isn't running for re-election.
Candidates:
- Shobhit Agarwal
- Ry Armstrong
- Andrew Ashiofu
- Alex Cooley
- Bobby Goodwin
- Joy Hollingsworth
- Efrain Hudnell
- Alex Hudson
Withdrew:
District 4
Neighborhood: Northeast Seattle, including the University District and Wallingford
State of play: Incumbent Alex Pedersen says he isn't running for re-election.
Candidates:
Withdrew: Matthew Mitnick
District 5
Neighborhood: North Seattle, including Lake City and Northgate
State of Play: Incumbent Debora Juarez has said she won't run for re-election.
Candidates:
- Boegart Bibby
- Lucca Murdoch Howard
- Nilu Jenks
- Shane Macomber
- Cathy Moore
- ChrisTiana Obeysumner
- Tye Reed
- Justin Simmons
- Bobby J. Tucker
- Rebecca Williamson
Withdrew: Peter Kithene Wilson; Sinh Tran
District 6
Neighborhood: Northwest Seattle, including Ballard, Phinney Ridge and Green Lake
State of Play: Incumbent Dan Strauss has announced he plans to seek re-election.
Challengers:
Withdrew:
District 7
Neighborhood: Downtown, Queen Anne and Magnolia
State of play: Incumbent Andrew Lewis has announced he will run for a second term.
Challengers:
Withdrew:
Editor's note: This story was updated to include all candidates who filed to appear on the ballot before the filing deadline of May 19, 2023.