Seattle voters to pick Sawant's successor in District 3
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Joy Hollingsworth (left) and Alex Hudson (right). Photo illustration: Axios Visuals; Photos: Courtesy of both campaigns
Voters in Seattle's District 3 will soon pick who they want to succeed socialist City Councilmember Kshama Sawant, who is not running again.
Why it matters: With seven open seats on the nine-member council and at least four seats certain to be filled by newcomers, the results of the Nov. 7 election will be pivotal to the city's future.
What's happening: Political newcomers Joy Hollingsworth and Alex Hudson are vying to represent the district, which includes Eastlake, Capitol Hill and the Central District.
- A veteran of her family's cannabis business, Hollingsworth now works with the Food Access Network team at Northwest Harvest.
- Hudson spent decades working for nonprofits, including the First Hill Improvement Association, and was the executive director of the Transportation Choices Coalition.
Zoom in: Both Hollingsworth and Hudson say homelessness, affordable housing and public safety are top concerns in the district, and believe the city should invest more in youth programs.
- But there are differences as well. Here's a look at where the candidates stand on a few key issues.
Drug laws and police
Hudson told Axios she would not have supported the City Council's recent drug law that allows the city attorney to prosecute low-level drug crimes without first seeing funding in the budget for diversion alternatives and treatment.
- Hudson wants more resources devoted to violence prevention and de-escalation and thinks the city should invest more in "groundbreaking" programs, such as Health One, an alternative to 911, and CoLead.
- She wants crisis response teams to treat people in distress without having to wait for a police officer to be there first, she said.
Hollingsworth said she would have supported the drug law passed by the City Council in September and endorses the mayor's current police recruitment plan.
- Police must be allowed to distinguish between vulnerable drug users and predatory drug dealers, she said.
- Hollingsworth wants to see community engagement mandates that put officers face-to-face in friendly circumstances with the people they patrol.
Homelessness and housing
With average rents in District 3 well over $2,500 a month, Hudson said the growing homelessness crisis is connected to affordable housing.
- She supports funding more shelters and tiny homes to get people off the streets.
- She also wants to invest in mental health and addiction services so people can begin recovery without waiting for months.
Hollingsworth wants to see the city fund more "landing spots" as an alternative to hospitals and jails, rather than more outreach programs.
- Specifically, she wants to see the city open more emergency shelters and day centers and sanctioned car and RV lots where public safety is prioritized.
Taxes and budget
Both candidates said they would have to see an audit of the budget before they could talk about specific cuts or new taxes, but they offered a few general thoughts.
- Hudson said addressing Seattle's regressive tax structure should be a high priority.
- Hollingsworth said she might not oppose a high earners tax, but would not support a capital gains tax similar to the state's or more taxes on small businesses.
What's next: Ballots must be postmarked or returned to a ballot box by Nov. 7.