Seattle city attorney candidates clash over crime policy
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From left to right: Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison and challengers Erika Evans, Nathan Rouse and Rory O'Sullivan. Photos: Courtesy of the candidates' campaigns.
A competitive four-way race pits Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison against three challengers who say her approach is too punitive and fails to address the root causes of crime.
Why it matters: The Aug. 5 primary will decide which two candidates move on to the November general election.
Context: The city attorney prosecutes misdemeanors and helps shape the city's criminal justice policies, while representing the city in civil cases.
State of play: Davison, who was elected in 2021, faces three opponents, all running to her left.
- Although the city attorney role is nonpartisan, Davison ran for statewide office as a Republican in 2020.
- All of her opponents identify as Democrats.
Zoom in: Former U.S. assistant attorney Erika Evans left her job as a federal prosecutor earlier this year, citing opposition to Justice Department changes under President Trump.
- Nathan Rouse, a public defender who previously worked in private practice, has made ending cash bail for low-level offenses a key piece of his campaign platform.
- And Rory O'Sullivan, who represents workers seeking unemployment benefits, says his work on Seattle's Democracy Voucher program and successful ranked-choice voting push show he can help deliver big reforms.
What they're saying: All three challengers disagree with Davison's 2023 decision to shut down Seattle's community court, which offered people resources and a chance to get their cases dismissed.
- They've emphasized the need for additional services — such as housing and drug treatment — to help reduce recidivism.
- They also have criticized Davison's push to create "stay out" zones that ban people accused of prostitution or drug offenses from certain areas, calling the policy ineffective.
The other side: Davison said her efforts have helped "eliminate open air drug markets" and combat sex trafficking, particularly on Aurora Avenue North.
Between the lines: While campaigning, Davison has emphasized ways she's opposed Trump, including joining a lawsuit over the administration's threats to cut funding to cities that don't comply with federal immigration enforcement.
- Evans, Rouse and O'Sullivan, however, say she took too long to join that fight.
The big picture: It's unusual to have a four-way primary race that's this competitive, political consultant Crystal Fincher told Axios.
- All three challengers are credible and "could have a really good shot" at beating Davison in the general election, she said.
What we're watching: Local political consultant Ben Anderstone told Axios that if Davison captures at least 45% of the primary vote, she's likely in decent shape — but any lower suggests she could be vulnerable in November.