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Seattle opens residential areas to small cafes, corner markets

New zoning rules aim to boost walkability and support local shops across Seattle neighborhoods.

News

Seattle now allows small cafes and markets throughout residential neighborhoods, ending decades-old zoning rules that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largely banned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/02/10/neighborhood-cafe-law-washington-state" data-vars-content-id="692b0cd2-15f9-49ba-bd6c-109786ba15c5" data-vars-headline="Seattle opens residential areas to small cafes, corner markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/02/10/neighborhood-cafe-law-washington-state" target="_self">largely banned</a> new businesses in those areas.Why it matters: The goal is to create walkable neighborhoods where people can buy groceries, grab a bite to eat or run errands on foot — a strategy that also helps support small local retailers, Seattle City Council president Joy Hollingsworth told Axios.

Washington eyes limits on license plate data

The bipartisan bill would require agencies to delete most plate scans within 21 days.

Washington state lawmakers are advancing a bill that would set the state&#x27;s first ground rules for regulating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="automated license plate readers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/14/seattle-surveillance-technology-cameras-license-plates-cctv" data-vars-content-id="7cf12eba-a5c5-4fe9-b1d7-0afad57022da" data-vars-headline="Washington eyes limits on license plate data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/14/seattle-surveillance-technology-cameras-license-plates-cctv" target="_self">automated license plate readers</a> (ALPR).Why it matters: Washington has positioned itself as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safe haven" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/14/washington-surveillance-data-ice-abortion-immigrants-rights" data-vars-content-id="7cf12eba-a5c5-4fe9-b1d7-0afad57022da" data-vars-headline="Washington eyes limits on license plate data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/14/washington-surveillance-data-ice-abortion-immigrants-rights" target="_self">safe haven</a> for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigrants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/19/ferguson-rejects-doj-sanctuary-law-threat-immigrants" data-vars-content-id="7cf12eba-a5c5-4fe9-b1d7-0afad57022da" data-vars-headline="Washington eyes limits on license plate data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/19/ferguson-rejects-doj-sanctuary-law-threat-immigrants" target="_self">immigrants</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abortion patients" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/03/06/washington-state-abortion-protections-patients-doctors-data" data-vars-content-id="7cf12eba-a5c5-4fe9-b1d7-0afad57022da" data-vars-headline="Washington eyes limits on license plate data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/03/06/washington-state-abortion-protections-patients-doctors-data" target="_self">abortion patients</a> and those seeking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gender-affirming care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/28/washington-state-transgender-healthcare" data-vars-content-id="7cf12eba-a5c5-4fe9-b1d7-0afad57022da" data-vars-headline="Washington eyes limits on license plate data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/28/washington-state-transgender-healthcare" target="_self">gender-affirming care</a>, but privacy advocates warn these protections and others <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="can ring hollow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/14/washington-surveillance-data-ice-abortion-immigrants-rights" data-vars-content-id="7cf12eba-a5c5-4fe9-b1d7-0afad57022da" data-vars-headline="Washington eyes limits on license plate data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/14/washington-surveillance-data-ice-abortion-immigrants-rights" target="_self">can ring hollow</a> when surveillance data is tapped by federal or out-of-state agencies.

Hilary Knight sets 2 Olympic records in U.S. gold win

The Seattle Torrent captain's 15th Olympic goal tied the game and helped lift the U.S. past Canada.

Sports

Seattle Torrent captain <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hilary Knight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/10/washington-olympians-milan-cortina-seattle-hockey-speed-skating" data-vars-content-id="b57894ec-23bb-4e1b-b035-30873f5515dd" data-vars-headline="Hilary Knight sets 2 Olympic records in U.S. gold win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/10/washington-olympians-milan-cortina-seattle-hockey-speed-skating" target="_self">Hilary Knight</a> set two U.S. Olympic records Thursday while leading the U.S. women&#x27;s hockey team to a gold medal win over Canada.Zoom in: Knight, Team USA&#x27;s captain, scored a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="late tying goal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/19/hilary-knight-us-record-olympics-womens-hockey-goals/88584567007/" data-vars-content-id="b57894ec-23bb-4e1b-b035-30873f5515dd" data-vars-headline="Hilary Knight sets 2 Olympic records in U.S. gold win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/19/hilary-knight-us-record-olympics-womens-hockey-goals/88584567007/" target="_blank">late tying goal</a> that sent the championship game into overtime and helped lift the U.S. to a 2-1 victory.

The Seattle Seahawks are being put up for sale

The sale aligns with late owner Paul Allen's directive to sell his sports holdings, the team says.

Fresh off a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl victory" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/09/super-bowl-lx-results-seahawks-patriots" data-vars-content-id="8fc35250-0034-455e-ba4c-7eb4c4c3dd0b" data-vars-headline="The Seattle Seahawks are being put up for sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/09/super-bowl-lx-results-seahawks-patriots" target="_self">Super Bowl victory</a>, the Seattle Seahawks are being put up for sale, the team <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced Wednesday." data-vars-click-url="https://www.seahawks.com/news/estate-of-paul-g-allen-begins-sale-process-for-seattle-seahawks" data-vars-content-id="8fc35250-0034-455e-ba4c-7eb4c4c3dd0b" data-vars-headline="The Seattle Seahawks are being put up for sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seahawks.com/news/estate-of-paul-g-allen-begins-sale-process-for-seattle-seahawks" target="_blank">announced Wednesday.</a>The big picture: Selling the team aligns with directions laid out by late Seahawks owner Paul Allen, whose estate continues to own the team, the Seahawks said in Wednesday&#x27;s announcement.

How Wilson-Harrell contest ranks among Seattle's closest mayor races

Katie Wilson's lead over Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell was among the tightest in city history, as of Wednesday's count.

Election

This year&#x27;s race between Katie Wilson and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell appears to be the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closest mayoral contest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/12/katie-wilson-widens-lead-in-seattle-mayor-s-race" data-vars-content-id="61067a9f-54dc-49d5-9c8e-da9ece023d4a" data-vars-headline="How Wilson-Harrell contest ranks among Seattle&#x27;s closest mayor races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/12/katie-wilson-widens-lead-in-seattle-mayor-s-race" target="_self">closest mayoral contest</a> in more than a century, with Wilson beating Harrell by less than one percentage point in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the latest count" data-vars-click-url="https://election-results-01.kingcounty.gov/results.pdf" data-vars-content-id="61067a9f-54dc-49d5-9c8e-da9ece023d4a" data-vars-headline="How Wilson-Harrell contest ranks among Seattle&#x27;s closest mayor races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://election-results-01.kingcounty.gov/results.pdf" target="_blank">the latest count</a>.The big picture: As things stood Wednesday, you&#x27;d have to go back to the early 1900s to find a tighter mayoral contest in the Emerald City, an Axios analysis finds.

Why Seattle's elections often swing left as counting continues

Younger Seattleites tend to vote late — a dynamic that's shaping the mayor's race.

Seattle elections are known to see big <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leftward swings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/11/14/council-morales-strauss-election" data-vars-content-id="ad767253-9b54-488f-85f8-7e851f9dc566" data-vars-headline="Why Seattle&#x27;s elections often swing left as counting continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/11/14/council-morales-strauss-election" target="_self">leftward swings</a> in later vote counts — and that&#x27;s largely because younger, more progressive voters tend to cast their ballots on or near Election Day, two political consultants tell Axios.The big picture: That leftward shift can make it difficult to know the results in close city races for several days, a dynamic now playing out in the race for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seattle mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/23/seattle-mayor-harrell-wilson-differences-housing-safety-homelessness" data-vars-content-id="ad767253-9b54-488f-85f8-7e851f9dc566" data-vars-headline="Why Seattle&#x27;s elections often swing left as counting continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/23/seattle-mayor-harrell-wilson-differences-housing-safety-homelessness" target="_self">Seattle mayor</a>.

Seattle business tax rewrite ahead in early election returns

A city preschool and education levy was also passing as ballots continued to be counted.

A ballot measure to overhaul Seattle&#x27;s business and occupation tax was well ahead in early returns from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tuesday&#x27;s election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/24/seattle-voter-guide-nov4-ballot-mayor-council-attorney" data-vars-content-id="1fcb216e-82b1-4e77-8b8d-ca362774c59c" data-vars-headline="Seattle business tax rewrite ahead in early election returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/24/seattle-voter-guide-nov4-ballot-mayor-council-attorney" target="_self">Tuesday&#x27;s election</a>, while a city education levy also was on track to pass.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="business tax rewrite" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/15/seattle-proposition-2-business-tax-reform-harrell-budget" data-vars-content-id="1fcb216e-82b1-4e77-8b8d-ca362774c59c" data-vars-headline="Seattle business tax rewrite ahead in early election returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/15/seattle-proposition-2-business-tax-reform-harrell-budget" target="_self">business tax rewrite</a>, Seattle <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Proposition 2" data-vars-click-url="https://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/Vote/contests/ballotmeasures.aspx?lang=en-US&amp;cid=101794&amp;groupname=City" data-vars-content-id="1fcb216e-82b1-4e77-8b8d-ca362774c59c" data-vars-headline="Seattle business tax rewrite ahead in early election returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/Vote/contests/ballotmeasures.aspx?lang=en-US&amp;cid=101794&amp;groupname=City" target="_blank">Proposition 2</a>, would raise <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="about $80 million" data-vars-click-url="https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/08/04/council-approves-mayor-harrell-signs-legislation-to-send-small-business-tax-relief-and-revenue-proposal-to-seattle-voters/" data-vars-content-id="1fcb216e-82b1-4e77-8b8d-ca362774c59c" data-vars-headline="Seattle business tax rewrite ahead in early election returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/08/04/council-approves-mayor-harrell-signs-legislation-to-send-small-business-tax-relief-and-revenue-proposal-to-seattle-voters/" target="_blank">about $80 million</a> per year, which city officials say is needed to help close a projected budget gap of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="about $140 million" data-vars-click-url="https://council.seattle.gov/2025/08/04/council-approves-business-occupation-bo-tax-rebalancing-proposal-for-november-ballot/" data-vars-content-id="1fcb216e-82b1-4e77-8b8d-ca362774c59c" data-vars-headline="Seattle business tax rewrite ahead in early election returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://council.seattle.gov/2025/08/04/council-approves-business-occupation-bo-tax-rebalancing-proposal-for-november-ballot/" target="_blank">about $140 million</a>.

Progressives could oust key Seattle incumbents in Tuesday's election

Three top Seattle incumbents trailed in the primary — now progressives are trying to unseat them.

Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/24/seattle-voter-guide-nov4-ballot-mayor-council-attorney" data-vars-content-id="5eb2580e-7e65-4d3d-b054-8b8b6c430851" data-vars-headline="Progressives could oust key Seattle incumbents in Tuesday&#x27;s election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/24/seattle-voter-guide-nov4-ballot-mayor-council-attorney" target="_self">election</a> could shift the direction of Seattle&#x27;s city government, as progressives appear on the verge of unseating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="incumbent mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/23/seattle-mayor-harrell-wilson-differences-housing-safety-homelessness" data-vars-content-id="5eb2580e-7e65-4d3d-b054-8b8b6c430851" data-vars-headline="Progressives could oust key Seattle incumbents in Tuesday&#x27;s election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/23/seattle-mayor-harrell-wilson-differences-housing-safety-homelessness" target="_self">incumbent mayor</a>, city council president and city attorney.The big picture: A stronger progressive foothold in City Hall could steer the city toward policies such as a citywide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="capital gains tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/03/24/washington-state-capital-gains-tax-upheld" data-vars-content-id="5eb2580e-7e65-4d3d-b054-8b8b6c430851" data-vars-headline="Progressives could oust key Seattle incumbents in Tuesday&#x27;s election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/03/24/washington-state-capital-gains-tax-upheld" target="_self">capital gains tax</a>, as well as new strategies for addressing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homelessness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/30/seattle-homelessness-housing-harrell-promise-shortfall" data-vars-content-id="5eb2580e-7e65-4d3d-b054-8b8b6c430851" data-vars-headline="Progressives could oust key Seattle incumbents in Tuesday&#x27;s election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/30/seattle-homelessness-housing-harrell-promise-shortfall" target="_self">homelessness</a> and housing affordability.

Lin, Ducksworth split on taxes in South Seattle council race

Lin and Ducksworth offer competing ideas on how Seattle should pay for public safety.

South Seattle is about to get new representation, in a race that could nudge the City Council leftward on issues of taxation and spending.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="open District 2" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/12/04/city-councilmember-tammy-morales-resigns" data-vars-content-id="b39381ed-0741-4aea-884a-78c49708abf9" data-vars-headline="Lin, Ducksworth split on taxes in South Seattle council race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/12/04/city-councilmember-tammy-morales-resigns" target="_self">open District 2</a> contest is one of three Seattle council races <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on the ballot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/24/seattle-voter-guide-nov4-ballot-mayor-council-attorney" data-vars-content-id="b39381ed-0741-4aea-884a-78c49708abf9" data-vars-headline="Lin, Ducksworth split on taxes in South Seattle council race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/24/seattle-voter-guide-nov4-ballot-mayor-council-attorney" target="_self">on the ballot</a> this year — all of which underscore a divide between candidates pushing new taxes on the wealthy and those focused more on public safety.

Your complete guide to Seattle's Nov. 4 election

From the mayor's seat to business taxes and child care, Seattle ballots are packed this fall.

Seattle voters are deciding high-profile races for mayor, City Council and city attorney in next week&#x27;s election, along with multiple tax measures.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s what you need to know about voting and what&#x27;s on the ballot.</li></ul>

What most divides Seattle's mayoral candidates

Harrell presents himself as experienced and steady; Wilson says he hasn't delivered on promises.

Ballots are out, and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is fighting to keep his seat against progressive organizer Katie Wilson, who outperformed him by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 10 percentage points" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/11/seattle-primary-2025-katie-wilson-majority-vote-harrell" data-vars-content-id="1ad719f9-f1bf-4735-bd45-55c19daebc5a" data-vars-headline="What most divides Seattle&#x27;s mayoral candidates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/11/seattle-primary-2025-katie-wilson-majority-vote-harrell" target="_self">nearly 10 percentage points</a> in the August primary.Why it matters: The Nov. 4 election will decide whether Seattle stays the course under Harrell — a former City Council member who has emphasized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downtown recovery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/15/seattle-plan-revitalize" data-vars-content-id="1ad719f9-f1bf-4735-bd45-55c19daebc5a" data-vars-headline="What most divides Seattle&#x27;s mayoral candidates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/15/seattle-plan-revitalize" target="_self">downtown recovery</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/22/seattle-mayor-harrell-floats-sales-tax-hike-to-expand-crisis-response" data-vars-content-id="1ad719f9-f1bf-4735-bd45-55c19daebc5a" data-vars-headline="What most divides Seattle&#x27;s mayoral candidates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/22/seattle-mayor-harrell-floats-sales-tax-hike-to-expand-crisis-response" target="_self">public safety</a> — or chooses Wilson&#x27;s further-left vision for making bigger public investments in housing and homelessness.

Seattle voters weigh business tax overhaul

Proposition 2 could reshape Seattle's business tax structure and help fill a major city budget gap.

Seattle voters will soon decide whether to hike taxes on some of the cities&#x27; largest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="businesses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/business" data-vars-content-id="afba386c-1b89-445f-a10a-695ab3c6e020" data-vars-headline="Seattle voters weigh business tax overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/business" target="_self">businesses</a>, while lowering what many smaller businesses pay.Why it matters: If voters approve <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Proposition 2" data-vars-click-url="https://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/Vote/contests/ballotmeasures.aspx?lang=en-US&amp;cid=101794&amp;groupname=City" data-vars-content-id="afba386c-1b89-445f-a10a-695ab3c6e020" data-vars-headline="Seattle voters weigh business tax overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/Vote/contests/ballotmeasures.aspx?lang=en-US&amp;cid=101794&amp;groupname=City" target="_blank">Proposition 2</a> on the Nov. 4 ballot, it will raise an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimated $81 million" data-vars-click-url="https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/08/04/council-approves-mayor-harrell-signs-legislation-to-send-small-business-tax-relief-and-revenue-proposal-to-seattle-voters/" data-vars-content-id="afba386c-1b89-445f-a10a-695ab3c6e020" data-vars-headline="Seattle voters weigh business tax overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/08/04/council-approves-mayor-harrell-signs-legislation-to-send-small-business-tax-relief-and-revenue-proposal-to-seattle-voters/" target="_blank">estimated $81 million</a> per year in additional tax revenue for the city — a crucial piece of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell&#x27;s plan to close a budget shortfall that will exceed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$140 million" data-vars-click-url="https://council.seattle.gov/2025/08/04/council-approves-business-occupation-bo-tax-rebalancing-proposal-for-november-ballot/" data-vars-content-id="afba386c-1b89-445f-a10a-695ab3c6e020" data-vars-headline="Seattle voters weigh business tax overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://council.seattle.gov/2025/08/04/council-approves-business-occupation-bo-tax-rebalancing-proposal-for-november-ballot/" target="_blank">$140 million</a> next year.

Where Seattle council candidates Nelson and Foster disagree most

The City Council election highlights sharp divides on issues including capital gains taxes and surveillance cameras.

Seattle City Council president Sara Nelson is in danger of losing her seat after trailing challenger Dionne Foster by more than 20 percentage points in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the August primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/06/seattle-primary-election-2025-incumbents-results-katie-wilson" data-vars-content-id="0ba11420-0732-4147-be3a-a54db758626a" data-vars-headline="Where Seattle council candidates Nelson and Foster disagree most" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/06/seattle-primary-election-2025-incumbents-results-katie-wilson" target="_self">the August primary</a>.Why it matters: The general election <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="will test" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/06/seattle-primary-results-harrell-davison-nelson-trail" data-vars-content-id="0ba11420-0732-4147-be3a-a54db758626a" data-vars-headline="Where Seattle council candidates Nelson and Foster disagree most" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/06/seattle-primary-results-harrell-davison-nelson-trail" target="_self">will test</a> whether voters want to stick with Nelson&#x27;s centrist, business-friendly politics — or embrace Foster&#x27;s progressive pitch on housing, policing and taxing the wealthy.

Wilson tops 50% in Seattle mayoral primary vote

Katie Wilson's majority in the top-two primary puts incumbent Bruce Harrell on the defensive.

Politics

Katie Wilson, the progressive organizer challenging Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, has widened her lead and now holds more than 50% of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Aug. 5 primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/06/seattle-primary-election-2025-incumbents-results-katie-wilson" data-vars-content-id="af2dae07-7b33-49a0-abb4-a26907cfd0a7" data-vars-headline="Wilson tops 50% in Seattle mayoral primary vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/06/seattle-primary-election-2025-incumbents-results-katie-wilson" target="_self">Aug. 5 primary</a> vote.Why it matters: While both candidates will advance to the November general election, Wilson winning an outright majority in the top-two primary signals <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="serious trouble" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/06/seattle-primary-election-2025-incumbents-results-katie-wilson" data-vars-content-id="af2dae07-7b33-49a0-abb4-a26907cfd0a7" data-vars-headline="Wilson tops 50% in Seattle mayoral primary vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/06/seattle-primary-election-2025-incumbents-results-katie-wilson" target="_self">serious trouble</a> for Harrell&#x27;s reelection bid.

Election 🗳️

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