(WSB photo: L-R, Stephen Brown, Maren Costa, Rob Saka, Phil Tavel, Preston Anderson)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

For the second time in five days, candidates for Seattle City Council District 1 answered questions side by side this afternoon. Five of the eight candidates participated in a forum presented by the 34th District Democrats at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge.

Like the King County Council D-8 forum that had preceded it (WSB coverage/video here), this one was a prelude to the 34th DDs’ endorsement meeting next week. Five of the candidates participated – Maren Costa, Preston Anderson, Rob Saka, Stephen Brown, and Phil Tavel; a sixth, Jean Iannelli Craciun, was expected, but sent a last-minute message citing a “scheduling conflict.”

Rachel Glass moderated the forum, asking questions the organization had planned in advance. Here’s our video:

For those who don’t want to – or have time to – watch the video, we also summarized their replies. Take note that our summaries do not represent everything they said, nor are they direct quotes unless you see words/phrases/sentences within quotation marks. We’re summarizing the questions, too.

First, self-introductions.

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Missed our candidate forum this past Tuesday and/or want another chance to see the City Council District 1 candidates? Tomorrow is your next chance – and as a bonus, it’s a doubleheader, also including the first local faceoff between the County Council District 8 candidates. The 34th District Democrats are presenting the forums Saturday afternoon as a prelude to their endorsement votes next week, but the forums are open to all. They’re happening at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), with County Council candidates Sofia Aragon (Burien mayor) and Teresa Mosqueda (at-large Seattle councilmember) at 1 pm, City Council D-1 candidates (we’re checking on their final RSVP list) at 2 pm. We’ll be recording both forums on video and will publish them Saturday night, as soon as they’re uploaded.

P.S. Next Wednesday (June 14th), there’s yet another chance to see the City Council candidates, also at Youngstown CAC, focusing on transportation, mobility, and climate issues, presented by a coalition of regional organizations; their forum starts at 5 pm and you can RSVP for in-person or online attendance here.

We promised we’d publish the video from tonight’s WSB/D1CN candidates’ forum as soon as it was uploaded, so here it is. We’ll be working on a separate story in the next few days with written highlights of the candidates’ replies to the 15+ questions we asked. As you’ll see in the video, after the introductions, the first question we asked was whether each candidate would be voted yes or no on the drug-law proposal that current councilmembers had voted down barely an hour earlier. The other questions were from submissions by the member organizations of the District 1 Community Network and WSB readers and were not previewed by the candidates. All 8 candidates participated – they were seated left to right in surname-alphabetical order:

Preston Anderson
Lucy Barefoot
Stephen Brown
Maren Costa
Jean Craciun
Mia Jacobson
Rob Saka
Phil Tavel

The forum was held at Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Walmesley Center; thank you to everyone who came to see them in person! You can also see the candidates in person during the next forum, 2 pm Saturday (June 10th) at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), presented by the 34th District Democrats, following a 1 pm forum with candidates for King County Council District 8.

ADDED: Since some prefer to read rather than watch, we promised summries of the replies. We’re adding them here rather than publishing a separate story. What follows is largely a summary; unless you see words/phrases/sentences inside quotation marks, they are not exact quotes.

Opening statements:

PRESTON ANDERSON: Crime, safety, homelessness, addiction are issues that have surfaced as he does door-to-door to talk with voters. He’s a clinical social worker and has dealt with all those issues. The City Council could benefit from the perspective of a clinician.

LUCY BAREFOOT: She is an outreach specialist with a background in economics and public affairs who wants to speak up for underserved communities.

STEPHEN BROWN: He calls himself “a mix of creativity and privatism” and thinks that’s “what Seattle needs right now.” He believes he can take ‘a workable plan to an operating entity.”

MAREN COSTA: She was a senior leader in tech for 25 years, managing big teams and big budgets “to get stuff done.” She challenged Amazon to act on climate change and “created a plan, delivered results.”

JEAN IANNELLI CRACIUN: She’s “been involved in politics my entire life.” She would be the first LGBTQ District 1 councilmember since by-district elections began in 2015.

MIA JACOBSON: She has “three small children” so she is thinking into the future. “We have outgrown the system of representation itself” and need to explore new ways.

ROB SAKA: He is a veteran and “public-safety advocate” who says “the public-safety situation is out of hand” and supports hiring more police and building more affordable housing. He wants to “get stuff done that works for all of us.”

PHIL TAVEL: He says “we need a city councilperson who is going to prioritize public service over politics.” He has ben a judge, teacher, business owner. He believes “we can change, we can bring back the things we know and love about this city.”

Questions followed. With the exception of the first one – a late addition because it referred to a much-watched City Council vote that had happened less than an hour before the forum – they were adapted from questions sent by both WSB readers and members of D1CN organizations. They were not provided to the candidates in advance. We allotted 30 seconds for answers in order to get to as many questions/issues as possible, knowing this might be the only opportunity for these candidates to be asked about some D1-specific matters.

First, the late add: That evening, councilmembers had just rejected, on a 5 no/4 yes vote, a proposal to have city code match the new state law criminalizing drug possession. We asked the candidates to say whether they would have voted yes or no on the proposal. Results: Tavel, Saka, Brown, Barefoot, and Anderson said they would have voted “yes”; Jacobson, Craciun, and Costa said they would have voted “no.”

Second question: With the enlarged D-1 map, how will you handle microconcerns?

ANDERSON – Already familiar with other areas of the district – Pioneer Square nightlife, SODO industry, Georgetown nightlife.

BAREFOOT – Lived and worked in other areas of the district – public safety, homelessness need to be addressed via root causes.

BROWN – District representation in councilmember’s office is important.

COSTA – Want to make sure there are more-accessible forums for everybody to more easily engage.

CRACIUN – Very excited about multicultural communities comprising district. She’s been engaging with Pioneer Square in particular.

JACOBSON – We’ve outgrown current system of representation and need technological way for 24/7 digital public comment, more digital town halls.

SAKA – Rather than thinking we’re divided and different, collaborate and find common ground to get stuff done that works for all.

TAVEL – Balance is difficult but important and he’ll be there as will “my amazing team.” Says he can go out and be there for people.

Third question: Georgetown & South Park are communities in need of economic and environmental justice. How will you advocate for their unique needs?

BAREFOOT – Language access. She’ll increase it and engage with as many people as she can.

BROWN – Councilmember will have to go there and reach out actively to ensure all voices are heard.

COSTA – Environmental justice and climate justice are incredibly important – will work with community members to decide where to spend.

CRACIUN – She created and founded Diversity Center of WA. Believes in communities speaking in their own voices.

JACOBSON – Can’t speak for BIPOC community, but they too can access technology and speak for themselves.

SAKA – Comes from a historically marginalized/disadvantaged community. Lives in Delridge. Understands firsthand what it’s like.

TAVEL – He has advocated for so many as a public defender and in community issues like bridge closure and South Park tides.

ANDERSON – Working with 34th District Democrats, he spent a lot of time in South Park recruiting PCOs and can build on that work.

Fourth question – Should we have a moratorium on new/expanded levies?

BROWN – No. Hopes housing levy will pass, transportation levy too. They’re a successful mechanism for funding things that need to be funded outside regular budgeting.

COSTA – Housing levy important. Would like to see new progressive revenue sources explored – like a vacancy tax.

CRACIUN – We need to look at it all with accountability, transparency, and efficiencies. She’d research and understand and take action.

JACOBSON – Yes, if public doesn’t have direct access and can’t give meaningful input on them.

SAKA – No moratorium that would circumvent the will of voters and a transparent process. Does support being “more efficient and effective with dollars we do spend.”

TAVEL – Not a time for a moratorium on levies but would like to see a moratorium on waste, government spending poorly, and giving to people spending inefficiently.

ANDERSON – No. But accountability, transparency, measurable outcomes important. Would implement measurable standards.

BAREFOOT – No. But Seattle needs to spend more responsibility and invest in self-sustaining programs. She’ll watch spending carefully.

Fifth question – Should West Seattle light rail be scrapped?

COSTA – We need to invest in public transportation and get people to use it. Maybe something sooner, but light rail – once it’s built, we’ll realize we can’t get along without this.

CRACIUN – Yes, a lot has changed. Will we continue with it just because we said we would?

JACOBSON – That decision would “require immense investigation by the public.” So we need a way for everyone to speak “in a meaningful way in public view.”

SAKA – No. We need to “expand our flexible transit options …” and biking options, and space for “people to travel in cars if they choose.”

TAVEL – No. But we do need to ensure the environmental impact report doesn’t claim that no buildings are affected – need to be intelligent about it but not scrap it.

ANDERSON – No. In 2015 King County studied extending it through White Center and Burien, I’d want to study that expansion.

BAREFOOT – Yes. “Elevated concrete structures continue to fail. If you cannot give us a tunnel, then scrap it.”

BROWN – No. Has lived in dense transit-rich places without a car. Wants everyone to be able to get around without a car (if they choose to).

Sixth question – City’s climate plan calls for fewer car trips. How will you encourage that?

CRACIUN – Make buses more bike-friendly. Think more seriously about the “15-minute community.”

JACOBSON – 15-minute community sounds amazing but it’s such a huge issue, we can’t just put a band-aid on part of it. “if we had a process that’s publicly accessible, we could access data” of people using all modes.

SAKA – Need to expand flexible options and incentivize people to reduce driving,. Transit needs to be safer.

TAVEL – Supports free ORCA card for all students and people of certain income levels. Son and I will bike around neighborhood visibly.

ANDERSON Increase bike corridors, more transit like small electric shuttles, increase bus access.

BAREFOOT – Runs successful voter education/outreach program and has success giving people options. Incentivize employers to give employees ORCA cards. Need more bike lanes.

BROWN – Support incentivizing moving around city many ways. His bagel business offers ORCA cards to employees. Must recognize topographical challenges

COSTA Make transit safe, accessible, convenient. If you do, people will ride it.

Seventh question – How would you address Admiral area’s transit shortage?

JACOBSON – Give everybody a forum to speak in a meaningful way. Current process does not allow for it.

SAKA – Would like to hear more from Admiral communities about what’s been suspended and why. Would be “best advocate I can be.”

TAVEL – Good bus system but could be so much better, here’s an example why.

ANDERSON – Deploy smaller electric shuttles deeper into communities. Get feedback from communities.

BAREFOOT – Lived in Admiral and was a bus rider – “in peak hours those buses were packed.” Need to take advantage of what we have.

BROWN – Worked for a transit agency, was involved in ORCA card introduction, would like to learn more about improving Admiral service, restoring pre-COVID levels.

COSTA – Wants to see data on underserved areas. We are a water town ane could have electric foot ferries running everywhere like San Francisco.

CRACIUN – Has adult and teen kids who provide ample feedback on what’s not working with the bus system. “I listen to the kids.”

Eighth question: When the Fauntleroy ferry dock is rebuilt, would you support expanding its over-water portion?

SAKA – Yes. We need to expand infrastructure to expand capacity.

TAVEL – Yes. Maybe add a youth-education center to teach kids about the water.

ANDERSON – Yes. Need to ensure we’re running an efficient system.

BAREFOOT – Yes, for people traveling to and from Vashon.

BROWN – Yes, important to invest in infrastructure, but not too familiar with this issue.

COSTA – Yes, would like to see terminal become world-class green construction terminal. Electric ferries. More amenities.

CRACIUN – Lives not far from the dock and experiencing early-morning traffic. Supports expansion but need to talk to neighbors about it.

JACOBSON – Everyone is in favor of improvement but the issue is how we approach it – people know how to solve it but need access to system.

Ninth question – Police are short-staffed and that won’t change quickly. How could SPD be most efficient with current resources?

TAVEL – Need better partnership with city council, city attorney, etc., to figure that out.

ANDERSON – Prioritize recruiting efforts, hire non-police crisis responders.

BAREFOOT – Hiring and training are slow. Sensitivity to diversity is important.

BROWN – Tough question, solvable by working with police union, mayor’s office, council. Not aware of current inefficiencies.

COSTA – Need to ensure Seattle is best place on planet to be a police officer but also need to stand up alternative responses to help take burden off SPD.

CRACIUN – She’s a sociologist with criminology focus. Need to talk to police more. Officer told us infrastructure for training is lacking.

JACOBSON – Working system must be transparent to be held accountable. Otherwise it’s not sustainable. No one is against a functioning public-safety officer. Need to find out why people are losing trust.

SAKA – Public safety issue is out of hand. Need to hire more police and empower them. But need alternative responses too.

Tenth question – Should people consider you the “law and order candidate”? Why/why not?

ANDERSON – Clinician’s perspective is vital.

BAREFOOT – No, although “I do support our police and public safety … There’s so much we can do as prevention” – address root causes.

BROWN – Not sure how to answer but his bagel shop was across from SPD precinct during George Floyd (aftermath) protests, was under pressure to speak negatively about police but didn’t.

COSTA – Would “prefer to be known as the holistic public-safety candidate … we can lead with compassion and still refuse to tolerate” bad behavior.

CRACIUN – She’s the “very pragmatic … researcher, sociologist, studying” candidate.

JACOBSON -No but would like to be considered logical, common sense, functional candidate. Need more data.

SAKA – What does “law and order” mean? As a Black man in this country, he’s experienced police brutality firsthand. But also has seen police acting nobly – would hire more, and hold them accountable.

TAVEL – “I want to be the criminal justice candidate.” Spent years as a public defender fighting for justice. Police need to be more “protect and serve” than “enforce and punish.”

Eleventh question – After (then-recent) unsolved shootings, say you’re a councilmember and a constituent said, “What are you going to do about this?” what would you say?

BAREFOOT – There are resources for victims. “We can do better and I can do better.”

BROWN – “I would join the person in their pain, listen to them, ask them how I could be of service.”

COSTA – “We can do better. We need to invest more in gun violence prevention programs. We don’t have an excuse for this, we need to fight on all fronts the fact that we have the highest rates of gun violence in the world.”

CRACIUN – “Shooting and shots-fired events were at all time high in 2022. I would work for (constituents) to solve whatever problems they were concerned about regarding the situation.” Need to be there for them.

JACOBSON – Technology is amoral. In order to have direct access to legislation, we need to have a real movement of community empowerment … because of the trauma we’re all experiencing.”

SAKA – “One of the communities bearing the brunt is my community, Delridge. I understand what it’s like. I lost an uncle to gun violence. We need to do everything.”

TAVEL – “The rise in gun violence is completely unacceptable … I would immediately be on the phone to SW Precinct commander to find out what’s being done, show up and talk to people affected …” and ensure resources are deployed.

ANDERSON – “I would listen to person to validate their concerns, then hold a forum to brief the community.” Must ensure appropriate investigative resources.

Twelfth question – How big an issue is homelessness in D-1 compared to the rest of the city?

BROWN – Doesn’t have the data but it’s profoundly affecting the people in D-1, in our urban villages and on our streets, so that’s what matters and “I would roll up my sleeves and work on it.”

COSTA – It’s a problem not only in our district but in our city. People are afraid to go downtown. It also affects our unhoused neighbors. Must increase affordable housing dramatically.

CRACIUN – Displacement is caused by large migration of poeople and problem is not enough places for people to live. Camp Second Chance is a successful solution … we have a lot of work to do.

JACOBSON – Remembers first time she saw a homeless person; the population is the most valuable resource to show how the system fails the community. People need direct access to the legislative process.

SAKA – Profound problem throughout D-1. Everyone deserves access to affordable housing and basic shelter, so he supports addressing root cause but we need to address symptoms as well.

TAVEL – Must understand we have many more homeless people by expanding the district, need to do so much more to get people into supportive housing and shelters.

ANDERSON – Have worked with the VA health system, which has reduced homelessness, so it’s doing something right. Need to improve clinically appropriate housing.

BAREFOOT – With expansion of district, homelessness crisis in D-1 has expanded, but the root causes are the real problems – every time there’s a sweep, that’s a displacement, but where are people moving? Need to work with KCRHA.

Thirteenth question – Describe one successful way to address homelessness.

COSTA – “Homelessness is a housing problem,” so build housing/shelter of all types.

CRACIUN – “Understand it.” It’s not just about alcohol/drug/mental problems – focus on “what people need from us, and what they need is a safe place to live. … 30 percent of houseless people are working people.”

JACOBSON – “Create a system that restores their humanity.”

SAKA – “As a former foster kid, I know what it’s like to be uprooted and swept away … we must do better for our unoused neiighbors,” can’t let them “live in squalor,” get them out of tents and RVs, get services.

TAVEL – Biggest problem “is calling this a problem of unaffordable housing … it’s not.” A friend’s brother is chronically homeless and he’s talked with him a lot.

ANDERSON – Complex issue – “25 to 30 percent have psychiatric and/or substance disorders … an expensive population to treat” so outreach must be extended.

BAREFOOT – “They’re all human beings, we’re all human beings, see each other (that way) … love thy neighbor … we need to uplift them, give them the tools they need to succeed.”

BROWN – “The one single tactic is a frame of mind, ‘housing first,’ next to impossible to lift out of your present situation if you don’t know where you’re going to sleep …” or don’t have a place to store your stuff.

Fourteenth question – Morgan Junction has two vacant city-owned spaces [future park expansion and future EV-charging lot] that are vacant, their future uses years away. What should be done with them in the meantime?

CRACIUN – At the Morgan space, allow a skatepark. “Let’s get creative and have fun … and involve the kids.”

JACOBSON – “We should have a community discussion and ask the community what they would like to see there.” Need to be able to access goverhment 24 hours a day for that discussion.

SAKA – “Starting point … listening and learning from the people of Morgan Junction.” Says he’s done a lot of that lately while doorbelling.

TAVEL – “Having been VP of Morgan Community Association …there’s a wonderful plan to put a skate park there” though there are liability issues – thee are things we can do in meantime.

ANDERSON – Should have a regular forum to hear from community members to figure it out.

BAREFOOT – Community “knows better, they know what they want,” hear from them in more convenient times and days.

BROWN – “I would echo panel’s thoughts on have it be driven by Morgan Junction folks,” biased toward social infrastructure as it’s a passion of his.

COSTA – “I would listen to the community as well …also would be great to bring ideas to the community, could we have a design challenge? Something fun and bring ideas to the community?”

Fifteenth question – The city’s commitment to urban creeks has eroded and they’re being treated more like drainage than habitats. Would you collaborate with the community?

JACOBSON – Yes. “A common sense will arise” of clean water and a place to live as a collaborative system arises.

SAKA – We all need access to clean natural environments – would like to hear SPU’s perspective. Lives next to Longfellow Creek.

TAVEL – Would bring in experts – has worked with Green Spaces Coalition, which has incredible environment, climate change experts; city needs to do more to bring in experts.

ANDERSON – Yes, important to preserve integrity and respect the committed citizens..

BAREFOOT – Yes, reach out to experts, put them at the same table and discuss all the D-1 creeks. Also emphasizes that we’re on Duwamish land and need to consult with (the tribe), which has stewarded the land for centuries.

BROWN – As councilmember for D-1 you represent land not just people – collaboration important.

COSTA – Completely agree with engaging the Duwamish people – looking at the river, we know it’s a lot more expensive to clean it up than to keep it clean in first place, “let’s not lose any more of our natural environment.”

CRACIUN – Lived in Alaska a long time – places like this were treasured – the fact that ours are in disrepair is upsetting – definitely need to bring indigenous people into the conversation and make a plan.

Sixteenth question – Woud you propose an election asking White Center/unincorporated North Highline residents if they want to be annexed to Seattle?

SAKA – Would poll D-1 residents first to see what they want.

TAVEL – After talking with Top Hat group, it does come down to what does potential annexees want. If the people there want to be annexed, I’m all for it.

ANDERSON – Absolutely important to engage communities that would be affected, first.

BAREFOOT – Before annexation conversation, needs to be big outreach to find out what they want.

BROWN – Not much to add – if WC folks are interested in being part of Seattle, their reasons and voices need to be heard.

COSTA – White Center’s just one small piece of what we’re facing – we’ll eventually be wall to wall city between Seattle and Portland – need to build out services, connect all these communities.

CRACIUN – Was at WC Pride the preceding weekend. Topic came up in various spots, regarding pros and cons. Just keep engaging community.

JACOBSON – Lived in WC for three years. Most love being unincorporated. Type of change my campaign suggests is cutting-edge approach to “problems that are only getting worse” otehrwise.

Seventeenth and final question – Civic engagement seems low these days – does city government have any role in changing that – what would you do?

TAVEL – Would like to see more council meetings available on Zoom, weekends, evenings, let people record their testimony and submit it; he’ll have monthly meetings and will show up at all neighborhood meetings,

ANDERSON – Wants to have regular forums throughout D-1 – format is pretty critical – social work-y folks talking with each other, not talking at an official.

BAREFOOT – Hybrid and remote meetings help – D1 is very diverse so we need to address every community differently, increase language access, support education.

BROWN – When he goes door to door, people say they are afraid and anxious and nervous, those are barriers to involvement, I let them keep talking.

COSTA – We may be seeing a dip but “what gives me such hope is passion in the younger generations – I would start there and bring them in every way we could … we could get people inspired that way.”

CRACIUN – Asks people at the forum to say hi to people they don’t know. “We need to do this kind of stuff, get together, talk about things you want to talk about.”

JACOBSON – This question speaks to my generation – “our voices don’t matter,” she had many barriers trying to interact with government previously. One thing she would change is that she would require reps to answer questions

SAKA – Education and advocacy. Has served on some boards and commissions. We need people to participate in more of those.

After hours of passionate public comment and councilmember speeches, the City Council voted this evening to reject a proposal to match city law with the new state law regarding drug possession. The vote was 4 yes, 5 no. Voting yes were Council President Debora Juarez and Councilmembers Sara Nelson, Alex Pedersen, and Dan Strauss. The “no” votes included West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who noted that the mayor and police chief have said that drug sales and trafficking are their enforcement priority. Herbold also said she has no faith to believe the City Attorney’s Office will individualize its dealings with people who would be arrested under this law, because of the recent unilateral decision to stop involvement with the Community Court program. City Attorney Ann Davison, who had co-sponsored the proposal that the Council rejected, said afterward in a news release that “Seattle will now be the only municipality in the State of Washington where it is legal to use hard drugs in public.” Herbold fired back in her own news release calling that “an inexcusable mischaracterization of the law. As a result of Governor Inslee’s special session, the legislature approved a bill that adopts a statewide standard of gross misdemeanor for both possession and public consumption. This means that there is now a clear, statewide standard, and there is not a patchwork of differing regulations across the state. This state law will be effective in Seattle on July 1. Nothing the Council does, or does not do, can affect that.” Here’s video of the meeting:

Now less than 24 hours remain until your first chance to see the Seattle City Council District 1 candidates side by side. WSB and the District 1 Community Network are presenting an in-person Q&A candidate forum tomorrow night (Tuesday, Jun 6), 6:45 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle), following a 6 pm community-info fair. Questions have been submitted in advance by D1CN member organizations and WSB readers (thank you!). If you can’t be there in person, we’re planning to have video by night’s end. All 8 candidates (here’s the list on the King County Elections website) have RSVP’d; ballots will be mailed in just five weeks, so if you don’t already have a favorite, we hope this will help.

All 8 of the candidates who will be on your ballot for Seattle City Council District 1 have now RSVP’d for our first forum next Tuesday (June 6th). The election isn’t as far away as it might seem – King County Elections will mail ballots July 12th, and dropboxes open the next day, so voting starts in just six weeks. If you haven’t already decided who you’re voting for in the primary, come see them side by side at what we promise will be a fast-paced forum, so we can get in as many questions as possible. Thanks to everyone who sent suggestions when we requested them! The forum is a two-part event, starting at 6 pm Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s expansive Walmesley Center (northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle) – at 6 pm, come in and meet local neighborhood group reps from the District 1 Community Network‘s member organizations (D1CN is co-presenting the forum); at 6:45, the candidates take the stage. We’re inviting them to come a bit early and to hang around while we’re breaking down the room afterward, to meet prospective constituents. If you can’t be there, we’re planning to video-record it and publish it here.

(City of Seattle map showing District 1’s new boundaries)

We’re now just six days away from our first forum in the City Council District 1 race, next Tuesday (June 6), 6:45 pm (after a 6 pm neighborhood-info fair). Seven of the eight candidates have confirmed they’ll be there – in first-name alphabetical order:

Jean Iannelli Craciun
Maren Costa
Mia Jacobson
Phil Tavel
Preston Anderson
Rob Saka
Stephen Brown

You’re welcome to come see the candidates answer questions in person; the forum will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (northeast corner of 35th and Myrtle) – we’re video-recording it too so you can watch later if you can’t be there. Potential questions are welcome in advance; the District 1 Community Network, which is collaborating with WSB to present the forum, is asking its member organizations for question suggestions, and we’re asking you. Thanks to everyone who’s sent them so far; if you have one, please send it to our general email address, westseattleblog@gmail.com, and please indicate in the subject line that it’s a candidate-forum question. Primary election voting starts in just six weeks – ballots are scheduled to be mailed July 12th.

Though Friday was the last day to file, King County Elections briefly listed a surprise 9th candidate for Seattle City Council District 1 on its website Wednesday [screenshot]: Vincent Auger, whose mailing and email addresses cross-referenced to the local Socialist Workers Party HQ. Some hours after we spotted that, the list went back to the previous eight, whose names will appear on the ballot in this order:

Lucy Barefoot
Stephen Brown
Jean Iannelli Craciun
Rob Saka
Preston Anderson
Maren Costa
Mia Jacobson
Phil Tavel

We asked KCE about the mysterious, short-lived “ninth candidate” and got the answer this morning from spokesperson Halei Watkins, who said Auger “is a declared write-in candidate for D1 but he should not appear on the website as a listed candidate.” (Nor on the ballot, though as always there’ll be a line where you can write in anyone you want.)

Meantime, we are now 12 days away from our first in-person forum in the race, Tuesday, June 6, at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (35th/Myrtle). We’ve invited all eight candidates who formally filed. We’re presenting the forum in collaboration with the District 1 Community Network; the coalition’s organizations have been invited to submit questions, and we’re also opening that invitation to you – send suggested questions to westseattleblog@gmail.com and please put D-1 CANDIDATE QUESTION in the subject line. We plan to get more questions and answers during the forum by keeping strict time limits. If you want to be there to see and hear the candidates for yourself, doors will open at 6 pm for an informal community information fair, and the forum will start at 6:45 pm. Voting starts when you get your ballot after they’re mailed July 12th, and ends August 1st.

Two more people filed today to run for Seattle City Council District 1, as King County Elections’ Filing Week concluded, and the fields for our three major no-incumbent races are finalized – unless somebody withdraws by the Monday deadline. From the KCE list, here are the lineups, linked to candidates’ websites if available:

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1 – 8 candidates

Preston Anderson (Wednesday)
Lucy Barefoot (Friday)
Stephen Brown (Monday)
Maren Costa (Tuesday)
Jean Iannelli Craciun (Monday)
Mia Jacobson (Friday)
Rob Saka (Monday)
Phil Tavel (Wednesday)

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DISTRICT 6 – 3 candidates

Rosie McCarter (Monday)
Gina Topp (Tuesday)
Maryanne Wood (Wednesday)

KING COUNTY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 8 – 3 candidates

Sofia Aragon (Tuesday)
GoodSpaceGuy (Tuesday)
Teresa Mosqueda (Monday)

Since each of these races has three or more candidates, they’ll all be on the August 1st ballot – unless a withdrawal takes one of the races down to two. Your chances to see candidates in person include two forums coming up – we’re presenting one to which all the City Council D-1 candidates will be invited, in the evening on June 6th; the 34th District Democrats plan an afternoon double bill on June 10th, with the D-1 candidates and the County Council D-8 candidates. We’re also contacting all this week’s new entrants to find out more about them.

One day left in King County Elections‘ Filing Week. No one new filed today to run for the three major local offices whose incumbents are leaving – Seattle City Council District 1, King County Council District 8, and Seattle School Board District 6 – so the lineups, so far, are the same ones we reported last night. Anyone still planning to jump into the race for any of those (or other) offices has until 4 pm Friday to file; here’s how. Primary Election Day is August 1st.

Time for our nightly update on who’s officially filed for the three major local offices that’ll be on the ballot this fall without incumbents. This was the third day of King County Elections’ Filing Week, which ends at 4 pm Friday. From the running list, here’s the update:

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1
After two more filings today, all six of the people who previously announced plans to run have filed.

Preston Anderson (Wednesday)
Stephen Brown (Monday)
Maren Costa (Tuesday)
Jean Iannelli Craciun (Monday)
Rob Saka (Monday)
Phil Tavel (Wednesday)

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DISTRICT 6
Three people are running, after another filing today.

Rosie McCarter (Monday)
Gina Topp (Tuesday)
Maryanne Wood (Wednesday)

KING COUNTY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 8
No new filings today.

Sofia Aragon (Tuesday)
GoodSpaceGuy (Tuesday)
Teresa Mosqueda (Monday)

Since each of these races has three or more candidates, they’ll all be on the August 1st ballot. Filing for these offices or others up for election this fall can be done online until that 4 pm Friday (May 19th) deadline.

As we’ve been reporting, candidates interested in this fall’s local elections have to formally file by 4 pm Friday. King County Elections is publishing a running list, so we’re noting the local highlights each evening:

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DISTRICT 6
Rosie McCarter (Monday)
Gina Topp (Tuesday)

Topp is the newest to join the race for the seat Leslie Harris is leaving. She is legal counsel for the King County Executive’s Office and a former chair of the 34th District Democrats, currently the organization’s parliamentarian.

KING COUNTY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 8
Sofia Aragon (Tuesday)
GoodSpaceGuy (Tuesday)
Teresa Mosqueda (Monday)

We’ve already reported on the candidacies of Burien Mayor Aragon and Seattle City Councilmember Mosqueda. Also filing today was perennial candidate GoodSpaceGuy.

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1
Stephen Brown (Monday)
Maren Costa (Tuesday)
Jean Iannelli Craciun (Monday)
Rob Saka (Monday)

Costa, who filed today, is, as are the three who filed Monday, one of the six who had already announced plans to run.

Again, if you’re interested in running for one of these (or other offices up for election this fall), here’s how; filing deadline is 4 pm Friday (May 19th).

As previewed, today is the first day of King County Elections‘ Filing Week – five days for candidates to officially get onto the August ballot (or November if two or fewer file for an office). Online filing is open around the clock through 4 pm Friday; KCE is posting twice-daily updates here. For the three local offices whose incumbents aren’t running again, here’s who’s filed so far:

City Council District 1 – Stephen Brown, Jean Iannelli Craciun, Rob Saka
County Council District 8 – Teresa Mosqueda
School Board District 6 – Rosie McCarter

If you’re interested in running for one of these (or other offices up for election this fall), here’s how.

If you want to run for our area’s open Seattle City Council, King County Council, or Seattle Public Schools Board seats, last call! Tomorrow starts King County Elections‘ five-day Filing Week for the August 1st primary. Some candidates already have registered campaigns with the state Public Disclosure Commission, but they’re not officially on the ballot unless they follow the procedures for filing between 9 am tomorrow and 4 pm Friday (May 19th). So far, as we’ve reported, the City Council District 1 seat that Lisa Herbold is leaving has had seven campaigns registered (though only six of those candidates – Preston Anderson, Stephen Brown, Maren Costa, Jean Iannelli Craciun, Rob Saka, and Phil Tavel – have announced candidacies); the County Council District 8 seat that Joe McDermott is leaving has two campaigns registered, those of Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon and Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda; and the Seattle School Board District 6 seat that Leslie Harris is leaving has one registered candidate so far, RoseLynne McCarter. Interested in running for something? Here’s info on the KC Elections site. We’ll publish updates all week on who files.

P.S. Everyone who files this week for City Council D-1 will be invited to the forum we’re presenting June 6th at the OLG Walmesley Center (35th/Myrtle), in-person and online, with a neighborhood-organization info fair at 6 pm and the forum starting by 7 pm. The 34th District Democrats are presenting forums for City Council D-1 and County Council D-8 from 1 pm to 4 pm June 10th at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).

Mayor Bruce Harrell is just wrapping up almost 3 hours in West Seattle. It was a two-part visit, so we’ll present two reports, starting with his first stop, Fairmount Park Elementary, where Seattle Public Schools superintendent Dr. Brent Jones joined him (top photo). It’s Teacher Appreciation Week around the visit, so the mayor stopped in two classrooms – first, Molly Sisson‘s third-graders, who sang their class song:

“That song was FIRE!” enthused Harrell, who has three children and two grandchildren and was in full dad mode as he interacted with the students. They had questions, too – “can you make laws?” (no, but he can propose them) – “what’s your favorite part of the city?” (diplomatically, he said he couldn’t choose just one part of Seattle’s 84 square miles) – “have you visited Ukraine?” (no, but he recently met with five Ukrainian mayors, and pronounced them “such brave people”).

The visit was coordinated by the Fairmount Park PTA, whose president, Alicia Saka (below right), helped usher the mayor around. Also present was her husband, City Council District 1 candidate Rob Saka, and city Education and Early Learning director Dr. Dwane Chappelle.

In Becky Christl’s fifth-grade classroom, no song, but the students had more questions. What’s his favorite book? “Talking to Strangers” by Malcolm Gladwell. Does he like pizza? Yes, pepperoni and cheese. Then one student wanted to know why Harrell had turned down a chance to go to Harvard. He said he didn’t want to leave Seattle, although he advised, “If you ever get accepted to Harvard, you might want to (go).” A few questions about his job, too:

What’s the most cause for reflection? “Recruiting good police officers” and finding shelter for people living in tents. How does he plan on “reactivating downtown Seattle”? He said it’s important to get treatment for people with drug problems, but overall, it’s vital to make downtown “cool.” He was also asked for an autograph.

At one point, the mayor described his work to students as, “My job is to keep you safe.” That duty came more into view on the second part of the visit, a walking tour stopping at five Junction businesses. We’ll have that part of the story later. The mayor’s staff says today’s visit is part of a series of “Community Connections” tours that also have taken him to the University District, Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill, and Lake City.

The next countywide levy vote has been finalized: The King County Council voted this afternoon to send the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy renewal to voters on the August 1st primary ballot. Though there were various proposals to change the amount, our area’s County Councilmember Joe McDermott confirms that the originally proposed 10 cents per $1,000 assessed value is what he and his colleagues approved. As originally noted in February, this renews a six-year levy that expires this year. Here again is how the original announcement’s one-sheet summarized the levy’s intent:

If renewed, the levy will:
• Fund permanent supportive housing, specifically for veterans
• Keep reducing veteran homelessness
• Expand investments in the human services workforce
• Double current funding for senior centers
• Maintain access to counseling and mental health supports for veterans and seniors
• Dedicate King County staff to strengthen resident and resource connections
• Deepen community-centered programming for survivors of gender-based violence

The 10 cents per $1,000 assessed value is the same rate as the expiring version of the levy as passed by voters in 2017. You can read the full legislation (and see all the alternatives that were proposed) here.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With two weeks left until the formal filing period for the August 1st primary, seven people have registered campaigns for City Council District 1, and six are actually campaigning.

We’ve already brought you introductory “candidate chats” with five of those six – Rob Saka (February 19th), Maren Costa (February 26th), Phil Tavel (March 5th), Preston Anderson (March 12th), and Stephen Brown (March 19th). Tonight, the most-recent candidate to join – Jean Iannelli Craciun. We wrote on April 20th about her campaign’s “soft-launch.” On Friday, we sat down with her at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse – like the others, this was a half-hour “get to know you” chat:

If you can’t, or don’t want to, watch the conversation, here are the toplines:

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The second count is in for the one-issue special election, a nine-year King County property-tax levy to raise $1.25 billion for addressing behavioral health, primarily by building five crisis-care centers. “Approve” picked up a bit of ground after this count – the totals now round to 55 percent approving, 45 percent rejecting. This represents 24 percent of all registered voters, with KCE having received 30 percent of all voters’ ballots so far. They’ll continue releasing daily counts until the results are certified next month.