One more day for candidates to file for the August 6th primary. Here’s who’s filed so far for local offices, listed in order of when they filed:

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1
Brendan Kolding
Lisa Herbold*
Phil Tavel

KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8
Joe McDermott*
Goodspaceguy
Michael Robert Neher

SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 6
Molly Mitchell
Leslie Harris*
Crystal Liston

See the full list of filings for offices around King County here. After filing ends tomorrow afternoon, KC Elections will draw for the order in which candidates will appear on the August 6th primary ballot.

Both of today’s King County Elections updates are posted, with three days down, two to go in this year’s Filing Week. In the Seattle City Council District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) race, incumbent Lisa Herbold has filed, joining Brendan Kolding on the path to the August 6th primary-election ballot. Another local position, King County Council District 8 (which includes West Seattle and White Center), has an incumbent – Joe McDermott – and a challenger – Goodspaceguy. Same goes for Seattle School Board Position 6 (West Seattle/South Park), with incumbent Leslie Harris filing today, following challenger Molly Mitchell. See the full list of who’s filed for what so far by going here.

After three months of campaigning, entrepreneur Jesse Greene announced tonight that he’s leaving the District 1 City Council race, and endorsing one of the remaining candidates, Phil Tavel:

As of May 1st, 2019, I have decided to suspend my campaign for Seattle City Council, District 1. While I am more grateful than I can effectively express to all of my volunteers, donors, and the countless voters I have had the pleasure to meet with; the current timing of some personal and business matters require my immediate attention. The positive dialog that our team has injected into this race would not have been possible without those that have been willing to sacrifice themselves to serve their community. Thank you.

A candidacy that is not able to place the voters first is not what I believe is best for Seattle and the residents in my district; therefore, I believe stepping down now, prior to the filing date, is best for the community as a whole. I will continue to serve as the Welcome Chair of the 34th Democrats to ensure everyone is welcome and knows that their voice is important. I will also continue to proudly serve on the State Advisory Council on Homelessness to do everything I can to make positive influence in this area. We can all make a huge impact on those not housed if we decide to depoliticize the epidemic and humanize those that are facing this hardship. Lastly, I commit to do everything that is in my power to ensure we have a continued vibrant economy in Seattle. Business and entrepreneurship are the key mechanisms of defeating classism within our community and they can be the great equalizer if everyone has an opportunity to let their hard work shine.

From the bottom of my heart, I am sincerely thankful for the experience in taking part in our representative republic. Everyone’s participation in a communal effort for civic responsibility leads to a place that ensures radical inclusion for us all. I encourage all to do what they can to make Seattle a beautiful place to live. Right now, I still firmly believe that we need a change in City Hall. For too long we have been complacent in allowing individuals to make policy without have real lived experience. Our system is broken and if you really want change, you need to have different people leading the way. While I appreciate the service of those that have dedicated themselves in the past, what we have right now is broken.

Seattle’s homeless issue is out of control, our spending & tax policy is out of control, and our drug dependency issue is out of control. Our citizens do not feel safe and do not feel like they have a voice. I agree with many, many people that now is the time for change. That is why I have decided to strongly endorse Phil Tavel for Seattle City Council, District 1.

While I know that this might come as a shock to some, this is something I believe is necessary. Now is not the time for egos or for hard feelings because Phil and I did not agree on everything in the race. Now is the time to say that we require someone with the compassion needed to humanize problems, who comes to the table with new solutions, and ensures that everyone has an opportunity to express their positions. Just because someone descents from your views, it does not mean their voice is not valid.

To me, Phil Tavel is our best opportunity to bring reason back into City Hall decision making. He has the business experience needed to make sound economic decisions and to be fiscally pragmatic with how money is spent. He cares about creating an environment that welcomes all but knows accountability and transparency in all aspects of government are essential. I encourage all of my supporters and those that want change to consider Phil as the best representative for our community.

Thank you to my wife, my children, my family, and all my friends for the sacrifices endured during this time. I am also moved by all those that have supported my candidacy and want them to know I will continue to fight for those most vulnerable in our community. Let’s ensure that compassionate hearts and clear heads are leading our beautiful city into the future.

Greene’s departure leaves four candidates who have registered campaigns – Tavel, incumbent Lisa Herbold, and challengers Brendan Kolding and Isaiah Willoughby (the only one who has not reported any fundraising). The official filing week is less than two weeks away; August 6th is the primary election that will winnow the field to two candidates.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The questions were similar but the format different as the 34th District Democrats put four of the Seattle City Council District 1 candidates side by side last night for the second time in two weeks. From left, Phil Tavel, Brendan Kolding, Jesse Greene, and incumbent Lisa Herbold spent an hour an a half in what was billed as a debate, with rebuttals and counter-rebuttals.

So far, as with previous events, the debate at Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School generally ran along the lines of the challengers criticizing city leadership in general and, at times, Herbold in particular, rather than any of the three non-incumbents taking on the others. It’s all in the video above; the 34th’s Jordan Crawley and Chris Porter moderated (the video begins with Crawley explaining the rather intricate rules). Our toplines are after the jump:

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Another levy will be on the August 6th ballot: The Seattle Public Library levy. Councilmembers voted unanimously today to send it to voters. (The item comes up 25 minutes into the video above, Seattle Channel‘s recording of this afternoon’s council meeting.) They expanded the original $210+ million proposal by about $2 million to add one weekly operating hour for each of the city’s 26 library branches as well as adding extra support for children’s programming. You can read the documents, including the amended levy text, by going here. The levy plan was announced last month; it would follow a seven-year levy that expires this year. The August ballot also will include a vote on the King County Parks levy, as reported here last week.

(WSB photo, April 10th)

After two Q&A forums, District 1 City Council candidates will appear in the first debate-format event of the campaign tomorrow night. It’s the second event presented by the 34th District Democrats, but this time it’s not part of a regular meeting – it’s a standalone event – nor is it at the group’s usual event venue. All are invited to attend, 6:30 pm Tuesday (April 23rd) at Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School (9615 20th SW). Four of the five current candidates (the field’s not final until “filing week” in mid-May) are participating – Jesse Greene, incumbent Lisa Herbold, Brendan Kolding, and Phil Tavel – same as the 34th DD’s forum on April 10th (WSB coverage here).

Story, photos, video by Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

Four of the five candidates who have registered campaigns for the District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) City Council seat appeared in the second forum of the season last night.

This one was presented by the 34th District Democrats, whose rules require that candidates contending for the group’s endorsement – the ultimate reason the group has forums – affirm they are Democrats. Isaiah Willoughby did not, the 34th DDs said, but the remaining four – Lisa Herbold, Phil Tavel, Brendan Kolding, Jesse Greene (that’s the L-R order in which they were seated) – did.

First, here’s our full unedited video of the forum, organized by legislative-action committee chair Jordan Crawley, with questions asked by first vice-chair Rachel Glass:

Crawley explained they had used results of their online survey to determine seven issues to focus on. If you don’t have time to watch/listen, we have toplines ahead – but please note, these are not anything close to full transcriptions; for the candidates’ full answers, see the video.

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Just under four months until the primary election, and two days until the next forum featuring all five of the candidates running so far for the District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) City Council seat. Their first faceoff was back on March 21st (WSB coverage here); this Wednesday (April 10), they’ll be side by side for the second time during the 34th District Democrats‘ monthly meeting. All are welcome – nonmembers and members alike; the meeting starts at 7 pm Wednesday at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). It’s one of two events the 34th DDs are presenting this month featuring the D-1 council race; the other is billed as a debate, at 6:30 pm April 23rd at Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School (9615 20th SW). The 34 DDs, by the way, have an online survey going, inviting you to help shape the issues on which they’ll focus.

The candidates in the running so far are Isaiah Willoughby, Phil Tavel, Brendan Kolding, incumbent Lisa Herbold, and Jesse Greene; according to the city Ethics and Election Commission tracker, District 1’s five-candidate field is the smallest of any of the 7 districts, so far. But it’s not necessarily the final lineup – the official filing period isn’t until next month.

Though the City Council races have dominated the discussion so far this election year, there are other races you’ll want to pay attention to – such as the Port of Seattle Commission. This year, two of its five seats will be on ballots in King County, and both incumbents have announced their plans. Today Courtney Gregoire announced that after six years on the commission, she is not running for re-election, and she is “looking for other options to continue to serve the public,” according to the emailed announcement. Fred Felleman has already announced he will run for a second 4-year term, promising in his February announcement that he will work to “continue to increase the Port’s economic impact while reducing its greenhouse gas footprint.” So far only one potential contender has registered with the state Public Disclosure Commission, Ali Scego, who has not yet specified which position is of interest.

When we interviewed City Council District 1 candidate Brendan Kolding back in February, he declared himself “all in” – though this isn’t the first time he’s run for office, he said he’d be actively campaigning this time. And tonight he took another step, with an official campaign kickoff at Ounces in North Delridge.

Kolding also noted that he’s so serious, he recently resigned his Seattle Police lieutenant job to focus full-time on his campaign. His 15-minute speech focused on themes of homelessness, crime/safety, and “rule of law” – he said once laws are enforced, other issues will fall in place. He did touch on a few other hot topics, including requiring developers to include parking in projects, because “people need their cars,” even those who use transit, as he said he had done while commuting from Delridge. Here’s our video of his speech:

After that, Kolding asked supporters to help him qualify for Democracy Vouchers, and then invited questions. One attendee asked where he stands on West Seattle light-rail routing. Though, he said, he recently had been quoted as saying he supported an elevated line, he said it’s clear that there’s more community support for a tunneled option, so that’s what he’s backing now, because his role is to represent the community.

PREVIOUS KICKOFF COVERAGE: We covered incumbent Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s kickoff on March 24th; Phil Tavel‘s launch at Easy Street Records was part of our February 1st report; in late January, Jesse Greene held a kickoff event at Talarico’s in late January. Isaiah Willoughby hasn’t had a kickoff yet.

FORUMS AND WHAT ELSE IS NEXT: All five candidates were at the season’s first forum last month; here’s our coverage, with video. Next one scheduled is 7 pm April 10th at The Hall @ Fauntleroy during the monthly meeting of the 34th District Democrats, who told us all five candidates have confirmed plans to participate. The field won’t be finalized until the official filing period in May; the top two in the August 6th primary will advance to November.

(WSB photos/video)

Almost two months after announcing she would run for re-election, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold became the third candidate in the race to hold a campaign-kickoff event.

Supporters gathered at Highland Park Improvement Club this afternoon to hear Herbold recap her first term and explain why she wants a second:

Herbold said she had kept promises to fight for renters’ and workers’ rights as well as for small-business protection. She also vowed to keep focusing on issues including transportation and displacement – reiterating that she sees the latter as continuing to contribute to homelessness, which she said can be “economic,” not just physical. She also described taking joy in “the constituent work that my team and I do … I work for you, and together we can get things done.”

She also spoke of working with other elected leaders; the 30 people listed on the event as co-hosts included Herbold’s colleague Councilmember Lorena González – a Junction resident – and State Senator Joe Nguyen:

They didn’t take the stage to speak but a few other co-hosts did, including West Seattle entrepreneur Tana Yasu:

She lauded Herbold for being “not pretentious” and for having “an ear and a heart to listen.”

PREVIOUS KICKOFF COVERAGE: Phil Tavel‘s launch at Easy Street Records is part of our February 1st report; Jesse Greene held a kickoff event at Talarico’s in late January. Brendan Kolding hasn’t announced a kickoff event yet; we interviewed him last month. Isaiah Willoughby hasn’t had a kickoff yet either and we’re still awaiting an acceptance of our repeated interview offer. All five candidates were at the season’s first forum last Thursday; here’s our coverage, with video. The field won’t be finalized until the official filing period in May; the top two in the August 6th primary will advance to November.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A standing-room-only crowd filled the American Legion Post 160 hall in The Triangle Thursday night for the first forum featuring all five candidates contending for the City Council District 1 seat representing West Seattle and South Park.

Four years ago, when 7 of the 9 councilmembers were elected by district for the first time, Lisa Herbold won the seat by 39 votes. Thursday night she shared the stage with four challengers: Jesse Greene, Brendan Kolding, Phil Tavel (who also ran in 2015, finishing third in the primary), and Isaiah Willoughby.

They answered questions for an hour and 20 minutes, frequently punctuated by applause, in the first of a series of forums planned by the advocacy group Speak Out Seattle. Instead of the originally announced moderator, radio host Mike Lewis asked the questions, some submitted in writing by attendees. Here’s our video:

If you don’t have time to watch, our toplines are ahead:

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(WSB photo from Chief Sealth IHS during the 2016 Democratic caucusing)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Our area’s largest political organization is on the record as backing a primary election instead of caucuses for determining who to support in the 2020 presidential nomination process.

The resolution vote at last night’s monthly meeting of the 34th District Democrats was not without a bit of controversy. And it’s not the only opinion from our area that will be considered – if you’re a Democrat, the state party organization wants to hear from you too.

That was the spotlight topic at the meeting. The 34th DDs’ state committeewoman and committeeman, Ann Martin and Chris Porter, explained that the state party is currently in a 30-day comment period regarding whether to use the primary or caucus for determining the state’s delegation to the national convention. It’s been caucuses in the past; while the state has had a primary, the party hasn’t used its results.

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The seven-year maintenance and operations levy for the Seattle Public Library system is expiring – it was passed in August 2012. Today Mayor Durkan announced the plan for a replacement levy to go to voters this August. Here’s the official news release. Toplines, from the one-sheet:

Renewing the Library Levy while maintaining only current services would cost $167.4M. Under Mayor Durkan’s plan, making additional investments in equity and opportunity like expanding hours and eliminating fines would cost the average homeowner an additional $1.58 per month, for a total of approximately $7 per month. With the critical new investments, the total Levy cost would be $213.3M.

The 2012 levy totaled $123 million. More on two of the “new investments”: Three area libraries would be among those with increased hours – Delridge, High Point, South Park. The levy also would spend a little over $1 million a year to end the practice of overdue fines. Next step for the levy proposal: It goes to the SPL Board next week, and then to the City Council. That part of the process will determine when it goes to voters, the mayor’s office tells us.