City of Seattle

Longtime state legislator and labor leader Bob Hasegawa has distinguished himself through his social justice advocacy. Since first being elected to the House in 2005, his focus has been on supporting working families, small businesses, and disenfranchised communities. Before becoming a legislator, he helped lead the fight for democratic reforms in the Teamsters union. He’s running for mayor on a platform of addressing income inequality and reducing corporate power by creating a municipal bank and developing municipal broadband. Hasegawa has sought to use his organizing background to build a populist campaign around corporate accountability. The extended legislative session has prevented him from raising money and it’s hard to see how he generates enough resources to run a competitive campaign.

From the campaign trail: While very progressive, Hasegawa’s message is confusing at times, and he relies heavily on a municipal bank as the solution to most of the city’s problems.
His single most important priority: Changing Seattle’s governance structure to one that is grassroots and community-based
What he believes sets him apart: His experience as an organizer and leader reforming the Teamsters union
What we believe sets him apart: The combination of running for mayor largely without raising funds and a platform focused on creating a municipal bank

Cary Moon is an urban planner, engineer, and civic activist who is best known for her leadership in the People’s Waterfront Coalition that opposed the deep-bore tunnel. She laid out a vibrant alternative vision for Seattle’s waterfront and was named 2009 “Citizen of the Year” by the Municipal League. Moon is running to improve housing affordability by cracking down on real estate speculators, expanding renters’ rights, and expanding alternative housing options for working people, like duplexes and co-ops. In this crowded field, Moon is campaigning as an innovative, big-picture thinker who can organize coalitions and solve the root problems Seattle faces rather than just addressing the symptoms.

From the campaign trail: Moon is very smart and offers thoughtful policy responses to the complex challenges facing our city.
Her single most important priority: Housing affordability
What she believes sets her apart: Her deeper systemic analysis of problems, ability to identify solutions, and the 20 years she has spent engaged in Seattle’s issues.
What we believe sets her apart: Her systems-level approach to solving problems.

Former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan is running for mayor on a platform of police accountability, housing affordability, and justice for all. She was the first openly gay U.S. Attorney in our country’s history. At the U.S. Department of Justice, she pushed to improve accountability for the Seattle Police Department, created a civil rights unit, and was an advocate for criminal justice reform. While Durkan’s support from business groups has raised questions among some progressives, she does not shy away from progressive positions and emphasizes that she is willing to stand up to anyone to make the right decisions when necessary. With a long track record of working on complex issues and fighting for civil rights, Durkan is positioning herself as a consensus-building candidate who can work with advocates on all sides.

From the campaign trail: Durkan has a very confident, strong presence, focuses on issues, and emphasizes that she is willing to make difficult decisions. She has raised the most funds of any candidate by a significant margin.
Her single most important priority: Equity and justice across all issues
What she believes sets her apart: Her executive experience, ability to make decisions and move forward
What we believe sets her apart: Her executive experience

State Representative Jessyn Farrell has been an effective legislator in Olympia, particularly on environmental issues and workers’ rights. She resigned her seat in the state House to focus on her campaign for mayor. She is the former Executive Director of the Transportation Choices Coalition and she has worked hard to expand buses, light rail, and other transportation options for our rapidly growing region. She was also the prime sponsor of the bill to raise Washington state's minimum wage for working families and helped push through workplace protections for pregnant mothers. Farrell has sought to build upon her strong track record in the Legislature to establish herself as a progressive choice for both environmental and labor advocates.

From the campaign trail: Farrell references several pieces of legislation as evidence of her ability to get things done
Her single most important priority: Housing affordability
What she believes sets her apart: Her track record of results as an activist and legislator.
What we believe sets her apart: Her experience with transportation, and a track record of legislative leadership on both environmental and economic justice issues.

Mike McGinn was the Mayor of Seattle from 2009 to 2013 and prioritized climate change and improving transportation choices, particularly through his work to accelerate light rail in Seattle. In the past four years, McGinn has continued his environmental advocacy and has been vocal supporter of an NBA arena to bring back the Sonics. McGinn is now running for mayor again under the banner slogan of “Keep Seattle” by addressing housing affordability and making Seattle a leader in the fight against climate change. He’s seeking to position himself as an environmental advocate with the experience at City Hall to get things done.

From the campaign trail: McGinn has a good grasp of policies and an in-depth knowledge about the inner workings of city hall. He is thoughtful and reflective about lessons learned from his time as mayor, as well as what he would do differently in a second term.
His single most important priority: Both housing affordability and climate change
What he believes sets him apart: He has already learned how to be mayor.
What we believe sets him apart: He has already learned how to be mayor.

Nikkita Oliver was the first candidate to declare her run for mayor back in March. Oliver rose to prominence through her leadership with the Block the Bunker campaign against the expensive North Seattle Police Precinct and more recently with the No New Youth Jail efforts. She is an educator, spoken-word artist, attorney, and community organizer. She is running as part of the local, grassroots People’s Party to improve housing affordability, reduce inequalities in educational opportunities, and improve police accountability. Oliver has built an impressive grassroots campaign and is running as a populist who will engage community members in government and be a voice at City Hall for those who are often shut out of the process.

From the campaign trail: Oliver lays out a compelling vision for the city based on a commitment to equity and better community engagement and she backs up her vision with specific policies. Oliver has an impressive number of small donors.
Her single most important priority: Housing affordability
What she believes sets her apart: A commitment to engaging the people most impacted by economic and social problems in developing solutions and to building community leadership.
What we believe sets her apart: A strong grassroots approach to campaigning and governance, and her enthusiastic support from young people.