Teamsters Local 117 Endorsements

Criminal defense attorney Chris Van Vechten is also running for Tacoma City Council in District 3. Prior to opening his own law office in Hilltop, he worked in the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office and with the Lakewood City Attorney's Office. 

Van Vechten is running on a more moderate platform focused on crime and policing. Several years ago, he proposed an ordinance that would have reduced penalties for some low-level thefts and he has spoken out about biases in policing. Unfortunately, his campaign website also repeats Republican talking points about crime and he laments a reported decrease in jail bookings relative to other counties. Van Vechten is also highly critical of the city's approach to homelessness. If elected, he would push to expand Oxford House, support a Social Housing model similar to Seattle's recent ballot measure, and support more projects like the Pierce County Village. 

Van Vechten has earned many endorsements from moderate Democrats in this race, while progressive leaders have largely sided with Scott. We believe the people of Tacoma would be better served by Scott's progressive values and experience with community organizing on the council.