Latest news with #KingCountyElections
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
7 candidates have filed for Seattle mayor ahead of Friday's deadline. Here's who they are
The Brief Bruce Harrell appears to have some competition when it comes to retaining his seat as Seattle's mayor, as six other people have put their names in the hat. The last day for in-person candidate filing is Friday, and the deadline to withdraw from the race is on Monday. SEATTLE - Bruce Harrell appears to have some competition when it comes to retaining his seat as Seattle's mayor. As of Thursday night, seven candidates have filed for the position of Seattle mayor. According to King County Elections, the deadline for in-person candidate filing is on Friday, May 9. Along with Harrell, several others have put their names in the hat, highlighting their focus on housing, community and public safety. Here's who's running for the Seattle mayor's office: Incumbent Bruce Harrell is running for a second term as the Mayor of Seattle. Harrell previously served as the president of the Seattle City Council from 2016 to 2020, after having been on the council since 2008. He was acting mayor of Seattle for a brief stint in 2017 before being elected in his own right in the 2021 Seattle mayoral election, beating out Lorena González. In his time in office, Harrell has made it clear that he's dedicated to solving the city's homeless crisis, increasing community safety and fighting the opioid epidemic. Harrell hopes to find and create more solutions as the Seattle-Tacoma area continues to grow in population. Joe Mallahan, a previous candidate in the 2009 Seattle mayoral race, is once again running for office. Mallahan was narrowly beat out in November 2009 by former mayor Mike McGinn, who won just 51% of the vote. A former leader at T-Mobile, Mallahan wants to address issues he believes city leadership has been too slow to act on, such as crime, homelessness, housing costs and community outreach. Joe Molloy has a strong focus on the Seattle homelessness crisis, as he says he lost his home last year as the result of an unsupported disability. Molloy, a Detroit native, has three main priorities outlined in his campaign: addressing shelter and housing, creating a dedicated crisis response and public safety service, and a Universal Basic Income pilot program. Molloy introduced his plan as "The Homeless New Deal," aimed at addressing the ongoing "State of Emergency." His background includes experience in real estate and Seattle homeless advocacy organizations. Katie Wilson, a current coalition leader, brings a variety of ideas aimed at improving the lives of Seattleites. Wilson's spent her career fighting for working families, and has big goals for affordable housing, public transportation, workers' rights, public safety, and more. She co-founded and serves as the executive director of the Transit Riders Union, and led campaigns to raise the minimum wage, strengthen renter protections and improve access to low-income individuals. Ry Armstrong, a Pacific Northwest native, says he plans to tackle Seattle's challenges head-on, with a commitment to accessibility and collaboration. If elected, Armstrong hopes to build more housing, invest in public safety, fight for Seattle workers and create accessible, affordable childcare. With a background in unions, nonprofits and state politics, Armstrong says his vision for Seattle's future is rooted in equity, resilience, and collaboration. Isaiah Willoughby is running for Seattle mayor. Willoughby, with a listed Burien address, shares the same name as a man previously sentenced to two years in prison for setting fire to a Seattle Police precinct in the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP) zone during the George Floyd protests in 2020. David Tuniman is also listed as a 2025 candidate who has put their name in the Seattle mayoral race. At last check, Tuniman does not have an active website for his campaign. What's next The deadline for candidates to withdraw from the King County 2025 primary election is Monday, May 12. The primary election is on August 5, and the general election is on November 4. The Source Information in this story is from King County Elections, the websites of 2025 Seattle mayoral candidates and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. New area code coming to Seattle area in June. What to know WA's first In-N-Out gets closer to opening date VIDEO: Dramatic arrest of WA mother carrying toddler, stolen gun Pro-Palestinian protesters cause $1M in damage at UW, 34 arrested Health experts say 'harmless' symptoms could be signs of blood disease 2 WA brothers arrested after high-speed pursuit on I-90 Video shows shackled inmate escape custody at Sea-Tac, board light rail To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Axios
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
The forensic tool on Seattle's ballot
Seattle voters have a single issue on the special election ballot next Tuesday: whether to renew a levy that pays for a fingerprinting system that police use to solve crimes. Why it matters: The Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is used by all King County cities and unincorporated areas, storing nearly 3 million records that can be matched to incoming or unidentified prints. The program pays for terminals that record fingerprints and palm prints at police stations, mobile devices that officers can use to identify people in the field, and staff who help process crime scene evidence, among other services. By the numbers: The renewed levy would last seven years, costing 2.75 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2026, the first year that it would be in effect. For a home assessed at $850,000 — roughly the median assessed value in King County — the owners would pay about $23 for the levy next year. What they're saying: In the county voter pamphlet, the committee urging a "yes" vote on the measure — a group that includes King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall — says that AFIS is an "essential forensic tool" that "has been instrumental in solving everything from violent offenses to burglaries." "Your yes vote continues the ability to provide closure for victims and their families," the statement adds. No statement opposing the ballot measure was submitted to King County Elections for inclusion in the voter pamphlet.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Burien Special Election: Minimum wage increase measure close by hundreds of votes
As early results rolled on Tuesday night, a measure in Burien to create a minimum wage increase is leading by several hundred votes. Measure 1A aimed to raise the wage to $21.10 and have future increases tied to inflation, like how Tukwila and other south King County communities have established. The measure would also have a phase-in period for small and local businesses as well as require businesses to offer more hours to part-time employees before hiring new ones. 'This just shows that minimum wages are popular and successful,' said Katie Wilson, an organizer with the Transit Riders Union, who helped in the campaign. By 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 'yes' and 'no' were separated by 441 votes, 54.35% to 46.67%. 'The cost of living in our region is so high and we know that people are struggling to make rent and struggling to put food on the table. I think that people know that people need to make minimum wage and the state minimum wage isn't enough,' Wilson said. The increase comes after the Burien City Council increased the minimum wage, but carved out exceptions for union workers, counted tips toward wages, and, in some situations, counted benefits towards employee's pay. As of Tuesday night, 16.9% of votes had been cast with King County Elections of an expected 33%.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seattle Special Election: Early results showed strong lead for the payroll tax proposition
Supporters of the payroll tax subject to Proposition 1A in Seattle's special election say they are encouraged by early results, showing a 13,124 vote lead after the Tuesday night update. Prop 1A and Prop 1B both relied on a yes or no question in order to be passed. More than 68% of people voted 'yes' and 57.55% supported 1A, the citizen-led petition. Both questions asked voters to fund the social housing developer that was created in a previous election. 1A creates an 'excess compensation' tax of five percent when a business pays someone more than $1 Million. 1B, an alternative supported by the body of Seattle City Council and many in the business community, would fund $10 million a year for the next six years from an existing payroll tax. Supporters of 1A say the new tax's lead represents the 'power of the people.' 'This will help lower rents across the board.' said Areesa Somani, with House Our Neighbors, 'There is no social housing model in Seattle yet, and this will aid us in following in the footsteps of great international cities and creating mixed-income housing for working families who deserve to live in the city they work in.' Supporters of 1B haven't called it quits after Tuesday night's results. Around 19% of the vote had been counted by this posting in an election King County Elections officials expected 33% turnout. The Seattle Metro Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Rachel Smith said she is waiting for all votes to be counted. 'When considering this ballot initiative, we wanted to see social housing done right, and we believe Proposition 1B is the smart move.' 'It establishes the support and accountability of the city's Office of Housing – which has a 40-year track record, and it makes sure the affordable units get funded using public money – while not compromising the agency getting grants, loans, or other financial resources.' Smith continued in a statement. Somani says she expects legal challenges to the measure, assuming the lead holds. See results and learn more about ballot measures here.
