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Seven candidates file for Seattle City Council Position 8 race

No incumbent and Seattle’s new Democracy Voucher program has drawn seven candidates to the race for the at-large City Council Position 8 so far.

In November, Jon Grant, former director of the Tenants Union, announced his bid for the seat left open by longtime council member Tim Burgess’s impending retirement. Since then notable others have decided to vie for the job. Among them are Mac McGregor, a gender, diversity, and sex educator, activist, speaker, and coach, Teresa Mosqueda, political director for the Washington State Labor Council, and Sheley Secrest, local NAACP vice president.

10660100_10204351737221066_5828433409770086078_nMac McGregor
McGregor served on the Seattle LGBTQ Commission from 2011 to 2016. As The Gender Sensei, McGregor offers classes on self-defense, martial arts, and Tai-chi wellness. He is also a professional life coach, personal trainer, motivational speaker, and educates and trains groups on diversity and sensitivity, according to his website.

The Beacon Hill resident moved to Seattle from the Bible Belt in 2008.

“Even though there’re so many things we do right in Seattle, and we’re a progressive city in so many ways, we can do better,” McGregor told CHS.

McGregor has considered running for office for a while, but now with President Donald Trump in office and Republicans in control of Congress, the champion martial arts fight been motivated to step onto the mat as a candidate.

His priorities include helping small businesses, addressing the pay gap for women and minorities and lifting up marginalized communities.

McGregor, a small business owner for 23 years, wants to reduce fees for minority-run businesses and provide incentives for businesses to open in higher crime areas because more activity helps to reduce crime. He also wants to provide assistance with permitting and getting “through the red tape.”

As a transgender man, McGregor said he understands sexism in a unique way and wants to address the pay gap that exists in Seattle negatively impacting women, minorities, and gender nonconforming people.

“As progressive as we are as a city, I was shocked to find out how much of a gender pay gap there is in Seattle,” he said.

He wants to further help marginalized communities and plans to hold townhall meetings to learn what the various communities need.

As a part of the LGBTQ community, McGregor said he feels like he has “a good pulse on their needs.”

“I don’t want to pretend that I know what the Somali and Muslim communities need,” told CHS.

He plans to participate in the Democracy Voucher program, which he believes was made for grassroots candidates from marginalized communities. McGregor said he’s also encouraged by the number of candidates vying for Position 8.

“If we’re living in a time when that many people care and feel passionate to step forward, I think that’s wonderful,” he said.

14-mosqueda-webTeresa Mosqueda
At the WSLC, Mosqueda has “worked to advance immigrant and refugee rights, protect workplace safety, and chaired the state’s largest health care advocacy coalition — the Healthy Washington Coalition,” according to her campaign site. She also helped draft the successful statewide Initiative-1433, which raises the minimum wage to $13.50 over time and expands paid sick leave. Mosqueda previously worked at the state Department of Health promoting safe routes to schools, walkable neighborhoods, and access to healthy foods. The Queen Anne renter also served two terms on Washington’s Exchange Board.

“I’ve built a career and based a career on making sure no one is left behind,” Mosqueda told CHS.

Now she wants to continue that work as a city councilmember, especially with the threats Trump has made to the most vulnerable populations.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, cities are going to be both the first line of offense and the last line of defense under a Trump administration,” Mosqueda said.

Her three-pillar platform consists of making sure the rights of all Seattleites are protected, building on the promises of an affordable and accessible city, and exploring what can be done to protect and provide health care for vulnerable populations.

With her experience in public health, she looks at many of the city’s challenges through a “health lens.”

“I think we have new data that helps us show where we need to have targeted investments to really lift up communities,” Mosqueda said. “… We should be data driven. We should look at where we have some of the poorest health outcomes.”

With threats to the Affordable Care Act, the city should look for solutions to health disparities, she told CHS.

While she feels Seattle has made progress on creating a more affordable city, more needs to be done, and when communities are more affordable, they are healthier, she said.

“As I go out and have conversations with these diverse community groups, I’m very interested in the L in HALA (the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda),” she said.

Mosqueda is participating in the Democracy Voucher program, and said she has had “tremendous support so far.”

Mosqueda boasts more than 70 endorsements so far including former state representative and 7th Congressional District candidate Brady Walkinshaw, Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib, and 43rd Legislative District Rep. and Speaker of the House Frank Chopp.

img_4635-600x400Sheley Secrest
Secrest, a trial attorney, is focusing on three issues for her campaign — job creation, small business assistance, and police reform.

“I would like to see that we’re spending money on creating jobs, not hiring more cops or creating more jails,” Secrest told CHS.

She also wants to help small businesses. With businesses heading toward paying employees a $15 minimum wage, the city also has a responsibility to small businesses to help them raise profits and remove barriers, she said.

Police reform is a passion for Secrest. She served four years in the independent Office of Professional Accountability review board within the Seattle Police Department. The office is responsible for investigating complaints of police misconduct. She is also working against the new youth jail.

“I believe we have a long way to go on restoring public trust,” Secrest said.

Secrest isn’t new to running for an elected position. In 2014 she ran for the 37th Legislative District Senate seat, losing to now 7th Congressional District Rep. Pramila Jayapal. After Jayapal secured her win to Congress in November, Secrest again made a bid for the 37th seat, losing to Rebecca Saldana.

In 2015 she unsuccessfully went for an appointment to a Seattle City Council seat vacated by Sally Clark. Secrest lost to John Okamoto, after telling councilmembers her status with the bar association was inactive, when it was actually suspended for 60 days and she hasn’t applied to change it, Crosscut reported. According to the Washington State Bar Association, Secrest’s license is currently active.

Secrest has been fueled by the desire to make changes at a grassroots and local level for years as change stalls or moves backward federally and at the state level. With Trump now in office, Secrest said she’s even more driven.

She’s also participating in the Democracy Voucher program.

“What sets me apart are the ties to those who have been left out of the political process,” Secrest said. “This campaign, this movement, that I am working with brings those voices along.”

Additional Candidates
Also running is Ryan Asbert, who on a YouTube video said he will build a web application to let Seattleites control his seat. People will be able to vote on bills and measures, have discussions and draft new bills, according to Asbert. He is also launching a new party, The X Party,

“The X Party does not stand for big or small government, liberal or conservative values,” Asbert said in the video. “We as a party and as an organization stand only to make our government and its processes more accessible to the people.”

He said he will also be participating in the voucher program.

Rudy Pantoja Jr., a Ballard resident who spoke in favor of the proposed new North Precinct at an August City Council meeting is also making a bid for the seat. Pantoja rose to viral fame after activist Zarna Joshi accused him of sexual harassment when he told her his name was Hugh Mungus. A GoFundMe campaign launched in November raised more than $150,000 for Pantoja. According to the page Pantoja at the time was having health problems, possibly cancer, had a hip replaced, his truck broke down, and he was served an eviction notice.

Roger Kluck is also running and hopes to qualify for the democracy voucher program. According to his Facebook page, Kluck has 30 years of experience “working on public policy from the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority to the U.N.” He has lobbied on inmate and reentry issues at the state legislature. He also works with incarcerated veterans with PTSD and on school violence issues.

 

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29 Comments
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Zach L
Zach L
7 years ago

lol at the also rans

Whatever!!!!
Whatever!!!!
7 years ago

Great, another list of unqualified losers who will do nothing to help move this city forward in a positive way instead creating controversy and protest…Seriously Seattle…..Can’t we get at least one candidate who will represent ALL of Seattle not just the minorities and refugees……

Alonso
Alonso
7 years ago
Reply to  Whatever!!!!

Anyone is free to run for office. If you feel so strongly about candidates that you don’t identify with, then run for office and see if others agree with you, or encourage those in your peer group to run. Nothing is stopping you….

Sam
Sam
7 years ago
Reply to  Whatever!!!!

“Great, another list of unqualified losers” did you not notice that Rudy Pantoja is running?

Katie
Katie
7 years ago
Reply to  Whatever!!!!

I really don’t see how you don’t think Jon Grant wouldn’t help move things forward. Very detailed record helping the community, even before refugees became an issue.

Rudy PANTOJA
Rudy PANTOJA
7 years ago
Reply to  Katie

Refugees have been a issue since I was born…for me 60s and 70s. I live with and work with immigrants. I remember the funny talking ones in Ballard when I was a boy and could barely understand them

Del
Del
7 years ago

Will we be able to use our “Democracy Dollars” for these candidates? (I completely resent having to pay for them but hope they can go to some good).

Good grief, Hugh Mungus is running? Hilarious.

Del
Del
7 years ago
Reply to  Del

Oh, never mind. Vouchers are the same thing as Democracy Dollars. Duh.

Rudy PANTOJA
Rudy PANTOJA
7 years ago
Reply to  Del

I have lived here since the late 60s and grew up when Seattle’s busing program started. For those that want to hammer me also hammer my friends I grew up with and raised by. I have a long history in Seattle and plan on getting the issues out and let the voters decide. I’m Hispanic and grew up in North Seattle. We came in the 60s from a poor Mexican community. I have a platform that is second to none and fair and balanced for the young and not so young. If someone has a problem with it don’t vote for me. Although I ask not to judge me until you have the opportunity to evaluate our platform. I have well qualified voters of all backgrounds who are in to win. I take our city very serious and have no plans on protest or shouting those down who may disagree or agree. Running for public office is not easy for any of us so I ask my supporters to respect others opinions so we can have a civil debate of the issues and let the voters decide.b E patient and see what happens

zeebleoop
7 years ago

what, no goodspaceguy?

Buttilda Jones
Buttilda Jones
7 years ago

Go Mac!!! Mac is definitely all about community and bringing people together for the greater good. Love me some Mac from the times I have interacted with him.

Allena Gabosch
Allena Gabosch
7 years ago

I second the Go Mac! comment. Mac is a hard worker and dedicated to creating a better city. Go Mac!

Ethan
Ethan
7 years ago

HUGH MUNGUS

Pokongo
Pokongo
7 years ago

Hugh Mungus for city council 2017!

BotisSpammis
BotisSpammis
7 years ago

Hugh Mungus For Council!

Jesus
Jesus
7 years ago

FvCK Bon Jovi’s broke ass cousin!

amen
amen
7 years ago
Reply to  Jesus

papa bless

Anon
Anon
7 years ago

Rudy Pantoja Jr. What a legend. Most selfless person you’ll ever meet. Pantoja for council 2017!

Danny
Danny
7 years ago

Hugh Mungus should win.

Rob
Rob
7 years ago

We must elect the first meme into office. Hugh Mungus 2017!!!

chief sealth
chief sealth
7 years ago

Seattle for Washingtonians, not some weirdo from the bible belt.

Malicat
Malicat
7 years ago

Hugh Mungus what? Hugh Mungus for city council!

Valerie Rodriguez
Valerie Rodriguez
7 years ago

Rudy PANTOJA represents an under represented segment of our community which has remained silent too long. Our latinx roots must be embraced. VOTE PANTOJA

Rudy PANTOJA
Rudy PANTOJA
7 years ago

Thank you very much and I intend represent all communities as well as our Latino Hispanic people. Education! Education! Education! Family Wage jobs by working with the public private partnership. Support charitable organization for underprivileged young and not so young.

Thomas Kearney
Thomas Kearney
7 years ago

Rudy for council my man will make this city better

Rudy PANTOJA
Rudy PANTOJA
7 years ago

Thank you

Handsome Jack
Handsome Jack
6 years ago

Definitely stay away from any Sawant goons like Sheley Secres

Tony
Tony
6 years ago

I believe that Rudy is running for all the right reasons. He is not your typical politician. He really seems to care about others, and is willing to fight the knuckleheads that have taken over this wonderful city. Please vote for Rudy Pantoja, he’s one of the good guys.

Thanks

Lon Kissinger
6 years ago

John Grant is the man to deal for Seattle City Council Position 8.

Property taxes are skyrocketing, pushing middle/low income owners and renters out of Seattle. Developers are making obscene profits, eliminating affordable housing & green space, and putting up ugly excuses for buildings. All the while, they’re greasing the buttocks of City Government with contributions. City Government refuses to look at development fees for developers that could reduce property taxes. They’re too busy creating a City that meets the needs of high income tech workers. HALA is a joke, with 6000 units of dubious affordability to be added over 10 years in a City with over 325,000 households. Units don’t even have to be provided in the neighborhoods where existing housing is being demolished. In exchange, developers are granted free reign to rape Seattle’s neighborhoods.

These pressing issues are what John Grant wants to address. We so desperately need his voice to fight for Seattle’s lower and middle classes.