It is early, so very early in the race for District 3. The primary won’t be held until August and we won’t even know the final roster fo candidates for months. But the race is taking shape. It is most definitely not a two candidate show — meet Ami Nguyen, a public defender dedicated to representing all the people of District 3, not just Capitol Hill — but two of the strongest contenders — incumbent Kshama Sawant and challengers Logan Bowers — held their campaign launches last week. CHS stopped through to see who showed up and ask why they support the candidates. Click through the galleries to see their answers.
Kshama Sawant — Re-election Kickoff Party — Sunday, March 10th — Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
Lauren Tozzi – “I did some work with people who were fighting foreclosures about 9 or 10 years ago, and I first met Kshama as we were trying to stop someone from being foreclosed on his home. I didn’t know her, but I had seen her a few times around Occupy. She got arrested along with us and then as I got to know her, when she ran her campaign, I realized she’s someone who walks the talk. She’s one of the few people in Seattle history of politicians who are accessible and listen and I think she’s the real deal. She’s authentic. She’s fearless and we don’t see that a lot in politicians.”
Yasser Mufti – “I’ve been a big fan and supporter of hers for many years. She fights the right fight. $15 minimum wage was huge, I was a supporter of the Amazon tax, she’s been pushing for rent control. She’s had clarity of thought and vision and she’s executed that very well.”
Natalie Lubsen – “I’ve followed $15 Now and the Head tax. I feel like she’s been the one fighting for working people the hardest and I want to see more of that on the council. I want her to keep it up.”
Gregory Bell – “Seattle sort of has this progressive brand it likes to sell but if you look at the material reality, we really don’t live up to it at all, like a lot of these progressive cities and states. We have a massive homeless crisis in the city, that’s a part of the huge wealth inequality, tied into the huge influence of Amazon with how the city works. While there are other good members on the council, I think Kshama sets a left flank and pulls people towards that position. She really tries to hold Seattle accountable to the values it says it believes in.”
Romi Mahajan – “I support Kshama because of her policies and her incredibly energetic support of social justice. Her policies around equity, around racial harmony, around justice, understanding there is a third way in politics that isn’t just Democrats and Republicans. All of these things in combination, really attract me to her and her campaign.”
Kaddy – “I think the causes that she fights for a things that I relate to as well. I think that’s the need of the year. All that’s she’s standing for is required today. I think that the fact that she is able to bring grassroots people to her campaign is wonderful. Homes for the homeless is very important. I followed the work she did on the trailer parks and that touched me. I could imagine what had gone on in those peoples lives.”
Ubah Warsame – “I am here to support Kshama because I have worked with her during the $15 minimum wage and Seattle Housing Authorities Stepping Forward. I believe how she represents marginalized people, low income people, and people in general. I don’t think she is someone who has barriers between her and the people she represents. We need someone the people can go directly and talk to her and not worry about if she isn’t listening to you and the issues you’re concerned with. Not only listen, but will take steps and do something about what matters to people. I believe in that and that’s why I’m here to support Kshama.“
Logan Bowers — Logan for Seattle Campaign Kickoff — Thursday, March 7th — Rhein Haus
Toby Latin-Stoermer — “I’m an old friend of Logan’s, I’ve known him for about 20 years. I was super excited to hear he was running for city council. I think he’ll make a good representative…I think he’s thoughtful, well informed on the issues, and is excited to move Seattle forward and make it more liveable for everyone.”
Curtis Buuzer — “He’s a cool guy. He’s a doer. I know he’s a smart guy. Whatever his constituents what him to do, I think he’ll make it happen.“
David Sloan — “He’s a good guy, I’ve been working with him in the industry that we’ve both worked in (marijuana) and I’ve supported him during those adventures and now I’m supporting him during this adventure.”
Olga Kuzetsova — “I’ve seen how much he knows our community. He’s grown up in Seattle. He’s well aware of the things we’ve got going on in the neighborhood and I see him doing good things on the council.”
Neil Lequia — “I’m in the cannabis industry and it’s really important for me to see people who hold these values and interest in office. It’s important to support them in what they’re doing.”
Kate Nesse — “I like his policies for Seattle. I think that if you are going to build a city for the future, build a city for all the people that have made Seattle home over the years, then you have to be addressing housing, be addressing transportation issues, and I think you have to do it in a way that’s in conversation with the neighborhood.”
There weren’t close to 200 people in that room. And how many of them were actual D3 constituents? Jean Swanson can’t vote for Kshama. Neither can Calvin’s many siblings in attendance.
It was a typical Sawant production, staged right down to the wall to wall mirrors behind her, to look like she’s the leader of some mass ‘movement.’
She’s all ‘Socialist Alternative’ branded hoodies and no cattle.
Say what you will about Sawant (and I agree there’s reason to be skeptical of personality-driven movement orgs like SA) but unlike every other councilmember save one, she did stand her ground on the head tax when it became politically risky to do so — and then Amazon promptly proved her right! That covers a multitude of sins, in my view, though I’m open to hearing what Sawant’s challengers bring to the table.
Also relevant: Kshama Sawant’s campaign kickoff had close to 200 people — how many did Logan’s?
There weren’t close to 200 people in that room. And how many of them were actual D3 constituents? Jean Swanson can’t vote for Kshama. Neither can Calvin’s many siblings in attendance.
It was a typical Sawant production, staged right down to the wall to wall mirrors behind her, to look like she’s the leader of some mass ‘movement.’
She’s all ‘Socialist Alternative’ branded hoodies and no cattle.
Say what you will about Sawant (and I agree there’s reason to be skeptical of personality-driven movement orgs like SA) but unlike every other councilmember save one, she did stand her ground on the head tax when it became politically risky to do so — and then Amazon promptly proved her right! That covers a multitude of sins, in my view, though I’m open to hearing what Sawant’s challengers bring to the table.