Big changes are coming to the Seattle City Council, as a number of councilmembers announce plans not to seek reelection.
Perhaps the biggest change will be the departure of socialist councilmember Kshama Sawant. In a January 19 press conference, Sawant said that instead of running for another term on the City Council, she would devote her considerable energy to a new organization, Workers Strike Back.
"It is time to build a fighting mass movement nationally, to widen and strengthen the class struggle," Sawant said in an email to her supporters. "Workers Strike Back will be launched in early March in cities around the country. Events are being organized in Seattle, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York City, Durham, Oakland, Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Madison, Houston, and beyond."
First elected in 2013, upsetting four-term incumbent Richard Conlin, Sawant championed legislation increasing Seattle's minimum wage to $15 per hour. She was reelected in 2015 and 2019, and survived a 2020 recall attempt sponsored by downtown business interests.
In her email to supporters, she recalled her "historic victories, including a $15/hour minimum wage, the Amazon tax, and landmark renters' rights [measures]."
Business owner and community advocate Joy Hollingsworth, a Central District business owner and community advocate, had already announced she will run for the District 3 seat now held by Sawant. With Sawant's departure, many more hopefuls are expected to enter the race.
District 3 encompasses Capitol Hill, parts of First Hill, and the Central District, as well as wealthier areas along Lake Washington.
Another departing City Councilmember is Lisa Herbold, who represents West Seattle's District 1. Herbold was first elected in 2015, after serving for many years as an aide to veteran City Councilmember Nick Licata, and was reelected in 2019. During her time on the Council, Herbold often found herself opposing both Sawant and more conservative councilmembers.
In an email to her supporters, Herbold noted that campaigns by one or more candidates to her left mayb create an opportunity for a conservative candidate to win.
"Above my love of public service to the constituents of District 1, I don't want the council to lose a progressive voice on the council," Herbold wrote, explaining her decision to sit out the 2023 election. Herbold said in an interview she doesn't have a specific candidate in mind to run in her place, and she was announcing her retirement early to give potential candidates time to decide.
Conservative Councilmember Alex Pedersen also announced that he would not seek reelection. He was elected to represent District 4 in 2019, and leaves after only one term. District 4 includes Wallingford, Roosevelt, and the University District.
"Striving to serve the public as a voice of reason during tumultuous times has been an honor, but I am not a career politician," Pedersen said in a statement. He added that his family "will need [him] more than City Hall, and they are looking forward to having [him] back."
During his time on the council, Pedersen has consistently voted for local business interests, and opposed increases in taxes and levies. He was also a strong supporter of Seattle police during the demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
"In the year ahead, my office plans to focus on safety, including community safety and transportation safety, as well as preventing economic, physical, and cultural displacement and ensuring fiscal responsibility so the people's tax dollars are invested as effectively as possible," Pedersen said.
City Council incumbent Andrew Lewis has announced he will be a candidate for reelection. Lewis represents District 7, including Downtown, Magnolia, Queen Anne, Belltown, and Uptown.