Born and raised in Washington with a background as a proud Queer artist, Ry Armstrong recently announced the launch of their campaign for Seattle mayor. Having been a political advocate for years, Armstrong decided to run because they saw vital issues like climate change and mental health left unaddressed.

"Seattle deserves to dream and be bold again, and I feel like we kind of stopped doing that post- pandemic," Armstrong told the SGN. "At a time when Trans people are [being attacked], I refuse to be afraid in 2025, even though it is a bit scary. I just think we deserve a mayor who's going to be accessible."

Armstrong's top issues are increasing the affordable housing supply; investing in public safety by rethinking the approach and investing in community-based resources; respecting workers' rights by creating safe working conditions, enacting fair wages, and maintaining the right to organize; and making childcare affordable.

Their experience in nonprofit arts management, like producing video content for the United Nations, owning their own production company and record label, and as the co-executive director of Sustainable Seattle — which received approximately $2 million via grants — will play to their advantage when it comes to funding city services with progressive revenue, Armstrong said.

Armstrong is concerned that 15% of Seattle's sewage system trickles into Puget Sound, and believes that more investment in street lights is needed for both safety and pedestrian activation in some areas.

As a member of the Seattle LGBTQ+ Commission, Armstrong said they already have some loose relationships with city councilmembers. Armstrong worked with Councilmembers Bob Kettle and Tanya Woo to save Theatre Puget Sound, which was set to close because of an expired licensing agreement that Mayor Bruce Harrell's office left untended, they said.

"I've seen the actual consequences and repercussions of forgetting about the little guys," Armstrong added.

Running as a Queer person in Trump's America
Armstrong noted the dearth of Queer elected officials in Washington. The Victory Fund, a political action committee that works to increase the number of open LGBTQ+ public office holders, found that at least one LGBTQ+ person ran for elected office in every state, according to its "Out on the Trail 2024" report, which states that in 2024, about 15% of those candidates were gender diverse, including Transgender, Gender-Nonconforming, Nonbinary, and Two-Spirit people, double the number in 2020.

Armstrong is about 25% qualified to enter the race, needing about 600 more signatures from Seattle voters, as well as donations.

Armstrong recommends that Seattle residents turn off national news for a bit and focus on hyperlocal happenings, where they can create the most impact.

Acknowledging that they've got an uphill battle against incumbent Mayor Harrell, who has corporate backing, Armstrong still refuses to be intimidated.

"We want to put people first. Not corporations, not special interests. We want to put actual, unhoused people first," Armstrong said. "I'm going to fight and see what we can do, but it's going to be hard work."

For more information, visit https://armstrongforall.com