Seattle's liberal city council shifted toward the political center as voters opted to elect mostly new candidates after crime, homelessness, and drug use surged in the city.
Crime is up in one of the country's bluest cities, and local 2023 elections indicated voters may be fed up with Democratic leadership. The Seattle Police Department released data showing there have been 53 homicides in 2023, already higher than last year. The homeless population in Seattle and King County rose around 12% from 2020 to 2022, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's yearly homelessness assessment.
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While official results have not been posted from last Tuesday's election, four newcomers, two incumbents, and one member who was not up for a vote will sit on the council next year ahead of the last batch of ballots.
The council will be made up of at least four new centrist members who ran on anti-crime platforms. A former lawyer for Meta, Rob Saka of District 1, defeated Maren Costa, a climate activist and former Amazon employee. Saka has strong stances on public safety and policing and frequently blasted Costa on the campaign trail for backing plans to defund the police in 2020 and then changing her stance.
Joy Hollingsworth defeated left-lane candidate Alex Hudson for Seattle District 3, previously held by Kshama Sawant, the most senior member and only elected socialist, who decided not to run for reelection. Hollingsworth said she wants the city's police department to increase its number of deployable officers, while Hudson ran on more investment in community violence prevention and increased response times.
Cathy Moore, a former superior court judge, led ChrisTiana ObeySumner in Seattle's District 5. ObeySumner opposed a recent law that lets the city attorney prosecute low-level drug crimes, calling for more prevention and treatment services, while Moore said she would have voted for the new law.
Andrew Lewis for District 7 was the only incumbent who lost a reelection bid, losing to challenger Bob Kettle, conceding last week. Lewis completed his four-year term in office, helping to launch the Third Avenue Project, which aims to tackle drug dealing and clean up downtown. Kettle hopes to rebuild police department staffing and strengthen the council's relationship with the SPD.
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Liberal incumbent Tammy Morales narrowly declared victory on Monday over her opponent, Tanya Woo, for District 2. Dan Strauss, a liberal incumbent, successfully held on to his seat in District 6, defeating Fremont Chamber of Commerce Director Pete Hanning.
Councilor-at-large Sara Nelson wasn't up for reelection this year, and the new members will vote to replace councilwoman Teresa Mosqueda, who will be leaving after winning her election to the King County Council.