As the parent of a nine-month-old, I’m more determined than ever to build a Seattle we can be proud to pass on to the next generation. In my first term, I brought together unlikely coalitions to deliver results and I’ll continue that work if re-elected.

Public Safety: In my first term, I increased our park ranger program from two to 28 rangers, fully funded the police hiring budget each year, passed an ordinance protecting firefighters from harassment in the line of duty, and worked with Mayor Harrell to create a civilian behavioral health response in lieu of police involvement. If re-elected, I’ll increase these alternative responses, continue the shared commitment of the Council and Mayor to recruit and retain police, and support community programs proven to reduce repeated criminal behavior and interrupt gun violence.

Housing And Homelessness: We need to get people out of encampments and into stable housing immediately. Working with Mayor Harrell, my office helped create the Unified Care Team, a one-stop, no-excuses shop to navigate people experiencing homelessness into shelter and resolve encampments. Encampments have been reduced by 42%, but much work remains. Over the next four years, I’ll increase enhanced shelter options like tiny houses so people experiencing homelessness have a stable shelter, rather than being displaced to another encampment. I’ll also work with city partners to build and acquire social and non-profit housing so more people can afford to live in our community.

Climate Change: We are running out of time to combat climate change. Seattle must confront the emergency with housing planning that emphasizes dense, walkable communities, electrification of buildings, and safe, reliable public transportation.

Rated strongly aligned by the Downtown Seattle Association.

Endorsements: MLK Labor, 36th and 43rd Democrats, Alliance for Gun Responsibility Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Executive Dow Constantine

I’m running for Seattle City Council because I’m concerned about the incumbent Council’s inaction and failure on the most important issues facing our community. I’ll help lead our city to meet the challenges we face on public safety, public health, and homelessness. Seattle can feel like a thriving, vibrant community again.

I’m a first-generation American, civic leader, and stay-at-home dad supporting my wife’s work as a Civil Rights Attorney – including the landmark case with the ACLU overturning “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I volunteer with several neighborhood-level public safety and community organizations, including as former Chair of the Queen Anne Community Council’s Public Safety Committee.

We need to get serious about crime reduction. The Council’s pledge to defund SPD by 50% was irresponsible and undercut our public safety and our ability to implement reform. I support allocating additional resources to recruitment, retention, training, and community policing – including non-police responders – to prevent crime and decrease response times.

We cannot solve our public safety issues without addressing public health. The City Council has enabled open drug use and dealing in our neighborhoods including Downtown, which claimed the lives of 500+ Seattleites last year and is contributing to violent crime.

We must add mental health hospital bed capacity and addiction treatment centers, but we also need principled leadership to build partnerships and demand accountability. I’ll prioritize programs and service providers that prove they work. With increasing shelter space, it’s time to restore our public spaces and stop relying on unsafe, inhumane encampments. I’ll partner with the Mayor and focus Seattle government on saving lives, keeping the vulnerable safe, and restoring our beautiful city. 

I’m a pragmatic progressive who believes that ground-level results are more important than political platitudes. We can do this! I’m Bob Kettle, and I ask for your vote.