Why We Conducted an Endorsement Process
With seven open seats, the makeup of the next Seattle City Council comes at a pivotal time for our city, as leaders, businesses, and residents alike grapple with economic uncertainty, lingering effects of the COVID pandemic, the homelessness and affordability crisis, and ongoing racial inequities.
The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) is a non-profit trade association composed of over 1,000 member companies, ranging from hundreds of small startups to a few dozen multinational corporations. A large share of our members are based in Seattle, and their employees live and work throughout the city. The tech sector continues to play a leading role in building the vibrant economy in Seattle, as well as bolstering and empowering initiatives that matter to the community. In this context, WTIA engaged in a comprehensive endorsement process to shed light on council candidates’ ability to lead Seattle forward as a thriving hub for innovation that enables all residents to affordably and safely live, work, and play.
Our process included having each candidate complete a questionnaire and participate in an interview with members of the WTIA Policy Steering Committee. In alignment with our guiding principles for public policy, we evaluated the candidates’ views on how they will enable innovation and growth across the tech sector, improve affordability and livability in our communities, partner with industry to reimagine and revitalize downtown Seattle, and lead the way in diverse, collaborative, and equitable problem-solving.
Each of these candidates are experienced leaders with an approachable and collaborative plan to solving challenges and seizing opportunity. They recognize the important role the tech sector plays in Seattle’s economic growth and job creation. As such, each of the candidates will act as a partner to improve the business environment and work with the tech sector on shared goals. They are equally passionate about other issues that matter greatly to our sector, including housing affordability, public safety, and fiscal stewardship.
WTIA Endorses
District 1 – Rob Saka
District 3 – Joy Hollingsworth
District 4 – Maritza Rivera
District 5 – Cathy Moore
District 7 – Bob Kettle
We are deeply appreciative of all the candidates who participated in this process. The meetings generated rich discussion on the challenges facing the city and how the tech sector can partner with an incoming council on key priorities. While our endorsements represent the collective of our membership, it is worth noting that we greatly appreciate those who run for political office, especially in a time of heightened political polarization. Each of the candidates has a heart for the community and a desire to make Seattle a better, more equitable place to live, recreate, and work.
WTIA looks forward to working with the next generation of the Seattle City Council to build a robust, inclusive, and equity-centered economy that empowers thriving communities.
About the Process
The endorsement process was conducted over an eight-week period. WTIA reached out to all of the registered candidates and invited them to participate and complete a standardized questionnaire detailing their priorities and vision if elected to the council. We then invited candidates to participate in a half-hour-long interview with members of our Policy Steering Committee, where we asked each candidate the same set of questions and alloted time for them to ask questions of our interview committee.
The questionnaires for all candidates who completed them are posted on our website.
*The campaigns for Tammy Morales, Tanya Woo, Pete Hanning, and Dan Strauss did not choose to engage in the endorsement process.
Other candidates
