A for alignment: Downtown Seattle Association scores the candidates | Washington

(The Center Square) – The Downtown Seattle Association has theirs “Candidate Scorecard” for citywide office candidates facing voters in less than a week.

The nonprofit membership organization asked candidates about the downtown economic recovery in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then rated them how narrowly their written responses – Excellent Alignment, Some Alignment, or Non-Aligned – were aimed at making the DSA a thriving corporate entity create match district in Seattle.

Candidates’ appearances at the recent DSA mayor and council forums were also taken into account.

Candidates were asked, “Given the vaccination of the population and the gradual return of workers and visitors, how will the city of Seattle support the downtown economic recovery? As someone seeking public office with the City of Seattle, please briefly describe your professional background or business-related topics. Then describe in detail the role of the city in downtown recreation. What is your redevelopment plan for the inner city and how would you suggest implementing it? “

Attorney and mayoral candidate Bruce Harrell, a former city council president, was recognized by the DSA with an outstanding orientation.

Harrell, vowed to use his experience to aggressively address the problems of small business recovery, rampant homelessness, and public safety in a city pre-pandemic and pandemic-induced vaccine mandates.

“I understand the problems that downtown employers and workers face after I started serving as Chief Counsel for UW WEST and managing partner of a downtown law firm on April 4th.” The skills I have in these roles and during my time I have acquired in the council – strategic thinking, cooperation and conscious listening – I will bring to the service as mayor. My leadership will change the narrative about the inner city – and our city – with positivity, direct action and measurable results.

“A downtown Seattle that is thriving, welcoming, and safe is one that will once again serve as a focal point for the prosperity and growth of our region. My administration will not lose sight of these priorities. Let’s work together to make it happen. “

Lorena González, the current District 9 councilor, also a lawyer running for mayor’s office, was deemed not voted by the DSA because her campaign manager Alex Koren essentially gave a non-response in the form of a refusal to attend.

“Such a narrow geographic focus misses the bigger challenges of addressing systemic inequalities across the city and helping small businesses recover from the pandemic and thrive in every neighborhood, not just one,” wrote Koren. “As mayor, Lorena will bring people together to make all parts of our city a success and will continue her work towards this common and important goal. We look forward to continuing to exchange ideas with you and your members on these city-wide issues and to develop solutions that promote just and fair recovery. “

In the race for the city’s attorney, Ann Davison was rated as being in outstanding agreement with the DSA, while Nicole Thomas-Kennedy, who ran on a platform that emphasized restorative justice and alternatives to prison, made no response and rated it “Not Aligned” received.

Davison, a former city council candidate who declared herself a Republican despite claiming to have voted for President Joe Biden in 2020, vowed to make Seattle a more prosperous and safer place.

“Seattle needs downtown businesses that create jobs and generate tax revenue, but downtown businesses need Seattle to be safe in order to thrive,” Davison wrote. “It is a core task of every city to protect its people and its companies. To help downtown Seattle recover, the city had many responsibilities. It needs to work with businesses and chambers to create a favorable tax and regulatory structure that meets the needs of the city while allowing businesses to rebuild in difficulty. The city needs to ensure that people feel safe living, working and traveling in the inner city. This should be a joint effort by all relevant bodies. In addition, the city is also one of the most important employers in the city center and has just as much stake in the health of the city center as any other employer. “

On the frontline of the city council, position 8 candidate Teresa Mosqueda was rated in Some Alignment with the DSA.

“There are similarities,” wrote the incumbent. “If we work together, we’ll have a stronger Seattle. We need to redouble our efforts to house the vulnerable, get people back to work by providing the necessary support and training, and provide flexible funding that is best suited for small business owners to determine how these are Funds should be used. I look forward to four more years of healthy debate, collaboration and reconstruction. “

In the competition for position 9 of the city council, candidates Sara Nelson and Nikkita Oliver were rated “Excellent Alignment” and “Not Aligned” respectively.

“These are tough times, but opportunities arise with the crisis,” noted Nelson. “We have the chance for a big restart in this city and it starts with the election of candidates for the city council who can be held responsible for delivering measurable results rather than ideological rhetoric.”

“When we reopen, we need to: prioritize workers; tackle the housing crisis; make the city center an art and culture destination; & Create a safety net for workers that encompasses prevailing wages, health care, hazard pay and decent working conditions, ”wrote Oliver. “The health of our most vulnerable workers and residents determines how we recover.”

She then campaigned for more progressive taxation, commercial rental price control and free public transport.