Mayoral race: Seattle voters tired of ’empty promises,’ feeling ‘stuck’

Some Seattle voters say they want to hear real solutions to urban homelessness from mayoral candidates Lorena Gonzalez and Bruce Harrell.

SEATTLE, Washington – Seattle voters will be tasked with electing a new mayor in three weeks’ time as current Mayor Jenny Durkan has decided not to run again.

The two candidates rising through the primaries are Lorena González, the current president of the Seattle City Council, and Bruce Harrell, a former council president.

The Seattle City Club is hosting two mayoral debates on October 14th and 28th at 7:00 p.m. Both debates will be aired on KONG and streamed live on KING5.com.

Several questions were asked in advance of the debates, but KING 5 asked some voters on the streets of Beacon Hill to put their questions to González and Harrell.

Leticia Espinosa, who works in downtown Seattle, said her top concerns are public safety and homelessness.

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“The tents that are all over town, the garbage, it’s really embarrassing when we have guests from other states,” said Espinosa. “That’s the first thing you see when we drive on I-5.

Espinosa said these issues are not only a problem in tourism, but are also causing some Seattle residents to move away.

“We really need changes in Seattle. It’s scary,” Espinosa said. “Candidates always promise, ‘Oh, we will do that’, but once in the position they forget what they promised and we are stuck.”

Angela Castañeda of the Beacon Business Alliance said she hoped the local economy and affordable housing were priorities for Seattle’s next mayor.

In addition to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, Castañeda is fighting for affordable commercial and residential space, according to Castañeda.

Castañeda said that while some artists, entrepreneurs, and gig workers thrive in temporary spaces or in cafes, they are also trying to put down roots.

“They are also looking for potential bricks and mortar. They are looking for affordable commercial space,” Castañeda said. “Families need apartments. What are you going to do about it? “

Click here to find a polling station near you.