Central Seattle: ‘We’ve Been Forced Out Of Our Neighborhood’

For the first time in a century, Seattle voters will choose their City Council members by district.

In District 3, which includes Montlake, Madison Park and parts of Capitol Hill, five candidates are running. We asked them to meet us somewhere meaningful in their district.

Current Councilmember Kshama Sawant met us outside the Panorama House apartments on First Hill – an example of Seattleites being displaced. Lee Carter chose the playfield by Garfield High School; he said the Central Area is the soul of Seattle.

Morgan Beach met us at Broadway and John Street near the light rail station, which she said is an example of city growth. Pamela Banks chose the corner of 23rd Avenue and Union Street in the Central Area because she wants to preserve the black-owned businesses.

Finally, Rod Hearne chose Madrona Elementary, where his mother was principal. He called it “the meeting point of these historical inequities.”

Primary ballots drop on Friday, July 10 and are due by Tuesday Aug. 4. Two candidates from each district will go on to the general election in November.

LEARN MORE: Get To Know Your New Seattle City Council District