The Big 2019 Seattle Council Race: See Who's Running

SEATTLE, WA — It's the biggest Seattle City Council primary race in more than a decade.

When filing week ended Friday, 56 people had signed up to run in the seven Council contests, four of which are open races with no incumbent. The last time these seats were up for election in 2015, a total of 47 candidates filed to run.

This year, some candidates have the potential to shift the Council to the right. In District 2, Ari Hoffman is running to take Council President Bruce Harrell's seat. Hoffman has appeared on right-wing media outlets like NRA TV and Fox News, and he has been associated with the group Safe Seattle.

In District 3, Pat Murakami had out-raised incumbent Councilwoman Kshama Sawant as of April 30. Murakami has received the approval of Safe Seattle, and has in the past fought against affordable housing projects. She received a Seattle Times endorsement in 2017 when she ran against Councilwoman Lorena Gonzalez for an at-large seat. Other candidates in the race like Daniela Eng (District 7) and Ann Davison Sattler (District 5) have been given a nod by Safe Seattle.

In other races, the Council has the potential to swing left, or at least remain there. In the race for retired Councilman Rob Johnson's seat, Shaun Scott is running as the Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed candidate. Right behind Scott in fundraising is Alex Pedersen, who worked as an advisor for Councilman (and mayor) Tim Burgess.

And, there will be some familiar names on the ballot this year: Former Seattle police chief Jim Pugel; West Seattle lawyer Phillip Tavel, who has run for Council and judge; Seattle School Board director Zachary DeWolf; former Councilwoman Heidi Wills; and Council gadfly Alex Tsimerman.

Here are all the candidates who will appear on the August Primary Election ballot, plus how much money they had on hand as of the latest campaign finance filings (April 30). Candidates do have until the end of Monday (May 20) to withdraw, so it's possible this list will shrink.

Council Position No. 1

• Brendan Kolding $5,218.26
• Lisa Herbold (I) $50,518.89
• Phil Tavel -$5,234.69

Council Position No. 2

• Ari Hoffman $8,531.66
• Mark Solomon $2,501.51
• Tammy Morales $37,398.32
• Chris Peguero $5,775.21
• Henry Dennison No campaign finance reports filed
• Phyllis Porter -$16,978.49
• Omari Tahir-Garrett No campaign finance reports filed

Council Position No. 3

• Logan Bowers $59,820.37
• Zachary DeWolf $671.13
• Kshama Sawant (I) $48,680.27
• Pat Murakami $49,290.92
• Ami Nguyen $8,166.27
• Egan Orion -$8,457.09

Council Position No. 4

• Alex Pedersen $43,741.81
• Cathy Tuttle $9,901.29
• Joshua Newman -$2,086.50
• Frank A. Krueger $337.51
• Heidi Stuber $6,103.43
• Sasha Anderson $3,589.12
• Emily Myers $26,031.00
• Beth Mountsier No campaign finance reports filed
• Ethan Hunter $2,722.07
• Shaun Scott $48,587.33

Council Position No. 5

• Debora Juarez (I) $12,748.51
• John Lombard -$1,390.90
• Ann Davison Sattler $366.46
• Alex Tsimerman No campaign finance reports filed
• Tayla Mahoney N/A
• Mark Mendez N/A

Council Position No. 6

• Terry Rice $4,415.12
• Jon Lisbin $13,980.74
• Melissa Hall $714.05
• Dan Strauss $24,181.47
• Kate Martin -$806.91
• Jeremy Cook $106.66
• John Peeples -$338.96
• Heidi Wills $34,399.92
• Jay Fathi $21,003.40
• Joey Massa $271.47
• Sergio García $1,188.61
• Ed Pottharst N/A
• Bobby Miller No campaign finance reports filed
• Kara Ceriello N/A

Council Position No. 7

• Daniela Lipscomb-Eng $2,304.25
• Isabelle J. Kerner $51.82
• Jim Pugel $22,350.26
• Don Harper -$16.53
• Andrew J. Lewis $29,277.41
• Jason Williams $3,362.58
• Gene Burrus $218.00
• James Donaldson No campaign finance reports filed
• Michael George $14,761.68
• Naveed Jamali $3,852.46