As the race for the Seattle mayoral seat heats up, candidate Ry Armstrong is making a compelling case for a new direction in leadership amid pressure from incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell, who aims to become the first mayor to secure a second consecutive term since 2009.
Armstrong, who serves as the co-executive director of Sustainable Seattle and is also an actor and member of the city’s LGBTQ Commission, has emerged as a representative of a fresh generation of leadership.
Hailing from a background in Kenmore and Bothell, Armstrong’s political engagement began during their time at Central Washington University, driven by a proposal for a new arts fee on campus.
Upon realizing that no democratic socialist was challenging Harrell in their district, Armstrong decided to run for City Council in 2023.
When evaluating the current mayoral landscape, Armstrong noticed a noticeable absence of young LGBTQ+ candidates and, after encouragement from peers within the community, opted to enter the race.
In an exclusive interview with PubliCola, Armstrong outlined their vision and drew distinctions with fellow progressive candidate Katie Wilson, who is seen as a frontrunner against Harrell.
Armstrong is critical of the disconnection many residents feel from City Hall, suggesting that a significant segment of the population is eager for change.
Despite praising Wilson’s prowess as a policy expert, Armstrong raised concerns about her stance on key issues such as the handling of sweeps, a practice they believe Harrell will continue.
When asked about Harrell’s leadership style, Armstrong described the city government as bloated and ineffective, pointing to their experiences on the LGBTQ Commission where they encountered a lack of adequate resources.
Armstrong emphasized that Seattle suffers from a ‘fear-of-failure complex’ that hinders its ability to respond quickly to urgent issues, frequently opting for consultants rather than direct action.
In discussing the administration’s handling of labor issues, they noted ongoing lawsuits related to wage theft and questioned the efficiency of city payroll systems.
Armstrong would advocate for the creation of town halls to foster better communication with citizens and clarified their intentions to address the impact of the Trump administration on local affairs.
Praise for some of Harrell’s initiatives was offered only sparingly, with Armstrong expressing support for the pedestrianization of Pike Place but emphasizing the need for innovation in addressing social housing challenges.
To that end, Armstrong heralded social housing as a pivotal tool to combat the city’s ongoing crisis, calling for the development of a strategic plan supported by dedicated funding sources.
They criticized the current $2 million loan earmarked for social housing as insufficient and recommended leveraging tax revenues to enhance this area.
During the interview, Armstrong reiterated their commitment to providing immediate solutions to homelessness, revealing plans to establish 1,000 shelter beds within the first 100 days of taking office.
Referencing the city’s rapid response during the pandemic, they argued that similar urgency should be applied to housing solutions instead of deferring action.
Armstrong pointed to the abundance of available resources, asserting that the city’s wealth should be redirected to support those experiencing homelessness and that progressives must adopt a bold approach in attracting necessary funds.
The candidate also shared their thoughts on public safety, suggesting that instead of expanding the police force, Seattle could benefit from enhancing the existing CARE Team—a network of civilian first responders.
Armstrong criticized the notion of increasing police presence and hinted at a shift toward utilizing unarmed responders for non-violent incidents while advocating for a transformative approach in public safety protocol.
They underscored the necessity for transparency within the police department and expressed the need for strong negotiations that prioritize community accountability over the interests of the Seattle Police Officers Guild.
A discussion regarding the city’s downtown activation plan revealed Armstrong’s concerns about excessive focus on downtown at the neglect of other neighborhoods, especially in light of the city’s spiraling vacancy rates.
They challenged the superficial efforts to revitalize the area and argued for deeper solutions, focusing on services and infrastructure that would meet the needs of a broader community.
Armstrong stressed that a true solution to downtown revitalization necessitates addressing systemic inequalities across the city.
Child care reform emerged as a significant priority, with the candidate highlighting the constraints imposed by outdated zoning regulations that complicate the establishment of new centers.
Moreover, Armstrong expressed frustration over the hurdles facing first-time homebuyers, advocating for a more accessible path to homeownership in Seattle’s challenges.
When asked about their stance on Wilson, Armstrong indicated would certainly support her if they were not in the race, emphasizing the importance of diversity in political representation and leadership.
Armstrong noted the chilling impact of opposition on their campaign, including hostility received from some supporters of Wilson.
In conclusion, Armstrong identified the need to prioritize younger voices within the political spectrum to drive real change in Seattle’s governance, calling for a more forward-thinking approach to the city’s challenges.
Overall, Armstrong’s candidacy represents a hopeful push for a return to an engaging, accountable, and responsive local government.
image source from：publicola
