This November, voters in District 2 will have the opportunity to select a new council member following the resignation of progressive councilmember Tammy Morales.
Mark Solomon, the current SPD crime prevention coordinator, has temporarily filled the position but has announced he will not run for the seat.
The impending election signals the end of a period marked by significant change within the council, largely comprised of first-time members, many of whom were elected in 2023.
With first-term council president Sara Nelson also on the ballot, the upcoming year could see the council with only one member, Dan Strauss, serving a second term—an unprecedented situation according to the Seattle Municipal Archive records.
The new council member for District 2 is stepping into a role that faces a multitude of challenges.
Issues such as displacement, the lack of affordable housing, gun violence, traffic deaths, disinvestment in social services, and inequitable access to amenities like grocery stores and parks are particularly pronounced in Southeast Seattle.
For example, Rainier Avenue South has historically been one of the two deadliest roads in the city, but efforts to mitigate traffic and reduce collisions have largely benefited only gentrified neighborhoods like Columbia City or have proven ineffective at decreasing injuries and fatalities.
In addition to these district-specific problems, the new council member must also tackle a looming budget crisis, participate in voting for a new police contract that aims to address accountability issues overlooked in the previous contract, and develop solutions for the citywide housing shortage—all amidst a backdrop of anticipated cuts to federal funding that could exacerbate every challenge the city faces.
So far, four candidates have announced their intention to run for the District 2 council position, and more may enter the race before the May 9 filing deadline.
Eddie Lin, who grew up in North Carolina as the son of a Taiwanese immigrant and a white mother, is among the candidates.
After attending law school at Seattle University and spending some time in Oakland, he returned to Seattle during the Great Recession and began working for Perkins Coie, one of several prominent law firms currently under scrutiny from the Trump Administration.
In 2017, Lin secured a position at the City Attorney’s Office, where he has represented the city’s Office of Housing since 2019, gaining valuable insight into affordable housing processes and city government operations.
Lin is one of the two candidates who initially sought appointment to the council seat that Solomon presently occupies.
In an interview with PubliCola, Lin discussed his views on addressing the city’s budget shortfalls and community priorities.
When asked how he would manage the potential budget cuts, Lin stated, “That situation is never easy, but we have gone through this before.
In general, I do think it’s not great to just take an all-cuts kind of austerity approach.
I do think there’s some revenue we can raise.”
Expressing his support for a local capital gains tax and defending the JumpStart tax, Lin acknowledged potential limitations on raising the latter due to revenue predictions.
He emphasized a values-led approach, prioritizing the most vulnerable and core services, particularly homelessness investments, while suggesting community engagement to determine service priorities.
He also suggested that city management should set an example by taking initial salary cuts from higher earners in city administration, stating, “the point would be to show that we’re in this together and you need to lead by example.”
When pressed on budget allocations, Lin reiterated the urgency of addressing homelessness, noting, “Getting people off the street as quickly as possible is going to be my priority.
I love permanent housing, and that’s critical and we need to continue to do that, but that’s going to take time and need a lot more resources than we have.”
He advocated for expanding tiny house villages and other shelter options, suggesting the introduction of vouchers to replace disappearing federal options.
Lin would like to implement a housing mediation program for at-risk tenants to mitigate eviction, proposing a proactive approach instead of mere legal representation that leads to delays.
He recognized that housing production may stagnate due to budget issues, which could impact sales tax revenues and property values, and supported measures to ease burdens on housing developers.
Lin envisions reevaluating the city’s comprehensive plan and permitting requirements to encourage development while aiming to protect neighborhood centers and reducing parking requirements for housing projects.
Regarding funding for social housing, he clarified that while he voted against certain measures previously, he now supports policies that would facilitate success for social housing developers, suggesting updates to zoning to help developers leverage affordable housing bonuses.
Strong support for utilizing surplus properties for social housing in collaboration with entities like Sound Transit was also a part of his vision.
When it comes to public safety and police budgets, Lin stressed the need for a robust police presence while also advocating for alternative community safety measures.
He addressed the need to expand the city’s CARE Team and proposed significant funding for youth gun violence prevention programs, acknowledging the rising incidents in District 2.
Lin pointed out that responses to gun violence often lack the necessary long-term support and resources that truly engage the community.
He expressed support for a $20 million levy specifically designated for gun violence prevention, emphasizing that funding would be crucial given anticipated federal cuts to prevention initiatives.
Concerning current approaches to drug-related crimes in areas known for high drug activity, Lin expressed skepticism toward the effectiveness of arrest-based strategies.
He called for a balanced methodology that includes rehabilitation and treatment for drug users while ensuring accountability for drug dealers.
Embracing a holistic approach to public safety, Lin stated the importance of addressing all aspects of the drug crisis, including implementing a comprehensive drug diversion court that pairs legal consequences with access to housing, treatment, and job training for offenders.
This upcoming election for District 2 council presents a crucial moment for voters, who will decide among new candidates like Eddie Lin, whose perspectives and proposals reflect a response to the complex socio-economic landscape facing Seattle.
As residents await the election, Lin’s insights underscore the challenges ahead and the opportunity for a collective dialogue between the city government and its constituents.
image source from：https://publicola.com/2025/04/16/45095/
