RECOVERING SEATTLE, DELIVERING RESULTS.

LATEST NEWS

July 31, 2025

Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson’s Pathways to Recovery plan has unanimously cleared the council’s Governance, Accountability, and Economic Development Committee.

Pathways to Recovery would dedicate up to 25% of the revenue, generated by the 0.1% local sales tax, increase to behavioral health and public safety programs, supporting expanded treatment access and community safety initiatives.

“I can’t express how often I pass someone who is bent over from the impacts of sustained drug use and think, ‘How can we just not do something about this poison that is out there?'” Nelson said at a meeting.

Read more at MyNorthwest / KIRO

Addiction treatment could get $10M boost from Seattle public safety tax

People walking on a pier by the water during sunset, some ascending stairs, others on the lower level, with reflections of sunlight on the water.

Seattle has finally turned a corner. After years of failed experiments and look-away policies, we're seeing real results — violent crime down 8%, encampments reduced by 33%, 4,000 people housed. Police staffing is rebuilding. Treatment is expanding. Neighborhoods feel safer.

This progress didn't happen by accident. I've focused on what works — rebuilding police staffing while supporting the expansion of the CARE team for mental health calls, demanding accountability from broken systems, and pushing through historic housing investments. Real solutions over political theater.

For me, this work is personal. As someone who rebuilt her life through recovery, I know what real help looks like. That's why I won't stop pushing until every Seattleite can access the support they need — whether it's treatment, housing, or simply feeling safe walking to work.

We've proven Seattle can work again. Now we need to keep going.

Seattle can’t go backwards … and we won’t go backwards!

— Sara Nelson
Seattle City Council President

ENDORSED: SARA NELSON

“An effective lawmaker, Nelson challenges conventional Seattle thinking and champions underdogs.”

”Sara Nelson has proven fortitude and solid priorities. She is the right leader for this moment and deserves reelection to Position 9.”

SEATTLE DESERVES VISIBLE RESULTS.
SARA IS DELIVERING THEM.

Since taking office, Sara has focused on practical solutions that make a difference:

Progressive Public Safety

First increase in police staffing since 2020, with 84 new officers hired in 2024
Innovative community safety teams launched in Chinatown-International District, combining foot patrols with outreach workers
Stronger police accountability through improved oversight and transparency measures
Additional dispatchers hired to improve emergency response times
24 public safety laws (and counting) added to our city’s toolkit
Housing & Treatment: Real Solutions for Seattle's Crisis

Pathways to Recovery, Seattle’s biggest push for dedicating public safety funding to drug treatment
Historic $342 million investment in affordable housing - nearly 5x the 2019 level
Mobile medication units bringing treatment directly to hardest-hit neighborhoods
Passed workforce housing in SoDo to create 1,000 new homes–most affordable
Expanded treatment access and recovery services
New non-congregate shelters with built-in support services
Seattle's Cultural Recovery

…Because, even as we tackle our biggest issues, we must keep Seattle’s soul alive!

Created Seattle's first Film Commission to attract production jobs and support local talent
Restored the Storefront Repair Fund, helping over 400 businesses recover and rebuild
Saved the Seattle Channel, preserving vital local journalism and arts programming
Enhanced support for minority-owned businesses and neighborhood revitalization
Public space improvements, from the the Waterfront to new artist loading zones in front of music venues

Sara's Priorities

ENDORSED BY

State Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D)

IAFF Fire Fighters Union Local 27

UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 32

Krist Novoselic
Democracy reform advocate and occasional bassist

Community Voices for Sara

Congressman Adam Smith

(D)

“Sara is exactly the kind of leader Seattle needs: reasonable, compassionate, and effective. She understands the human struggle at the heart of the homelessness crisis and knows how to cut through the noise to get things done.”
Seattle Fire Fighter's Union (IAFF Local 27)

Kenny Stuart, President

“Seattle Fire Fighters are supporting Sara Nelson because she doesn’t just talk about public safety—she does something about it. Fire fighters value leaders who listen to the experts, act decisively, and have the courage of their convictions. That’s why we are proud to stand with Sara.”
Gina Hall

Non-Profit Leader in Homelessness & Social Services
“Sara brings both compassion and clarity to addressing homelessness. Her work on the comprehensive needs assessment helped cut through years of confusion to focus resources where they actually save lives - on housing, treatment, and human connection. Sara understands that solving homelessness requires both immediate action and long-term solutions, and she's delivering on both fronts.“
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587

“ATU Local 587 is proud to endorse Sara for City Council because we know she does the work. Sara stands with transit workers on issues like improving public safety for our operators and riders, and expanding public transportation to connect the region.”