RECOVERING SEATTLE, DELIVERING RESULTS.
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:
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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
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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
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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 talentRestored 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
ENDORSED BY
Congressman Adam Smith (D)
State Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D)
Former Gov. Gary Locke (D)
Former Governor Christine Gregoire (D)
IAFF Fire Fighters Union Local 27
UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 32
Ironworkers Union Local 86
LiUNA Laborers Local 242
Gina Hall
Homeless services pioneer
Krist Novoselic
Democracy reform advocate and occasional bassist
Community Voices for Sara
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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.“
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Ironworkers Union Local 86
Bryan Johnson, President
“Sara stands with workers. She knows that strong unions build strong communities, and she’s been a reliable voice for workers’ rights, good jobs, and safe worksites. We trust Sara to keep fighting for the people who build this city every day.”
Sara, on her work
In under 90 seconds
Campaign News
Sunday, July 12, 2025
Seattle’s effort to link public safety with addiction treatment is gaining momentum. Council President Sara Nelson is continuing to push for a plan that would dedicate up to 25% of any future public safety sales tax increase to fund treatment services. The goal: expand access to residential and outpatient care, recovery housing, diversion programs like LEAD and CoLEAD, and medication-assisted treatment options like long-acting buprenorphine.
Service providers and community partners have voiced strong support, saying this kind of stable funding is essential to build a real pathway to recovery. As the city prepares for a possible sales tax proposal, Nelson’s initiative remains a central part of the conversation about how Seattle can address addiction, support vulnerable residents, and build on recent public safety progress.
“A robust response to people living in public and dealing with complex behavioral health issues must be an essential component of the City’s public safety strategy,” said Brandi McNeil of Purpose Dignity Action. “We deeply appreciate Council President Nelson’s focus on building a smooth pathway so that these recovery stages are linked, not siloed.”
Read more about Seattle’s “Pathways to Recovery” plan here.
