Candidate Scorecard
Each election cycle, rather than endorsing candidates for office, a panel of DSA members and staff scores and rates them based on how closely their responses to our questionnaire align with our mission and priorities for downtown. We also consider their experience, qualifications and campaign viability.
We encourage you to read their answers and learn more about how they would support downtown and the many people who live, work and visit here.
Candidate responses are posted in their entirety. Typos and grammatical errors are their own.
District 8
Meet the Candidates
Tanya Woo
Rating: Strongly Aligned
tanyawooforseattle.com
Alexis Mercedes Rinck
Rating: Somewhat Aligned
alexisforseattle.com
Question 1
Public Safety: The DSA’s core mission is to create a healthy, vibrant downtown for all. It is no secret that the pandemic took a heavy toll on downtowns across the country and Seattle is no exception. As we work toward recovery on all fronts, issues of public safety downtown continue to be one of the top themes we hear from stakeholders. Recently, the Mayor and City Council have adopted new steps to address this issue, including increased police patrols, implementation of SODA areas and contracting for new jail space. What do you think of these measures and how will you address public safety in downtown Seattle?
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Tanya Woo
I recognize the crucial need to address public safety in downtown Seattle as we navigate the path to recovery. As a small business owner and affordable housing provider in the Chinatown International District (CID), I have been trying to address public safety concerns. Collaboration and community engagement are key components of my approach.
As your current citywide council member, I’ve stood behind each of these initiatives. I also cast my vote in favor of the police union contract, ensuring competitive wages so we can recruit the best talent in the region. But I recognize it’s not just about pay—it’s about morale within the department. That’s why I’ve consistently pushed for our officers to have the tools they need to succeed, including supporting the implementation of license plate readers to enhance public safety.
I support community-based policing alternatives in addition to a fully staffed police force. My group, the CID Community Watch, is an alternative to policing and a communication network. By building relationships and trust within our community of residents and business owners we can enhance safety together.
I support the expansion of the CARE team and am advocating for funding to support safety ambassadors, much like the program on 3rd Ave. The area around 12th and Jackson/King is closely linked to the Pike/Pine corridor, and we know that solving the challenges in one area requires addressing the issues in the other as well.
Together we can address public safety concerns, restore our police force, amplify community-based programs, and create a thriving, inclusive downtown for all.
Alexis Mercedes Rinck
Downtown needs to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone– residents, workers, visitors all should find a dynamic and thriving urban environment in our city center. As a councilmember, I will evaluate and advocate for public safety proposals and for city departments to provide accountable and visible results.
We need urgent and effective interventions that improve safety and assist people in crisis. This includes additional resources for the CARE Team, LEAD, and other proven programs that navigate vulnerable neighbors off the street and into a safe and restorative environment where they can be cared for. We also must ensure downtown police patrols are engaged in the proactive work of investigating organized crime, international drug and retail theft rings, and sex traffickers.
With respect to SODA zones, I want to both acknowledge the legitimate concerns and frustrations of downtown residents, workers, and business owners with respect to street level drug use, and also express concern that drawing a line on a map will not address the root causes of the crisis. We need greater emphasis on enforcement and interventions– which is another reason I want to see more investment in programs that help people recover, and not simply removing people into carceral or other settings that create a revolving door without harm mitigation and recovery pathways.
Above all, we need to be open to any strategy to realize real change in our Downtown core. At the same time, we need to assign the metrics and accountability goals to measure success and make sure limited resources are being properly deployed. The current City Council leadership has attached few metrics to these new public safety interventions. As a councilmember, I will demand transparency to make sure we have a data-driven and urgent response to deliver public safety and public health improvements Downtown.
Question 2
Investing in Downtown’s Recovery: Given the importance of downtown to the overall health and vitality of our city and region, what actions will you propose to support downtown’s recovery?
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Tanya Woo
I am fully committed to supporting downtown’s recovery and ensuring its vitality for our city and region. To achieve this, I propose a comprehensive approach that focuses on making progress on key metrics important to downtown recovery.
First and foremost, we need to prioritize public safety initiatives. Fund services to address homelessness, and provide treatment for those suffering from addiction and behavioral health issues.
I will prioritize initiatives to attract visitors to Seattle. We are a world class city with many national and international events coming up such as FIFA Soccer. We know that Seattle’s downtown is the heartbeat of the city’s arts and culture scene. I am committed to working closely with the tourism industry to implement effective marketing strategies and promote downtown’s unique offerings.
Reviving worker foot traffic is crucial. By focusing on public safety, smart urban planning, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting transit, we can create a safe and appealing environment that encourages everyone to want to return to downtown. Government employees should come back to the office.
Supporting economic growth is paramount. I will advocate for streamlined business regulations, financial assistance programs, and an enabling environment for new businesses to thrive and create job opportunities. I would be interested in streamlining the permitting system or design review for new businesses so they can open quickly and efficiently. Grants that will allow for storefront activation or for non-profit organizations to be able to rent and occupy a space for pop ups.
Improving public transit is essential for downtown accessibility and sustainability. I will work towards enhancing transit infrastructure, expanding routes, and encouraging greater public transit ridership. I would be interested in exploring a return to a downtown ride free zone.
Lastly, I will collaborate with event organizers, community groups, and the arts community to facilitate the creation of engaging public events that showcase downtown’s cultural vibrancy and attract residents and visitors.
Alexis Mercedes Rinck
Downtown is the vibrant arts and commercial core of all of Western Washington, and city government needs to be a partner in making it a great place to live, work, and play.
This means continued public activations in the summer months in Downtown’s marquee open spaces like Westlake, Occidental, and, soon, the Waterfront Parks. It also means taking greater advantage in the winter of inspiring indoor gathering spaces where the City has public benefit agreements, like Benaroya Hall, the Cinerama, and the Convention Center.
DSA’s MID program, and other partnerships, are essential to this work– and critical to downtown recovery and future success.
We need a booster who spends time Downtown, enjoys Downtown, and will encourage others to come Downtown. We can all acknowledge that Downtown has problems, but we should never exaggerate those problems to create a loop that discourages investment, tourism, and new residents in the city center. Fundamentally, Downtown is a gathering place, and a gathering place requires people.
I will actively and strongly encourage my friends, neighbors, and the public using my platform as a councilmember to invest in, visit, and work in our great Downtown.
Question 3
Fiscal Priorities: Given the fragile state of downtown’s revitalization, do you agree that the City should prioritize the efficient use of existing spending before imposing new taxes or increasing existing ones? In a detailed manner, please describe how you would propose addressing the budget issues the city is facing.
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Tanya Woo
I firmly believe in prioritizing existing spending and ensuring fiscal prudence before considering new taxes or increasing current ones. The fragile state of downtown’s revitalization necessitates a careful approach to address the city’s budget issues.
To tackle these challenges, I propose a comprehensive strategy that emphasizes accountability and effective resource allocation. A thorough review of existing expenditures across city agencies and programs is imperative to identify areas of inefficiency and redirect resources where they are most needed.
I have previously expressed my frustrations with agencies like the King County Regional Homelessness Authority that receive substantial taxpayer funds without sufficient accountability for delivering tangible results. To address this, I will advocate for robust performance evaluation systems that measure outcomes and ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Results-driven contracts and transparent reporting will be essential in holding these agencies accountable.
Furthermore, I am committed to an inclusive budgeting process that involves community input, business collaboration, and stakeholder engagement. By incorporating diverse perspectives, we can make informed decisions that align with the needs and priorities of our city.
Alexis Mercedes Rinck
As a government budget professional, I firmly believe in fiscal prudence, strong bond ratings, and diligent oversight. All public budget discussions should begin with a thorough accounting of service obligations and an honest evaluation of revenue streams. If there is a gap, all options need to be on the table, including reforms and consolidations of redundancies and critically evaluating underutilized or inefficient services.
However, no public official can in any good conscience categorically rule out seeking new progressive revenue if essential public services are on the line and would deteriorate without further investment.
Seattle must aspire to be the best run municipal government in the country and deliver the critical public services Downtown depends on. All tools have to be on the table to maintain that commitment to the public.
Question 4
Top Voter Concerns: What do you believe are the top three issues on voters’ minds right now, and how would you propose addressing them?
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Tanya Woo
I knocked on thousands of doors this past year, I understand that voters’ top concern right now is public safety and that they perceive the largest problems within public safety are homelessness, crime, and drugs. This reality is also demonstrated in the polling by the Downtown Seattle Association and EMC research.
To address homelessness, I am committed to implementing a comprehensive strategy that focuses on shelter, support services, and affordable housing. By collaborating with nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and government agencies, we can expand shelter capacity, invest in affordable housing solutions, and prioritize mental health and addiction treatment programs. My work with the Chinatown Community Watch was successful in reducing unsheltered homelessness in our community.
On crime, I will prioritize community policing efforts, increased police resources, and collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations. Progress can also be made by community alternatives like strengthening neighborhood watch programs, supporting crime prevention initiatives, and promoting effective rehabilitation programs.
I recognize the impact of drugs on our communities and will address this issue through prevention, treatment, and enforcement. I will support substance abuse prevention programs, expand access to treatment and recovery services, and work closely with healthcare providers. Collaboration with law enforcement will help disrupt drug trafficking networks and address the root causes of addiction. The city must conform with state law regarding public drug use because I know that the fentanyl crisis is a totally unique challenge than the crack cocaine epidemic decades ago.
Alexis Mercedes Rinck
#1: Affordability is rapidly approaching a crisis level in Seattle. Nobody should have to work two or more jobs to afford a studio or one-bedroom apartment, but housing scarcity and restrictive zoning and development policies have made high-rents the new normal. I hope to help shape Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan to make room for people of all income levels to find an affordable place to live in our city and access home ownership opportunities to build generational wealth. This will require not only bold leadership in planning, but reforms in permitting, stronger public/private partnerships, and greater coordination with the state to make it easier to build condominiums, utilize sustainable building materials, and support for affordable housing incentives.
#2: We need to honestly confront our public safety challenges and demand evidence-based approaches that are tracked by identified metrics. We need to reduce 911 response times by increasing the size of Seattle’s new CARE Department and increase the independence of their responders. Investing in alternative responders will free up the police to respond to calls only they can respond to while providing responsive care to public health-related calls for service.
I am also excited to pursue local recruitment and training strategies that can help bring civic-minded young people into careers in safety and service who represent our city’s values and diversity. Let’s improve outreach into our high schools and Seattle Colleges, continue incentives, and reform the culture of SPD to build an urban police department that is accountable and able to serve our communities.
#3: Providing housing and shelter to our neighbors experiencing homelessness must be a bigger priority to make progress. We know that 90% of people who receive permanent supportive housing get off the street and stay off the street. We also know that intermediate enhanced shelter options like tiny house villages lead to a high rate of people transitioning off the street and leaving encampments in public spaces. As a councilmember, I will fight for homelessness policies that lead to a real and sustained difference in the community, and not just move people from one park to another with no effective resolution.
Question 5
Parts of Downtown are known for open-air drug markets, rampant shoplifting and elaborate fencing operations. What steps would you recommend to break this cycle?
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Tanya Woo
To tackle the challenges of open-air drug markets, rampant shoplifting, and fencing operations in parts of downtown, we need a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy. It’s not just about enacting legislative reforms or changing policies; we must also bolster our law enforcement’ presence and improve coordination with diversion and resource groups like “We Deliver Care” and LEAD. I believe establishing an ongoing, multi-agency task force dedicated to addressing these issues is essential. Additionally, building stronger relationships between officers and community groups is key, especially in areas like 12th and Jackson, where many of those purchasing illegal goods are elders.
We must invest in culturally responsive social services and rehabilitation programs. Expanding access to addiction treatment, harm reduction, and mental health care will reduce the demand for drugs. I’ve been advocating for mobile units to dispense medication for addiction treatment. We should provide job training and transitional housing to support individuals seeking to exit street-level crime, while deploying caseworkers who can build trust with at-risk individuals and offer critical support.
Targeting the supply chain of fencing operations is also crucial. Dismantling these operations, which create a marketplace for stolen goods, must be a priority. We should educate the public about the impact of buying stolen goods and invest in well-lit, active public spaces to deter criminal activity. Local businesses and residents can reclaim these areas by hosting community events and initiatives.
By uniting law enforcement, social services, and community action, we can address the root causes of crime, reduce recidivism, and foster a safer, more vibrant downtown.
Alexis Mercedes Rinck
Urban spaces reflect the incentives of the environment. For example, without active open storefronts in the commercial core of 3rd Avenue to attract broader activation that area has essentially become an infamous example of the type of environment noted in the question.
I have read about bold and ambitious plans to remake the more troubled sections of Downtown and seen little progress. We need smaller storefronts to encourage a greater variety and diversity of small business owners, 24 hour and late night activations to ensure more continuous activity and presence, and expanded hours for alternative public safety presence like We Deliver Care, REACH, and Park Rangers. Also, as noted above, we need to ensure that police patrols are proactive in addressing criminal activity, including retail crimes, trafficking, and narcotics distribution.
Public spaces become activated by using them. Making Downtown a fun and vibrant place needs to be a cornerstone of our public safety strategy.
Question 6
If there are any important details about your candidacy that you were unable to provide in response to the previous questions, please take this opportunity to share that information here:
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Tanya Woo
Thank you for this opportunity to share some important details about my candidacy. With deep roots in Seattle since my family’s immigration in 1887, I have firsthand experience of the city’s changes. I’ve witnessed the consequences of policies that neglect neighborhoods and aim to change that.
The greatest difference between my opponent and myself is my emphasis on results over ideology. I prioritize tangible outcomes that make a difference in people’s lives. I spearheaded the renovation of the Louisa hotel, providing small business space and workforce housing. I co-lead the Chinatown Community Watch which has put me face to face with the realities of the homelessness and fentanyl crisis. I understand the challenges faced by people in Seattle.
I am committed to amplifying marginalized voices and working towards practical solutions. My fight against government discrimination in one of the most endangered neighborhoods in the nation has taught me the power of representation.
I am a small business owner, my family operates a neighborhood restaurant in the Chinatown International District called “Kau Kau.”
I want to end by saying that many neighborhoods are underserved, underfunded, and underrepresented. Together, we can make our neighborhoods safer and more affordable. I have before and I will again turn challenges into solutions and transform words into action.
Alexis Mercedes Rinck
I am proud to be running a strong, energized campaign that seeks to unify Seattle after years of divisive politics in our city. I believe the overwhelming majority of Seattle residents want to see more– and better trained– law enforcement as well as an effective and compassionate response to the crises of homelessness and substance use. I believe we can unite around an affordable housing strategy. I believe we can protect wages and worker rights without ignoring the concerns of cost-burdened small businesses.
None of these are simple issues, but none will be resolved with finger pointing and reactionary policies. Reinforcing divisions is never the way to find common ground.
I think we can do better as a city, and I am excited to work with everyone in Seattle to bring the positive change we deserve.