Seattle’s progressive wave sweeps Rinck and Lin into office with bold mandates
Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Seattle's most progressive councilmember, has secured a landslide re-election with 79% of the votes. Meanwhile, Eddie Lin, an assistant city attorney, has won the open race for District 2 with 69% of votes, focusing on affordable housing and homelessness. Lin will be sworn in as the representative for District 2 in January 2026.
Rinck's victory comes after a notable achievement in her previous term. She successfully campaigned for and got a B&O tax restructure approved by voters, providing relief for small businesses. Her progressive platform, which includes a local capital gains tax and other progressive taxes, resonated with Seattle voters.
Rinck's win was also a result of the defeat of incumbent Sara Nelson, who focused on addressing crime and homelessness. Nelson, a former council president, approved 14 public safety-related bills in 2014. However, her SODA and SOAP ordinances, aimed at disrupting drug-related crime and sex trafficking, were not enough to secure her re-election.
Eddie Lin's victory in District 2 was driven by his focus on affordable housing and homelessness. He will represent South Seattle and the Chinatown-International District, taking over from Nelson. Lin's win is a testament to voters' priorities in the district.
The re-election of Alexis Mercedes Rinck and the victory of Eddie Lin in District 2 signal a shift in Seattle's political landscape. Voters have shown support for progressive taxation and a focus on affordable housing and homelessness. As Rinck and Lin prepare to take office, Seattle looks forward to their leadership in addressing these critical issues.
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