Seattle City Council District 9 candidates debate taxes, surveillance, and SOAP and SODA zones

Libby Denkmann

Sarah Leibovitz

October 15, 2025 / 9:34 am

Two candidates are running for the citywide Seattle City Council District 9 seat this fall. Whoever wins will have a big year ahead of them, amid a looming budget deficit, potential federal funding cuts, and the threat of federal troops being sent to the city.

Incumbent Sara Nelson was elected to the position in 2021 and has served as city council president since January 2024. She is the co-founder of Fremont Brewing. Nelson says she is running for re-election to continue addressing public safety, expand access to on-demand treatment for the city’s homeless population, and deliver results for the city.

Challenger Dionne Foster is t

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