Evan Sexton
@esexto.bsky.social
Graduate student at @brownuniversity, occasional writer. Made in the Pacific Northwest.
This, famously, is why Pike Place Market was converted into high-rise apartments, offices and hotels back in ‘71
After public comment, historical commission chair Jonathan Cracolici is picking apart a comment from Bruce Harrell about making Pike Place the best "pedestrian experience" in the county.
He says it should be the best "customer experience," because it's a market that's there for people to make money.
He says it should be the best "customer experience," because it's a market that's there for people to make money.
November 13, 2025 at 4:08 AM
This, famously, is why Pike Place Market was converted into high-rise apartments, offices and hotels back in ‘71
One of the funny things about this whole saga is that the Hawthorne Hills Community Council decided to oppose the lanes, despite 35th not being in Hawthorne Hills.
The HHCC then dissolved until last year when they resurrected to oppose the Bryant NC, which is also not located in Hawthorne Hills!
The HHCC then dissolved until last year when they resurrected to oppose the Bryant NC, which is also not located in Hawthorne Hills!
You know, a boss move for a new administration would be to stripe bike lanes on 35th Ave. NE, just like the original plan. #Safe35th
Mayor Durkan Cancels 35th Ave NE Bike Lanes, Caves To Anti-Safe Streets Advocates » The Urbanist
# Behind closed doors earlier today, recently appointed director of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Samuel Zimbabwe, interim transportation advisor to Mayor Jenny Durkan, Elliot Helmb...
www.theurbanist.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:18 AM
One of the funny things about this whole saga is that the Hawthorne Hills Community Council decided to oppose the lanes, despite 35th not being in Hawthorne Hills.
The HHCC then dissolved until last year when they resurrected to oppose the Bryant NC, which is also not located in Hawthorne Hills!
The HHCC then dissolved until last year when they resurrected to oppose the Bryant NC, which is also not located in Hawthorne Hills!
Reposted by Evan Sexton
Katie Wilson has been elected Seattle's next mayor
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Katie Wilson elected Seattle’s next mayor
Wilson took a 1,976-vote lead over Bruce Harrell. With a maximum of 1,320 ballots remaining, it is mathematically impossible for Harrell to catch up.
www.seattletimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Katie Wilson has been elected Seattle's next mayor
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Mayor-elect Wilson will be working with a divided City Council. Mercedes-Rinck, Foster, Lin and Strauss will make up a left block, while Rivera, Saka, Juarez and Kettle will make up a centrist block.
Joy Hollingsworth, somewhat in the middle, is likely to be a decisive vote on many issues.
Joy Hollingsworth, somewhat in the middle, is likely to be a decisive vote on many issues.
November 12, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Mayor-elect Wilson will be working with a divided City Council. Mercedes-Rinck, Foster, Lin and Strauss will make up a left block, while Rivera, Saka, Juarez and Kettle will make up a centrist block.
Joy Hollingsworth, somewhat in the middle, is likely to be a decisive vote on many issues.
Joy Hollingsworth, somewhat in the middle, is likely to be a decisive vote on many issues.
Today: In Seattle, Katie Wilson's success with late-counted and late-arriving ballots is likely going to elect her Mayor.
Also today: The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to the legality of late-arriving ballots: www.seattletimes.com/nation-world...
Also today: The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to the legality of late-arriving ballots: www.seattletimes.com/nation-world...
Supreme Court will decide whether states can count late-arriving mail ballots, a Trump target
The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether states can continue their practice of counting mail ballots that arrive after Election Day.
www.seattletimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Today: In Seattle, Katie Wilson's success with late-counted and late-arriving ballots is likely going to elect her Mayor.
Also today: The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to the legality of late-arriving ballots: www.seattletimes.com/nation-world...
Also today: The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge to the legality of late-arriving ballots: www.seattletimes.com/nation-world...
Honestly pretty hard to imagine a path for the Mayor even with such a tiny lead - cured ballots skew much younger than the general electorate.
Probably can't call it yet, but effectively close to over imo.
Probably can't call it yet, but effectively close to over imo.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Honestly pretty hard to imagine a path for the Mayor even with such a tiny lead - cured ballots skew much younger than the general electorate.
Probably can't call it yet, but effectively close to over imo.
Probably can't call it yet, but effectively close to over imo.
Reposted by Evan Sexton
I always enjoy the people who when you show them one graph, they ask for a different one, then you show them that and they ask for a different one.
Eventually need to do 4 hours of data cleaning to give a 300 follower rando the 18th graph that will show what is REALLY going on.
Eventually need to do 4 hours of data cleaning to give a 300 follower rando the 18th graph that will show what is REALLY going on.
November 9, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I always enjoy the people who when you show them one graph, they ask for a different one, then you show them that and they ask for a different one.
Eventually need to do 4 hours of data cleaning to give a 300 follower rando the 18th graph that will show what is REALLY going on.
Eventually need to do 4 hours of data cleaning to give a 300 follower rando the 18th graph that will show what is REALLY going on.
As an often-late voter, I do not want things to change out of self-interest.
However, we could totally change the system to require ballot arrival before election day (this is common in absentee systems outside the West Coast).
However, we could totally change the system to require ballot arrival before election day (this is common in absentee systems outside the West Coast).
I love vote by mail but this part sucks
Seattleites watching Mamdani cruise to victory while waiting for +Wilson ballot drops
November 8, 2025 at 12:32 AM
As an often-late voter, I do not want things to change out of self-interest.
However, we could totally change the system to require ballot arrival before election day (this is common in absentee systems outside the West Coast).
However, we could totally change the system to require ballot arrival before election day (this is common in absentee systems outside the West Coast).
Wilson should make up the gap here - but the eventual margin is likely to be smaller than the number of signature-challenged ballots (there are 2,053 according to King County).
We may yet be in the Land of Lawyers.
We may yet be in the Land of Lawyers.
NEW Seattle Numbers---
The Mayor's Race is razor tight.
Harrell 50.74
Wilson 48.86
A little over 4000 vote difference
Wilson just made up a lot of ground.
@komonews
The Mayor's Race is razor tight.
Harrell 50.74
Wilson 48.86
A little over 4000 vote difference
Wilson just made up a lot of ground.
@komonews
November 8, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Wilson should make up the gap here - but the eventual margin is likely to be smaller than the number of signature-challenged ballots (there are 2,053 according to King County).
We may yet be in the Land of Lawyers.
We may yet be in the Land of Lawyers.
Reposted by Evan Sexton
gonna just use this as a plug for actual LOCAL journalists—human beings who are familiar with local elections, as opposed to algorithmic betting machines that can and do get basic things wrong
Ah. Decision desk has (improperly) called it. election-night.decisiondeskhq.com/date/2025-11...
November 4, 2025 Live Election Results | DDHQ
Live Election Night Results from Decision Desk HQ
election-night.decisiondeskhq.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:09 AM
gonna just use this as a plug for actual LOCAL journalists—human beings who are familiar with local elections, as opposed to algorithmic betting machines that can and do get basic things wrong
Yeah - if this latest batch just still doesn’t include down boxes, Katie Wilson definitely the favored candidate here.
Thursday drop. Wilson trails Harrell by 9,908, 5.7%. The gap begins to close.
We are apparently STILL not into a drop box sample yet, or only including some drop box data. There's a TON of votes expected to lean Wilson out there.
We are apparently STILL not into a drop box sample yet, or only including some drop box data. There's a TON of votes expected to lean Wilson out there.
November 6, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Yeah - if this latest batch just still doesn’t include down boxes, Katie Wilson definitely the favored candidate here.
This isn’t the margin she needs, but it is enough to keep anyone from calling this one anytime soon.
Tomorrow’s batch should say a lot. If she still isn’t hitting her target, the path will narrow fast.
Tomorrow’s batch should say a lot. If she still isn’t hitting her target, the path will narrow fast.
🚨 In the latest tally, Katie Wilson has gained vote share in the Seattle mayoral race. Today's batch broke 51.63% for Wilson and 48.11% for Bruce Harrell. Harrell still leads with 52.64% of the vote while Wilson still trails with 46.93% of the vote.
In the latest tally, Bruce Harrell's lead has grown by 2,864 votes. He now leads with 53.84% of the vote. King County counted another 20,804 votes in the mayoral race today, bringing the total number of ballots counted to 139,173. Today's batch broke 56.71% for Harrell and 42.94% for Katie Wilson.
November 6, 2025 at 11:49 PM
This isn’t the margin she needs, but it is enough to keep anyone from calling this one anytime soon.
Tomorrow’s batch should say a lot. If she still isn’t hitting her target, the path will narrow fast.
Tomorrow’s batch should say a lot. If she still isn’t hitting her target, the path will narrow fast.
Katie Wilson came in at 46.21% on election night in the Primary. Today, she’s at 46.18%. She finished with 50.75%.
It’s a very, very thin margin - but at this point I’d rather be Wilson.
It’s a very, very thin margin - but at this point I’d rather be Wilson.
November 5, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Katie Wilson came in at 46.21% on election night in the Primary. Today, she’s at 46.18%. She finished with 50.75%.
It’s a very, very thin margin - but at this point I’d rather be Wilson.
It’s a very, very thin margin - but at this point I’d rather be Wilson.
Wow. This will be a very close finish.
In Sawant’s (in)famous recall election, she was behind 6.2 points on election night, ultimately winning by 0.8pts.
In Sawant’s (in)famous recall election, she was behind 6.2 points on election night, ultimately winning by 0.8pts.
Mayor Bruce Harrell is up 7 points, 53-46.
November 5, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Wow. This will be a very close finish.
In Sawant’s (in)famous recall election, she was behind 6.2 points on election night, ultimately winning by 0.8pts.
In Sawant’s (in)famous recall election, she was behind 6.2 points on election night, ultimately winning by 0.8pts.
Trying to get these results feels like buying concert tickets
November 5, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Trying to get these results feels like buying concert tickets
Interesting vote from Mamdani here to maintain off-year local elections in NYC.
Seattle progressives have long supported even-year elections for the sake of turnout.
Seattle progressives have long supported even-year elections for the sake of turnout.
Mamdani says our story from last week helped him decide to vote no on prop 6, read it here: nygroove.nyc/proposition-...
November 4, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Interesting vote from Mamdani here to maintain off-year local elections in NYC.
Seattle progressives have long supported even-year elections for the sake of turnout.
Seattle progressives have long supported even-year elections for the sake of turnout.
This story is interesting. I feel like the money from her parents probably should have been the headline, given that Wilson is 43.
Feelings here are nuanced, on one hand I do think grandparents really should be helping w/ young kids, but her husband doesn't have a job? Why do they need childcare?
Feelings here are nuanced, on one hand I do think grandparents really should be helping w/ young kids, but her husband doesn't have a job? Why do they need childcare?
Katie Wilson is running to be Seattle's next mayor despite her own struggles to live comfortably in this increasingly expensive city. In a recent interview with me for @kuow.org, she revealed that she doesn't make ends meet on her own: She gets help from her parents.
Katie Wilson can barely afford to live in Seattle. That's why she wants to be mayor
Katie Wilson presents herself as a sensible coalition-builder who runs a small nonprofit and has lived the working-class life. A renter and a mother, she runs on issues close to her heart. She speaks ...
www.kuow.org
October 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
This story is interesting. I feel like the money from her parents probably should have been the headline, given that Wilson is 43.
Feelings here are nuanced, on one hand I do think grandparents really should be helping w/ young kids, but her husband doesn't have a job? Why do they need childcare?
Feelings here are nuanced, on one hand I do think grandparents really should be helping w/ young kids, but her husband doesn't have a job? Why do they need childcare?
President Trump may want to cut more trees in our National Forests, but the "One Big Beautiful Bill" guarantees those new revenues won't be seen by Washington's logging communities.
Read my latest below:
open.substack.com/pub/esexto/p...
Read my latest below:
open.substack.com/pub/esexto/p...
The One Big Beautiful Bill Is the Latest Measure to Fail Timber Counties in Washington
Reconciliation rules mean timber counties will face another fiscal crisis next year
open.substack.com
October 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM
President Trump may want to cut more trees in our National Forests, but the "One Big Beautiful Bill" guarantees those new revenues won't be seen by Washington's logging communities.
Read my latest below:
open.substack.com/pub/esexto/p...
Read my latest below:
open.substack.com/pub/esexto/p...
Reposted by Evan Sexton
🗳️☑️ Our election endorsements are live! See the full results & questionnaire responses here:
seattleyimby.org/voter-guide/...
Mayor: @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social
District 2: Eddie Lin
District 8: @alexis4seattle.bsky.social
Time to go knock on some doors! 👏
seattleyimby.org/voter-guide/...
Mayor: @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social
District 2: Eddie Lin
District 8: @alexis4seattle.bsky.social
Time to go knock on some doors! 👏
City Council & Mayor, Nov 2025
<p data-block-key="wa2nv">We sent questionnaires to all mayoral and council candidates, asking them about their views and knowledge on housing policy. Based on their responses, our membership identifi...
seattleyimby.org
September 20, 2025 at 2:39 AM
🗳️☑️ Our election endorsements are live! See the full results & questionnaire responses here:
seattleyimby.org/voter-guide/...
Mayor: @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social
District 2: Eddie Lin
District 8: @alexis4seattle.bsky.social
Time to go knock on some doors! 👏
seattleyimby.org/voter-guide/...
Mayor: @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social
District 2: Eddie Lin
District 8: @alexis4seattle.bsky.social
Time to go knock on some doors! 👏
Shame that some of the other NC reductions have passed, but the Wedgwood and Bryant amendments were also just pitifully poor process. There was not even a veneer of a justification.
Very glad to see them fail today.
Very glad to see them fail today.
Rivera's amendment to shrink the Bryant neighborhood center is the first to fail, with Rinck, Strauss, and Juarez voting no and Nelson and Hollingsworth abstaining.
September 18, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Shame that some of the other NC reductions have passed, but the Wedgwood and Bryant amendments were also just pitifully poor process. There was not even a veneer of a justification.
Very glad to see them fail today.
Very glad to see them fail today.
Reposted by Evan Sexton
Rivera's amendment to shrink the Bryant neighborhood center is the first to fail, with Rinck, Strauss, and Juarez voting no and Nelson and Hollingsworth abstaining.
September 18, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Rivera's amendment to shrink the Bryant neighborhood center is the first to fail, with Rinck, Strauss, and Juarez voting no and Nelson and Hollingsworth abstaining.
Reposted by Evan Sexton
It is not too late to tell City Council we want more housing. Sign the Seattle YIMBY petition to the Council supporting what we think are the best amendments. The more signatures the greater impact it will have. And send to your friends. actionnetwork.org/petitions/4f...
Tell City Council To Pass A Bold Comprehensive Plan
The Seattle City Council has a once-in-a-decade chance to address our housing shortage and affordability crisis.
The Comprehensive Plan—Seattle’s regular update that determines how many homes can be...
actionnetwork.org
September 13, 2025 at 7:53 PM
It is not too late to tell City Council we want more housing. Sign the Seattle YIMBY petition to the Council supporting what we think are the best amendments. The more signatures the greater impact it will have. And send to your friends. actionnetwork.org/petitions/4f...
The Comprehensive Plan is a difficult agenda item for all parties involved. Unfortunately, Councilmember Rivera's Amendment for the Bryant NC, #39, misses the mark.
This amendment removes parcels with already-existing apartment buildings, and replaces those parcels with the Ronald McDonald House.
This amendment removes parcels with already-existing apartment buildings, and replaces those parcels with the Ronald McDonald House.
September 11, 2025 at 12:54 AM
The Comprehensive Plan is a difficult agenda item for all parties involved. Unfortunately, Councilmember Rivera's Amendment for the Bryant NC, #39, misses the mark.
This amendment removes parcels with already-existing apartment buildings, and replaces those parcels with the Ronald McDonald House.
This amendment removes parcels with already-existing apartment buildings, and replaces those parcels with the Ronald McDonald House.
Reposted by Evan Sexton
Build 👏🏼more 👏🏼 housing 👏🏼
August 6, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Build 👏🏼more 👏🏼 housing 👏🏼
I’m earnestly not one of the people who is always demanding drivers in accidents face criminal penalties, but this is just egregious.
The driver ran a red light, crashed into a beloved local restaurant, and hospitalized 3 people. They weren’t arrested.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
The driver ran a red light, crashed into a beloved local restaurant, and hospitalized 3 people. They weren’t arrested.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
SUV smashes into crowded Seattle pizzeria, hospitalizing 3
A Chevrolet Tahoe plowed into Mioposto Ravenna’s dining room around 8:20 p.m. when the restaurant was “completely full."
www.seattletimes.com
July 6, 2025 at 3:38 AM
I’m earnestly not one of the people who is always demanding drivers in accidents face criminal penalties, but this is just egregious.
The driver ran a red light, crashed into a beloved local restaurant, and hospitalized 3 people. They weren’t arrested.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
The driver ran a red light, crashed into a beloved local restaurant, and hospitalized 3 people. They weren’t arrested.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...