Hollingsworth in Denny Blaine (Image: CHS)

Candidate Hudson meeting the residents of D3 (Image: CHS)

There are forums and meet and greets, platforms and media releases. But you can also learn a lot about a candidate by watching the way they meet a voter and ask for their support. Saturday, CHS hit the pavement around District 3 as candidates Joy Hollingsworth and Alex Hudson worked with their campaign teams to walk the neighborhoods and meet voters — and make their cases for election.

With general elections swiftly approaching, Seattle City Council candidates Joy Hollingsworth and Alex Hudson spent this past Saturday conducting door-to-door canvassing throughout District 3. Hollingsworth’s deep community roots play to one strategic advantage through her knowledge of district-wide issues and ability to relate to the community. She carried herself with confidence Saturday and didn’t shy away from introducing herself to walkers with golden retrievers passing by.

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Want to know more about the candidates? Attend a local forum including the Central Area Neighborhood District Council and Leschi Community Candidate Forum — Wednesday, October 4th 7 PM

Hudson’s personality, on the other hand, is to meet individuals at their doorsteps. She didn’t hesitate when providing information about her skills or experience. She shares why she’s passionate about running, and listens to what concerns residents hold.

Hollingsworth was born and raised in the Central District, with a background in sustainability and community work. She says she is running on improving essential city services, creating tangible goals to measure progress, and amplifying voices of residents— not as a whole district, but by each neighborhood. She spent the earlier part of her Saturday morning canvassing with MLK Labor, which hosted a door-knocking event to support labor-endorsed Seattle candidates. After, she canvassed in the Denny Blaine area and met a couple who were on their wraparound porch.

“You’re the first person we’ve met in the district,” one of the homerenters told Hollingsworth. “In previous years, we just never met them [district candidates and councilmembers]. There’s disconnection, but they’re supposed to represent us. It’s kind of wild.”

(Image: CHS)

Two minutes into their conversation, Hollingsworth had the group laughing, initiated by asking personal questions about the pair. She asked what issues they care about, and what they would like to see in terms of positive changes.

“It hurts me to see people without any help,” one of the renter’s said about homelessness in the city.

The resident said burglaries and theft combined with minimal police response is another worrisome issue. They wish to see accountability of those inflicting harm, especially as someone who has been a victim of car and property crime.

Hollingsworth says part of her public safety priorities include reducing response times for all priority calls, while prioritizing police accountability and transparent oversight. When it comes to assisting those experiencing homelessness, Hollingsworth wants to increase emergency shelter options, including family shelters and LGBTQ+ shelters. She also hopes to centralize a hub that would navigate all resources for those experiencing homelessness, and improve public safety for those living in encampments.

The homerenters talked more about the affordability and housing crisis, and how they’re the only individuals on their street who rent property instead of owning. Hollingsworth explained how she hopes to invest in middle-housing options, and expand affordable housing options for the workforce. She hopes to streamline the housing permitting process and improve family housing options for first-time buyers.

Why you should vote for Joy Hollingsworth in the Seattle City Council District 3 primary

“We’re excited about you,” the homerenter told Hollingsworth. “What can we do to help?”

Hollingsworth replied by spreading the word of her candidacy and by voting.

Hollingsworth and her team canvassed an area of D3 where her candidacy seemed favorable to voters based on data obtained by her campaign team. The Denny Blaine Park neighborhood is filled with mansions and has a smaller population density than other areas of the district. When residents weren’t home, Hollingsworth made an effort to drop-off her info-leaflet with a handwritten message saying, “Sorry I missed you.”

Hollingsworth has been canvassing daily, she said. Her campaign and canvassing team, several volunteers, and her brother Raft, showed up on Saturday to assist, and began regularly canvassing a few weeks ago.

When it becomes closer to election day, Rebbeca Kuhn, campaign manager, said phone banks and text messaging banks will be initiated. The phone and text list is pulled and filtered to reach individuals with consistent voting patterns and turnout, according to Kuhn, adding that they’re creating strategies, like calling older adults during midday. From now until election day, Hollingsworth will continue to canvas with her team, and attend candidate debates and community events.

Hudson (Image: CHS)

The Hudson Team
When Hudson canvasses, she highlights her skills and experience in nonprofit housing and transportation initiatives, like formerly serving as the executive director of the Transportation Choices Coalition, a transportation advocacy org. Hudson spent her Saturday canvassing around 22nd and E Pine, which she said are areas with registered voters likely to vote in the general election.

“Obviously, it’s the most effective way to connect with voters,” Hudson said.

Hudson explained how canvassing allows her to see new developments across the district, which she said is important because she is running on a housing-needs related platform.

She approached a house she formerly canvassed that was in support during the primaries, and full of kittens. Hudson asked about the family’s personal lives, while sharing details about her own. Garfield High School and education took up much of the conversation, and Hudson said her daughter recently began her freshman year at the high school.

Hudson said that one in 12 children are housing insecure. Communities Count, an organization that tracks the health and wellbeing of King County communities, cited that from 2016-2017, one in 13 Seattle children experienced housing insecurity.

Why you should vote for Alex Hudson in the Seattle City Council District 3 primary

The homeowners told Hudson that she has their support, and that they value her efforts to reduce homelessness and address housing insecurity in the district.

“Alex is our community member, and Alex shows up,” one of the homeowners, said.

Sometimes canvassing means knocking on doors and having to quickly pitch yourself as a candidate. Hudson’s fist met a light brown door, and the homeowner, Amy, opened it.

“What makes you stand out?” Amy asked.

(Image: CHS)

Hudson said her experiences and skills make her stand out. She provided her perspective on how things aren’t working well enough in terms of housing, and mentioned how seniors are the fastest growing unhoused population. Hudson’s housing initiative includes automatically enrolling seniors and individuals on fixed incomes for property tax deferral programs. Amy accepted Hudson’s info-leaflet and the two parted ways.

Hudson is also running on a transportation-oriented platform, and believes you shouldn’t have to own a car to buy a gallon of milk. She approached a vibrant house, and was met with a smile.

“Alex, you have my vote,” said Branden, a professor of urban planning at the University of Washington. “We’ve got a split household here, though.”

The resident and Hudson talked about how it’s important for local leaders to try new things and implement diverse ideas to create change towards a more housing and transit-friendly district.

“I love how you have a car-free household,” the man said.

He chuckled about how he has two cars and no children, while Hudson is car-free and with a child, but said he makes an effort to be a bicyclist and transit-rider. Hudson’s transportation initiative includes building a network of safe routes for walkers, bikers, and rollers which can be connected to good transportation services.

The voter said he hopes to see the Seattle City Council maintain progressive values while creating change, and feels as those concerns—like the fentanyl and housing crises—are going unaddressed.

In the final weeks leading up to the November 7th election, Hudson will continue to canvass and show up at community events, while also conducting phone and text banks, she said.

Ballots will begin hitting mailboxes the week of October 16th.

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