City of Tacoma

Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker is running for re-election for At-Large Position 8 on the Tacoma City Council. Prior to serving on the city council, Walker spent nine years as the executive director of Downtown on the Go, a Tacoma-based transportation advocacy organization that aims to encourage the use of biking, walking, and transit. 

During her first term in office, Walker has prioritized addressing racial disparities, expanding shelter options, and investing more in affordable housing. She supported the Home in Tacoma initiative to promote a greater range of housing options in more neighborhoods and reduce the cost of housing. She has also used her experience in transportation advocacy to improve access and keep our streets safe, including supporting legislation to lower the speed limit to 20 mph in residential areas. Unfortunately, Walker was part of a 6-3 majority on the city council that banned people without a home from sleeping outside near services. 

If re-elected, Walker would prioritize creating jobs, improving transportation access, and preserving local green spaces for all Tacoma residents. In addition, she is committed to reducing gun violence and improving public safety

Walker faces challenges this year from Todd Briske and Hunter Henderson. Briske is a web developer who ran for state legislature last year against Speaker Laurie Jinkins as part of the Forward Party. He does not appear to have much community or political leadership experience. He states that he would focus on paving potholes, hiring more police officers, and building more shelter beds, though he doesn't say how he would accomplish this. 

Henderson works at the Washington State Department of Transportation. Previously, he served as an AmeriCorps member with Pierce County Parks and Recreation distributing trees across the region. Henderson's campaign priorities include updating Tacoma's municipal codes to be more equitable and expanding education opportunities for people who want to learn trades. 

Walker's track record on the council and strong support from our Progressive Voters Guide partners makes her the clear choice in this race.

Jamika Scott is running for Tacoma City Council from District 3. She previously ran against Mayor Victoria Woodards in 2021 but lost in the primary election. 

Scott has worked as a domestic violence advocate at YWCA Pierce County and mentored students with AmeriCorps at Peace Community Center. She is also a co-founder and organizer with the Tacoma Action Collective and a board member with the Tacoma Public Library Foundation Board of Directors. Since her run for mayor, she joined the Tacoma Public Library Foundation board and the Tacoma Arts Commission. 

Scott is running to bring her lifetime of experience in community activism to the Tacoma City Council. If elected, she would prioritize improving community safety through alternatives to law enforcement. She wants to expand access to mental health advocates to respond to emergency calls instead of police. In addition, she supports utilizing a restorative justice model that attempts to repair the harm done instead of only punishing offenders. 

Scott is a good choice for Tacoma City Council in District 3 if you're looking for a very progressive candidate with deep roots in the community.

Three candidates are vying to serve on the Tacoma Civil Service Commission in Position 3 in this low-information race.

Myrah Lyle Ballentine works in administrative and student support at Tacoma Community College. She is also a board member and the secretary of the Tacoma Central Neighborhood Council, one of the city’s recognized community councils. Ballentine’s track record in community service has given her strong insight into the issues facing people who work, study, and live in Tacoma.

Like her opponents, Ballentine does not have a campaign website as of mid-July, but her campaign statement in the local voters guide emphasizes her community relationships and desire to improve the quality of life for all Tacoma residents. She stands apart from her opponents in this race because of key endorsements from the local Democrats and county union leadership.

Max J. Heller III, a security guard for the Tacoma Dome and Democratic precinct committee officer, is also running for the civil service commission. He has previously run for local and statewide seats and has volunteered with community services that help our unhoused neighbors. If elected, he wants to be a voice for workers.

Anti-establishment candidate Jonathan Cassis is the final choice in this race. Cassis works at Costco and is running on a platform to “audit America” that holds some progressive ideals but fails to connect to real issues facing Tacoma residents. He has a strong pro-worker stance but has no community leadership experience nor has he articulated a campaign platform with specific policy recommendations.

In this low-information race, we believe Myrah Lyle Ballentine is the best choice because of her endorsements and community leadership experience.