Amid a rise in gun violence across the city, five leading mayoral candidates face off on gun violence prevention and police accountability in largest mayoral forum so far 

SEATTLE, WA – Five leading Seattle mayoral candidates shared distinct visions for public safety today in a gun violence forum hosted by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility and Grandmothers Against Gun Violence. The event was moderated by South Seattle Emerald founder and Seattle Times columnist Marcus Harrison Green. Colleen Echohawk, Andrew Grant Houston, Lorena Gonzalez, Jessyn Farrell, and Bruce Harrell participated. More than 220 prospective Seattle voters joined the event to hear the candidates’ plans firsthand. It will be re-streamed on Facebook this evening at 7pm PT. 

“We know that Seattle voters want a mayor who understands the urgency and complexity of the gun violence epidemic,” said Renée Hopkins, Alliance for Gun Responsibility CEO. “Today we heard from five candidates who are eager to address the crisis and have differing views on how to do so. As the head of Washington’s biggest city, the Seattle mayor has a huge role to play in the fight against gun violence, overseeing law enforcement, implementing state gun laws, funding community-based violence prevention programs, keeping our schools safe, and more. Our city deserves a leader who will prioritize the fight to end gun violence in all its forms and create a public safety system that makes all Seattleites feel safe.” 

Public safety re-emerged as a top issue for Seattle voters last year in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others. Historic racial justice protests prompted reflection on the meaning of public safety and reevaluation of our current system. At the same time, pandemic-induced economic hardship and social disruption increased the risk of gun violence. Seattle, like nearly every major city across the country, saw a spike in gun violence. In 2020, the city saw the highest number of homicides in a quarter century. So far, 2021 is on track to be deadlier. 

All five participating candidates agreed that gun violence is preventable but shared distinct views for using mayoral powers to address it. In a “Flash Round,” the candidates committed to creating a cabinet-level position dedicated to addressing gun violence. They also committed to launching a citywide public education campaign to increase awareness about Extreme Risk Protection Orders. They differed, however, on some specifics like lobbying to change Washington’s pre-emption law to allow localities more leeway in passing their own gun safety policies. Candidates also received specific questions from community members about their records. 

The forum was recorded and can be viewed on Facebook here. If you would like to use footage from the event, please reach out to [email protected] to access the recording. 

The Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund will issue a mayoral endorsement soon. Other primary endorsements can be seen here. 

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