Sasha Anderson
Sasha Anderson ran for election to the Seattle City Council to represent District 4 in Washington. Anderson lost in the primary on August 6, 2019.
Anderson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2019
See also: City elections in Seattle, Washington (2019)
General election
General election for Seattle City Council District 4
Alex Pedersen defeated Shaun Scott in the general election for Seattle City Council District 4 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Alex Pedersen (Nonpartisan) | 51.9 | 16,954 | |
| Shaun Scott (Nonpartisan) | 47.7 | 15,568 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 119 | ||
| Total votes: 32,641 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Seattle City Council District 4
The following candidates ran in the primary for Seattle City Council District 4 on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Alex Pedersen (Nonpartisan) | 40.4 | 10,447 | |
| ✔ | Shaun Scott (Nonpartisan) | 23.3 | 6,020 | |
| Emily Myers (Nonpartisan) | 12.8 | 3,326 | ||
| Cathy Tuttle (Nonpartisan) | 12.8 | 3,322 | ||
| Heidi Stuber (Nonpartisan) | 3.8 | 981 | ||
| Beth Mountsier (Nonpartisan) | 2.8 | 718 | ||
| Sasha Anderson (Nonpartisan) | 1.3 | 328 | ||
| Joshua Newman (Nonpartisan) | 1.2 | 317 | ||
| Frank Krueger (Nonpartisan) | 0.9 | 237 | ||
| Ethan Hunter (Nonpartisan) | 0.5 | 119 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 71 | ||
| Total votes: 25,886 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Sasha Anderson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Anderson's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
"My top three priorities if elected to Seattle City Council would be: Environmental Sustainability, Affordable Housing, and Reliable Transportation. Below are more details on why these are the top three priorities, as well as specifics on what I would like to accomplish. Environmental Sustainability: I believe every Seattleite, whether they have lived here for four months or forty years, takes our role as stewards of the environment seriously. We all appreciate how close we are to hiking trails and campsites, and truly value our lakes, parks, and rivers. Because of this we strive to do better, and with a deep understanding of the current state of our global environment, we know we need to do more to adapt and mitigate to our changing climate, and become more resilient. We have taken strides locally by banning plastic bags from grocery stores, and going straw-less. The council’s current efforts to implement legislation focused on maintaining our urban canopy underscores commitment to our green spaces and recognizes the role our canopy plays in carbon sequestration. To build a stronger city, we must continue to protect our natural resources and grow a greener economy. As a leader on environmental sustainability, other cities look to our policies and follow our example. ?I will work hard on city council to: • Institute a congestion tax in downtown Seattle to offset carbon emissions and fund free public transit. • Collaborate with the city and county’s storm water scientists to address leaky side sewers that are causing human waste to enter our water sources. • Update the City of Seattle’s sewage infrastructure to ensure storm water surges are not adversely impacting our fisheries, and thus our Orca population. • Collaborate with city planners, economists, and other stakeholders to identify equitable solutions for carbon taxation and dividends. • Implement new permit requirements for the “Trees For All” program, ensuring trees cut down for development will be replaced. • Collaborate with Seattle Public Parks and District 4 constituents to identify green spaces in need of restoration. Affordable Housing: Seattle can be an affordable and inclusive city, and in order to achieve this, we must collectively address our housing crisis in a way that accounts for every resident and ensures we all benefit. Our current council has taken important steps to address our housing crisis with Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) implementation, and the responsibility will continue to rest on the council’s shoulders to ensure it is executed smoothly. I will work hard on the city council to address affordable and attainable housing by: • Supporting the expansion of MHA legislation and legalizing condos and row houses city-wide, while monitoring the impact it is having on community members, and course correcting as appropriate. • Making ‘Housing First’ the standard in our city for our homeless community members, and ensuring those most vulnerable have access to compassionate care services. • Helping our aging neighbors to stay in their homes by raising the financial ceiling they have live under in order to receive property tax and utility breaks. • Collaborating with housing nonprofits, local businesses, developers and other stakeholders to conduct ongoing needs assessments of homeless community members. Reliable Transportation: Seattle can be a city that is easy to get around in and prioritizes public transit over single occupancy vehicles. Light rail is being invested in and expanded, and we have made significant strides in terms of quality transportation for constituents. Vision Zero is another excellent example of the good work that has been done to make our streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers alike. As a councilwoman, I will continue to promote reliable public transportation and safety by: • Partnering with King County Metro and Sound Transit to ensure constituents’ concerns and needs are being heard and accounted for with the creation and re-routing of bus lines between light-rail stations in District 4. • Effectively collaborating with the Mayor’s office to ensure the Executive and Legislative branches are working together and the city follows through with the Bicycle Master Plan. • Working with SDOT to turn citizen concern regarding lack of safe crosswalks in District 4 into action and install lights in high pedestrian traffic areas. • Work with King County Metro to ensure a Rapid Ride is opened on Eastlake, making the commute for D4 residents downtown easy and efficient."
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
The list of public policy issues I am passionate about could go on forever… In addition the issues I listed in the first question, I am also extremely passionate about: International Development and Foreign Relations Political Economy Energy, Environmental and Science Policy International Trade Social Policy and Inequality Labor Economics Education Policy
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
There are so many people I look up to and aspire to be like: my parents, colleagues, mentors, and friends, as well as local, national, and international leaders and public figures. Although I could make an extensive list of names, what I would like to share are the attributes these people have in common. Every single person whom I look up to has strong morals and ethics, and is unafraid to speak truth to power. They are people of integrity who work hard everyday to make their corner of the world a better place. They also know how to pick their battles while simultaneously nurture their relationships with loved ones and themselves. They have amazing senses of humor and can just as easily make a joke as they can talk about their passions, current issues, and their political philosophy. I work hard to do these things everyday as well, but when I am struggling, I always remind myself to think about the folks I look up to for inspiration.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
I believe integrity, dedication, and passion are the three most important characteristics of someone who is seeking public office. Constituents need to believe in the person they are electing, and that happens when they know the candidate has unshakeable principles, is 100% dedicated to improving their community and the world around them, and has the passion and drive to work hard and achieve goals that will make progress possible.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I believe I would make a good officeholder because the characteristics I listed above as being the most important for someone in an elected position are the same ones that I possess. I am dedicated to public service, having worked in the field throughout my career. I am extremely passionate about social justice, community building, and collaborating with stakeholders from all background. Most of all, I have integrity, and will not compromise my ethics and morals for anything. I truly believe in all of the good that can be done when elected officials lead with these three qualities, and that is why I am running for office.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to leave a legacy of trust between constituents and the council, as well as a track record of completing projects that make a positive difference in the community. Government functions best when constituents know their elected officials are working hard for them, and are delivering on the promises they make. This is what I want to accomplish in office, and will do so by being available to the community and engaging as much as possible with constituents, and working tirelessly on our most pressing issues of affordable housing, transportation, climate change, homelessness, public safety.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The Gulf War. I was just about 10 and saw the breaking news alert come on right after family dinner.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Although I had babysat for family friends since I was 12, my first official job was working at a cannery for a summer when I was 16. My dad insisted that I take this particular job so that I could truly understand the importance of a high school diploma. He gently shared with me that many people don’t get a choice of where to work, and that it was important for me to experience what working in a low paying/difficult labor position would be like. He could not have been more correct - it was a life changing experience.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
This is a tough one! Thanksgiving, because I love gathering with family and friends and hearing what everyone is thankful for. This is closely followed by Halloween - I love planning out costumes and tricker-treating with my nieces and nephews!
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
The fireplace. It is so wonderful in the winter and pairs perfectly with a cold day, hot cup of coffee, and a good book.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
"I would walk 500 miles" by the Proclaimers. It wasn't in my head until I read this question though...
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Coming out of the closet. I grew up in a small town during a time when there were no out role models. Thankfully I have an incredibly supportive group of friends and family who treated me wonderfully.
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
I believe a key responsibility of this office that more people should be aware of is working strategically and effectively with other council members and elected officials. Our districts in Seattle do not exist in bubbles, they are all connected, and the health of each district is tied to the health and future of Seattle as a whole. It is important for constituents to know that their representative has the power, and therefore the responsibility, to ensure they collaborate with other elected officials to make Seattle the best city it can be for all residents.
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
See above!
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
I believe it is beneficial for a person seeking this office to have professional experience in public service of some type, but not necessarily in government or politics. I believe what is absolutely necessary for people seeking elected office to have is a deep commitment to public service, love for people and community, integrity, passion, and dedication.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
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