Seattle City Club and GSBA Team Up To Host City Council Race Debates This October

September 1, 2023• byMichael Strangeways

The Greater Seattle Business Association aka the GSBA aka the Gay Chamber of Commerce for Seattle, is partnering with the Seattle CityClub to host debates for Seattle City Council races in this year’s election cycle. Happening on multiple dates in October, the debates will be held in/for Seattle City Council Districts 1, 3, 4, and 5. Interestingly enough, all four races feature brand new candidates; none of the incumbents in those districts chose to run for re-election this year including Capitol Hill’s controversial councilperson, Kshama Sawant, who is stepping down to concentrate on national efforts at socio-political advocacy.

All the debates will be in public venues to allow for in-person attendance but will also be broadcast live on various local media outlets.

From the announcement:

“With a significant change in leadership coming to the Seattle City Council, including four open seats, voter education and engagement is more important than ever.” said Alicia Crank, Executive Director of Seattle CityClub. “Candidate debates have long been a staple of our democratic process in that they enable voters to hear directly from those seeking public office while providing opportunity for discussion and rebuttal on key public policy issues. Seattle CityClub has played an integral role in convening both local and statewide candidate debates and is proud to continue that tradition this election year in partnership with Comcast, GSBA, and the Seattle Colleges.”

And from GSBA’s president:

“It is a very important election year for Seattle and GSBA is thrilled to be partnering with Seattle CityClub on these debates in October.” said Ilona Lohrey, President and CEO of GSBA-Washington State’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. “With so many seats on the council open this year, including in District 3-Capitol Hill, which has the highest density of small businesses in the entire state, it is more important than ever for voters to be educated about their choices, and to be engaged in this election.”

Schedule of Debates:

Tuesday, October 3 at 7:00pm – District 1

(West Seattle, White Center, South Park, Georgetown, Industrial District, SODO, Pioneer Square)

Located at South Seattle College – Brockey Center

To register to attend the District 1 Debate, CLICK HERE

Tuesday, October 10 at at 7:00pm – District 3

(Central District, First Hill, Capitol Hill, Madison Park, Montlake, Eastlake)

Located at Seattle Central College – Broadway Performance Hall

To register to attend the District 3 Debate, CLICK HERE

Thursday, October 12 at at 7:00pm District 4

(University District, Wallingford, Roosevelt, Sandpoint, Wedgwood, Fremont)

Located at University of Washington – HUB 160 – Lyceum

To register to attend the District 4 Debate, CLICK HERE

Tuesday, October 17 at at 7:00pm – District 5

(Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City, Bitter Lake, Carkeek Park, Blue Ridge, Crown Hill)

Located at North Seattle College – Auditorium

To register to attend the District 5 Debate, CLICK HERE

About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.