Funds, high-profile endorsements continue flowing into Seattle council race

The race for Seattle’s soon-to-be vacant at-large seat continues to see massive fundraising and high-profile endorsements roll in.

Fields now set for Seattle mayor, council, and city attorney elections

Most recently, Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda — who’s currently running for reelection to the city’s other at-large seat — broke from several of her council colleagues to endorse local activist and organizer Nikkita Oliver on Tuesday.

We are truly honored to have earned the endorsement of Teresa Mosqueda (@TeresaCMosqueda), Seattle City Councilmember Position 8! Teresa shares our vision for workers' rights, housing, and more.

Teresa, see you in City Hall! Vote #Nikkita4Nine on August 3rd! 💫 pic.twitter.com/KIaB7GP3FH

— Nikkita4Nine (@Nikkita4Nine) June 29, 2021

Oliver has been running neck and neck with Fremont Brewery founder Sara Nelson on the fundraising front, having brought in roughly $187,000 across over 3,000 donors, to Nelson’s $193,000 from nearly 900 contributors.

When it comes to candidates with endorsements from sitting local lawmakers, though, Brianna Thomas has garnered wide support in both Seattle and at the state level. That list includes endorsements from Council President Lorena Gonzalez, as well as Councilmembers Lisa Herbold, Andrew Lewis, and Dan Strauss, and former Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. Thomas has also served as Gonzalez’s senior advisor and legislative aide since 2015.

Oliver hasn’t been without their own support from the dais, either, having also been endorsed by Seattle Councilmember Tammy Morales, former Councilmember Mike O’Brien, and King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay.

Trio of candidates maintain massive fundraising lead in race for council

That said, two of Oliver’s biggest endorsements to date have come in recent weeks from Mosqueda and the MLK Labor Council, as they continue to rack up support from a sizable list of local unions and lawmakers. Donors to Oliver’s campaign include 2021 mayoral candidate Andrew Houston, former mayoral candidate Cary Moon, critical race theory scholar Edwin Lindo, and activist and former council candidate Shaun Scott.

Nelson’s own endorsements have largely consisting of former Seattle councilmembers, including Richard Conlin, Heidi Wills, Tom Rasmussen, Jan Drago, and Jean Godden, in addition to the Seattle Firefighters Union, Seattle’s Building Trades Unions, and more. She has also received donations from Uncle Ike’s founder Ian Eisenberg, Seattle restaurateur Ethan Stowell, and 2021 mayoral candidate Lance Randall.

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