Runta News-Seattle
Human Rights Commissioner Running to Represent South Seattle, Chinatown/International District Endorsed by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, State Senator Rebecca Saldaña
Seattle, WA – Community organizer and Seattle Human Rights Commissioner Tammy Morales is running for election as South Seattle and Chinatown/International District’s representative on the Seattle City Council.
Morales nearly won this race in 2015, coming within 344 votes of defeating the incumbent. Now she is running with an even stronger campaign, launching with the support of U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and State Senator Rebecca Saldaña (37th LD). She plans to participate in the city’s Democracy Voucher program.
“South Seattle and the Chinatown/International District need a strong and engaged advocate on the City Council,” says Morales. “Our neighbors have smart solutions to our district challenges. But we need someone who listens. We want to bring our voices to City Hall. It’s time for active, accountable representation for District 2 families.”
“We, the people in this district, worry about taking care of our families. We need affordable childcare so we can work. We need low cost senior housing for our parents, our grandparents, and ourselves. We need equitable development that allows families and small businesses to thrive in every neighborhood.”
Morales has long been an advocate for workers, immigrants and families of color – most recently as a community organizer for the Rainier Beach Action Coalition and as a Commissioner on the Seattle Human Rights Commission. For more than a decade, this mother of 3 has been an active member of District 2, serving and organizing for community-driven solutions.
Morales is launching her campaign with two early endorsements.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said “I’m proud to support Tammy Morales for District 2 Seattle City Council. Tammy is a champion for working families. She’s been a strong advocate for policies that protect against displacement and is committed to building a local economy that works for everyone.
State Senator Rebecca Saldaña said: “Our city council must be willing to work with Olympia to find solutions to our broken tax system and ensure that the voices of our racial, economic, and climate justice advocates are heard in City Hall. Tammy Morales has both the policy experience and the grassroots experience to make both of those things happen. I’m proud to endorse Tammy Morales to represent our communities of color as the District 2 representative on Seattle City Council.”
Morales’ career has included serving as a policy director and budget analyst, as well as running her own business as a food policy expert. Speaking about her work supporting immigrant-owned businesses, Morales says, “I was proud to work with immigrant-owned small grocers to expand their offerings to include fresh produce. Supporting these small businesses with technical assistance on permitting and food regulations helped preserve important income for their families and access to culturally-appropriate foods.”
”On the City Council, I will address the forces that are causing such incredible wealth concentration and displacement in Seattle by centering communities of color, immigrant communities, the poor, and the working class in every decision at City Hall. If we center policy on people we can share the benefits of our city’s prosperity with working families. Our housing policy must focus on anti-displacement strategies, not just market-based solutions to our housing crisis. We can build community wealth and community power by shaping housing and economic development policy to meet neighborhood needs, rather than the needs of corporate special interests.”
