2023 Human Services Candidate Forum

September 19, 2023 - University Heights Center

Moderated by Marcus Harrison Green

Photos from SHSC's Human Services Candidate Forum. Thank you to our fabulous forum sponsors, the capacity crowd at U Heights, and all the candidates who shared their visions for a just and thriving community. 

Photos by Jerry Peerson

Human Services Candidate Forum

Tuesday, September 19th, 5:30 pm–8 pm at University Heights Center.

The forum will be moderated by  Marcus Green.

Join us for a fun and informative evening as we dig into issues not typically covered by other candidate forums. ALL candidates running for Seattle City Council and King County Council are scheduled to participate!

Our members generated thoughtful, pointed questions for our future elected officials to answer in our primary questionnaire, and you can read some of the candidate responses below. We have additional human services-focused questions to ask the candidates at the September 19th forum, and we will also be taking questions from the audience!

University Heights Center is a short walk from the U District Light Rail Station and can be accessed via the 44, 48, 70 and 67 bus lines. There is limited onsite parking from 5 PM, but ample street parking is available nearby.  

We encourage you to arrive at 5 PM for refreshments and mingling with the candidates and fellow guests. The program will start promptly at 5:30 PM. This facility requires a key code for entry. In the event a volunteer is not available to let you in, the access code is 2935 from 4-6 PM and 2850 from 6-9 PM.  

If you need help entering the building or have questions regarding accessibility please call Jerry Peerson, SHSC Operations Director at (206) 325-7105.

So, save the date and RSVP today for this FREE in-person forum!

2023 City of Seattle and King County Candidates Online Survey

SHSC’s 2023 Candidate Questionnaire for the Primaries.

The Seattle Human Services Coalition (SHSC) is a multi-cultural, multi-racial community of human service providers and concerned individuals who help Seattle residents reach their full potential. Together we help shape public policy on issues such as ending homelessness, hunger relief, domestic violence prevention, quality affordable child care, healthcare, racial equity, youth development, community safety, and more.

The 2023 Candidate’s Questionnaire provides an opportunity for candidates to communicate their perspectives on important human services issues in Seattle and King County and gives residents the opportunity to make informed decisions when casting their votes.

We have included Seattle City Council and King County Council races. All candidates for the races were invited to complete SHSC’s 2023 Candidates Questionnaire. Human service providers including members of SHSC and Candidate Forum co-sponsors submitted the questions, which were then selected for inclusion by this committee of SHSC members. The questions were chosen to cover a wide range of human service issues in our region, all of which impact Seattle and King County residents’ ability to build our well-being and reach our full potential.

After the primary, SHSC and co-sponsors will host the 2023 Human Services Candidates Forum. Come see the top two candidates go head-to-head at SHSC’s Human Services Candidates Forum, Tuesday, Sept 19th 5:30-8pm at University Heights Center (5031 University Way NE, Seattle). Audience members may also have an opportunity to pose their human services and social justice questions to the candidates. This will be a live, in-person event at which the two candidates for each race who made it past the primary will have the chance to connect with voters and share their vision for human services, building an equitable recovery and creating a just and thriving community in Seattle and King County. We also plan to stream the event. Mark your calendars now!

As a nonprofit organization, SHSC does not make candidate endorsements or show preference toward any candidate. This effort constitutes nonpartisan voter education allowed under state and federal law, to help you evaluate each candidate according to their articulation of their beliefs, policy priorities, and solutions to the challenges of helping Seattle residents reach their full potential.

Note: All Seattle and King County Council candidates who filed were invited to participate and all who took the time to address our issues are posted. Some candidates chose not to respond.

Your vote is your voice: Make your voice count!


Sincerely, Members of the SHSC Candidates Forum Committee,

·      Vedrana Durakovic, Sound Generations

·      Tiffany Lamoreaux, Solid Ground

·       Jerry Peerson, Seattle Human Services Coalition

·       Amanda Daniels, Youthcare

·       Jessie Friedmann, Youthcare

·       Nathaniel Lyon, Ballard Food Bank

·       Brian Taintor, Meals Partnership Coalition     

·      Tree Wilard, Seattle Human Services Coalition         


If you or your organization are interested in co-sponsoring this in-person event, click here for sponsor information.

Click on each candidate's name to read how they answered our questions. Candidates' names without links did not send a response to the survey. 

Seattle City Council — District 6

  • Dan Strauss

  • Shea Wilson

  • Pete Hanning

  • Victoria Palmer

  • Dale Kutzera

  • Jon Lisbin

Seattle City Council — District 7

King County Council — District 4

King County Council — District 8

Seattle City Council — District 1

  • Lucy Barefoot

  • Stephen Brown

  • Jean Iannelli Craciun

  • Rob Saka

  • Preston Anderson

  • Maren Costa

  • Mia Jacobson

  • Phil Tavel

Seattle City Council — District 2

Seattle City Council — District 3

Seattle City Council — District 4

  • Ron Davis

  • Ken Wilson

  • Maritza Rivera

  • George Artem

Seattle City Council — District 5