As Seattle prepares to cast its ballots for the November 2023 City Council elections, the race for District 7 has a lot of attention as the district includes downtown Seattle, which is the economic heart of the city. Andrew Lewis and Bob Kettle are both vying for the opportunity to represent this District 7, each bringing their unique perspectives and policy agendas to the forefront.

Andrew Lewis is the incumbent councilmember who has garnered support for his progressive stance on various issues such as climate change, social justice, and public safety reform. He has advocated to combat climate change by increasing investments in sustainable infrastructure and promoting green initiatives. Lewis supporters believe that his commitment to equity and social justice is reflected in his support for affordable housing policies and efforts to try to address homelessness in Seattle. Some of his supporters believe that his push for police reform, including redirecting funds to community resources, is the best direction for the city's law enforcement.

Bob Kettle is a former Navy officer and member of the Queen Anne Community Council board. Kettle is advocating for  practical ways to improve public safety, and he has been highly critical of Lewis’ and the Council’s decision in 2020 to defund the police by 50% and overall lenient policies with open drug dealing. Kettle wants to be more proactive with homelessness by increasing shelter, reducing encampments, and implementing performance measures for the city. He also wants to significantly increase the construction of affordable housing across the city.

The question for debate is, who would best represent District 7 in the Seattle City Council, Andrew Lewis or Bob Kettle?