The Newsfeed: The new generation of Western WA city councilmembers
Of the half-dozen young politicians Cascade PBS interviewed, many are renters and cited housing affordability as a driving issue in their run for office.
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A growing group of young politicians is running for, and winning, city council seats in Western Washington.
Cascade PBS and KNKX spoke with half a dozen councilmembers under 30 about their challenges as they enter local government.
Of this group, almost all are renters. Many say housing affordability was a driving issue behind their decision to run.
They also note climate change, transit access and mental health as other key issues facing their generation.
They say their priorities and approach to politics often differ from those of older colleagues. And that young people’s voices continue to be underrepresented.
In Washington, most city council positions are part-time with part-time wages, with Seattle being an exception. But the workload for many is like a full-time job.
Often, older elected officials have the financial resources to work in these roles compared to younger politicians still working to establish themselves and their careers.
Paris Jackson is the host of “The Newsfeed”. She’s an Emmy Award-winning journalist with 15+ years in TV news and public media. A former anchor/reporter at KOMO-TV in Seattle. She is an editor-at-large at Cascade PBS. Paris-jackson@cascadepbs.org
Paris Jackson is the host of “The Newsfeed”. She’s an Emmy Award-winning journalist with 15+ years in TV news and public media. A former anchor/reporter at KOMO-TV in Seattle. She is an editor-at-large at Cascade PBS. Paris-jackson@cascadepbs.org
Shannen Ortale is a news producer at Cascade PBS, working primarily on The Newsfeed. She's also produced various documentary projects, including Asahel: The Curtis Collection and Origins: Refuge After War.
Shannen Ortale is a news producer at Cascade PBS, working primarily on The Newsfeed. She's also produced various documentary projects, including Asahel: The Curtis Collection and Origins: Refuge After War.
