Housing Policy

Seattle's Newest Progressive City Councilwoman Wants To Make Building Easier

Nilu Jenks campaigned on deregulating zoning, making permitting more efficient, and reforming the city's broken mandatory affordability program.

Ryan Curtis | 11.6.2026 3:35 PM

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In Seattle's only city council election this year, voters in District 5 elected progressive urbanist Nilu Jenks over moderate Julia Kang, according to The Seattle Times. Jenks' victory may be an unexpected win for both homebuilders and renters.

Much of the campaign centered on public safety, affordability, and city taxes. Jenks—who was endorsed by democratic socialist leaders like state Rep. Shaun Scott (D–Seattle)—advocated for less interventionary policing, affordability for workers, and a more progressive tax system. Kang, a former teacher and banker, framed herself as the moderate, demanding fiscal responsibility from the Council and advocating for more police presence in high-crime areas. Kang listed reducing crime as her top issue, and while she described affordability as a priority, she did not campaign hard on the issue.

Jenks, on the other hand, was more........

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