Amanda Kay Helmick becomes 4th candidate for West Seattle’s new City Council District 1 seat

The hottest local political race isn’t on the November 4 ballot you should have received by now – and won’t even be decided for another year.

Four candidates are now running in City Council District 1, which includes West Seattle.

This morning, Amanda Kay Helmick, chair of the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council, is announcing she’s in the race.

She joins Chas Redmond, David Ishii, and Tom Rasmussen, the only member of the current City Council living in the District 1 boundaries, which were set when city voters approved Charter Amendment 19 last year, changing the council from nine at-large members to seven by-district and two at-large.

Along with chairing WWRHAH, Helmick co-founded the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, which launched in September 2013 as the WS Transit Coalition and expanded its focus weeks later while emerging as an early voice against proposed Metro cuts.

Helmick also represents Delridge on the City Neighborhood Council, which she says needs to be strengthened and empowered. She is an eight-year West Seattleite whose full bio is on her newly launched website. From her official announcement:

“We have multiple and disconnected plans, and no one in the city is talking about how these plans overlay and affect the people of Seattle,” Helmick said of the city’s current transportation and land use initiatives. “I want to empower the under-served communities of West Seattle and South Park and give them a voice in these plans.”

According to Helmick’s campaign website, she is collecting petition signatures to get onto the ballot. The filing deadline for next year’s council elections is May 1st, 2015.

Chas Redmond October 20, 2014 (9:55 am)

Congratulations Amanda.

ocean October 20, 2014 (9:57 am)

Amanda, I’ve met you a few times and if anyone can bring these groups together, it’s YOU.

Good luck, and don’t let the politics get you down!

Guy Olson October 20, 2014 (11:26 am)

If her slogan was “I’m going to widen the West Seattle Bridge!” I’d vote for her.

Josh October 20, 2014 (11:42 am)

We all need to get behind Amanda and support her!

BT October 20, 2014 (1:30 pm)

It’s very exciting that we will have choices for the Council position – I applaud Amanda and the others stepping up to put their hats in the ring. That said, I am anxiously waiting to see which candidate will show relevant experience running an enterprise, crafting budgets, taking responsibility for their decisions, managing and holding City staff accountable for their work and actions, and working with diverse teams to solve our City’s complex problems.

Option Incumbent October 20, 2014 (3:52 pm)

I am voting for Tom Rasmussen for that very reason BT. I definitely do not agree with some of his prior decisions, however, he has the strength of years in city government. Relationships fostered at that level are priceless. Mr. Rasmussen seems willing, since the establishment of Districts, to recalibrate himself to the needs of our District.
I was skeptical I would see that from him, but he has come around to the point where I am convinced his experience, his post-graduate education and his focus will serve the ENTIRE district well. He is paying attention AND putting in the time to build relationships here.

I live in East Delridge. I believe Tom Rasmussen is the best candidate for this first election.

However, down the road, Amanda will have more experience and more influence, presumably more education and more collaborative relationships built. I support her in all of her efforts.

Bravo Amanda.

DarkHawke October 20, 2014 (4:46 pm)

You almost always have choices for any elective office, even if they seem to come courtesy Thomas Hobson or Joseph Heller. I’m just thrilled that we have SOME form of districting now in the city council, so that citizens will have true advocates with real power in city government. Or if you’re as cynical as yours truly, we’ll at least know who’s feet to hold to the fire when things go awry! All we need to do know is get rid of the “at-large” positions, and we just might be rewarded with a functional city government.

rob October 20, 2014 (6:27 pm)

It is always nice to see a new face in the ring. Was just wondering what she has done in the private sector. This would be good to know. What experience she has doing bussnise with real money

Fauntleroy fairy October 20, 2014 (11:33 pm)

A “co-founder of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition”…….don’t count on my vote.

Eric1 October 21, 2014 (12:14 am)

I have nothing against Mr. Rasmussen in particular but I want nobody from the former council re-elected. I, for one, am happy to see more of a neighborhood orientation to the council with fresh faces and no ties to downtown. I want people with new ideas that quite frankly make people think. For example: I don’t agree with 95% of what Ms. Sawant does/says, but at least she has been stirring the pot and I like it.

Pete October 21, 2014 (8:06 am)

I look forward to the candidate forums where local West Seattle issues will be discussed. With 20% + of the cities population on the west side of the Duwamish River it is past time that we have more impact on city decisions. This will be a great opportunity for our community to press forward with new ideas.

Harold October 21, 2014 (11:00 am)

Fauntleroy Fairy, what’s wrong with the West Seattle Transportation Coalition?

Toby Thaler October 21, 2014 (3:06 pm)

The filing deadline for general election in 2015 is May 15, not May 1.

AlkiGrl October 21, 2014 (10:40 pm)

I love seeing more challengers in this race! Tom Rasmussen is too beholden to big developers…case in point, he was one of only two votes against a resolution calling for a linkage fee which would create a revenue stream paid for by very profitable developers to fund affordable housing. Similar to what we’ve hoped for in West Seattle to help find public transportation. New perspectives and independence is welcome!

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