Primary Election Day is a month from today; your ballot will arrive in about two weeks. WSB is offering close-up looks — with West Seattle-specific questions — at races including the three Seattle City Council contests you’ll find on the primary ballot, starting with Position 8, which Richard McIver is leaving. Six candidates are running; two nights ago, we looked at Robert Rosencrantz, who won one of the 34th District Democrats‘ “dual endorsements” in this race; last night, the other endorsee, David Miller; now, Rusty Williams.

By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

When you meet Rusty Williams, it won’t take him long to mention his mother, Jeanette Williams, a hard-working Seattle City Councilmember who served from 1970 to 1989, and his inspiration.

Williams, a 58-year-old View Ridge resident who used to play with the band Bighorn, is eager to follow in her footsteps. He has a business degree from the University of Washington and has worked a wide range of jobs, starting with a paper route. He was the Information Technology Director for Pacific Trail Sportswear’s production department.

Williams grew up overlooking Magnuson Park, and in recent years, has worked on thorny Magnuson Park issues. He is also a member of the Rotary Club and Ceasefire, which works to stop gun violence. Most recently he has been encouraging the city to name the West Seattle Bridge in honor of his mother, who died last year, for her leadership in getting the bridge built. (The council has voted unanimously to recommend this, as reported here last Monday.)

Williams says his favorite place in West Seattle “is anywhere you can see the sun set over the Olympics. The best sunsets in the world.”

Q: How do you perceive West Seattle’s transportation challenges, and what can be done to solve them?

WILLIAMS: The biggest challenge is the growth of White Center and North Highline, both adding traffic to already burdened 35th Avenue, Fauntleroy Way, and Alaska Street, as well as the West Seattle Bridge. Alternative routes have to be developed.

Q: A massive amount of development is planned in West Seattle. How do we keep our hometown feel, but on the other hand, bring some jobs here so everyone doesn’t have to commute?

WILLIAMS: Housing needs to be affordable. The “live where you work” concept is really important for reducing commutes and traffic. It is good for the environment, and all of that. Government needs to keep spending and taxation down to encourage business, so those businesses can hire people and put them to work.

Q: The jail issue touches many neighborhoods, including West Seattle. What should we do?

WILLIAMS: I think the jail location can still be negotiated. If you listen to (city attorney) Tom Carr, the number of people going to jail goes down each year. The city and county just need to sit down together and figure it out.

Williams’ website is at rustywilliams.com. Kathy Mulady’s candidate reports continue here on WSB tomorrow (Saturday) night. Find our archived coverage of all political races and issues here, newest to oldest.