By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The Seattle City Council is off for holiday break. But some councilmembers are sending out their “year in review” newsletters. You’ll probably get one from District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka, as he concludes his first year in office.

But we didn’t wait for that to talk with him about Year 1 and some big issues, including the impending change at the top for SDOT, and two of his most-touted budget measures. We sat down with Councilmember Saka for a 37-minute video-recorded interview last week at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. Here it is, unedited:

If you don’t have time to watch, here’s the summary of our Q&A:

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3:17 PM: Midway through his second term as state senator for the 34th District, which includes West Seattle, Sen. Joe Nguyễn is leaving for a new job. Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson has just appointed him as director of the state Commerce Department. From the announcement:

… Commerce oversees vital programs on economic and community development, covering issues like clean energy and housing. 

“Senator Nguyễn brings experienced leadership and a strong record on fighting to improve the lives of Washingtonians to this critical agency,” said Governor-elect Ferguson. “I know he will help ensure state government works better for the people.” 

Joe Nguyễn represents Washington’s 34th Legislative District in the State Senate, where he has earned a reputation as a steadfast advocate for equity, economic justice, and community empowerment. As the son of Vietnamese refugees, Nguyễn’s lived experiences have fueled his commitment to creating opportunities for underserved communities and breaking down systemic barriers. 

Since first being elected in 2018, Nguyễn has been a champion for policies that uplift working families and marginalized groups. He has led efforts to expand the Working Families Tax Credit, strengthen Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and secure funding for affordable housing and clean energy innovation. Nguyễn’s work reflects his belief that the government should be a force for good, delivering tangible outcomes that improve lives and build stronger communities. 

In addition to his legislative achievements, Nguyễn’s professional background in technology and community development informs his forward-thinking approach to problem-solving. He is passionate about bridging the gap between innovative solutions and real-world impacts, particularly for those who have been historically left out of the political process. 

Nguyễn is a dedicated husband and father of three, drawing inspiration from his family to fight for a Washington that is equitable, sustainable, and prosperous for all. Whether addressing housing affordability, renewable energy, or workforce development, his focus remains on creating a future where every Washingtonian has the tools to thrive.

The announcement says Sen. Nguyễn starts the new job January 15, 2025. We have a request out to him for comment, and also a request out to the 34th District Democrats, who have a key role at the start of the process of finding a successor. The current Commerce director, Mike Fong, is moving to Snohomish County government, where he’d worked before.

5:40 PM: 34th District Democrats chair Graham Murphy gave us a short summary of the process for filling the forthcoming vacancy: “The process is led by King County Democrats, but 34th PCOs select the candidates to fill current and conditional vacancies. The King County Council decides what candidate from the three will fill the vacancy. Our friends in the 33rd LD just went through a similar process. Ultimately, we cannot kick off the process until Senator Nguyễn sends me an email notifying me of his intention to vacate with a date. Recently, this process has taken about 30 days to complete.” (More details on the process are in this document.)

ADDED 7:06 PM: At least one candidate is already seeking the Senate seat that’ll be vacated: 34th District Rep. Emily Alvarado, now in her second term. We talked with her briefly by phone tonight; she says she’s already focused on the signature issues such as housing, schools, and child care, and ready to dive into the budget battle facing the Legislature this year.

ADDED EARLY FRIDAY: Here’s what Sen. Nguyễn told us about the new job: “I’m excited about the opportunity to serve in the Ferguson Administration. Governor Ferguson is a leader who doesn’t shy away from taking on tough challenges and getting things done, which is exactly what Washington state needs. Commerce is often the first point of contact for many Washingtonians with state government, and I hope to approach this role with humility and a deep commitment to serving every community across our state.”