Jesse A. James for Seattle

Jesse A. James

for Seattle City Council Position 8
2025

Let's work together to make Seattle safe and affordable
for everyone!
Vote Jesse A. James for the future!

About JAJ:

Jesse A. James is a Seattle native, musician, and political journalist. He ran for House of Representatives in 2022. During this time, he participated in a number of protests for freedom of speech, government transparency, and reproductive rights. In 2023, he released his long-anticipated album, The Standoff. In 2024, Jesse joined the newly formed Cascade Party of Washington, and in 2025, was elected to Cascade's Board of Directors. His work there has led him to attend and serve on multiple committees.

JAJ is currently writing articles and op-eds on The Summit. Jesse A. James is a member of the Lakota tribe (1/4 Sioux) and has lived experience as a service/food worker and renter in Seattle.

Jesse A James at the Westlake Assembly for Free Speech & Information (2022)

Issues:

Transportation
I am a self-proclaimed light rail expansionist: Ballard, West Seattle, maybe more! I want that beautiful train as close to everywhere as practical and possible. I am a general advocate for well funded public transit as a whole.

Small Business
We need to prioritize small business owners over corporations. This includes treating them as partners, and not simply as cash machines for the city coffers. Such proposed improvements to our exploitive environment include...

Abolish the Sugar Tax (Sweetened Beverage Tax) - Click here to read my op-ed on this
This is a regressive tax that has plagued consumers and small businesses alike for the better part of a decade. Nothing short of its immediate destruction would satisfy me. That said, I do want to acknowledge the Fresh Bucks program that the tax helps fund, as I do support it, but feel we can fund it another way, like...

Ending the Democracy Voucher Program - Click here to read my op-ed on this
This program is flat out elitist; Made to give grassroots candidates a fighting chance, since it's creation, it has only served the incumbents and big name candidates, allowing them to hold more extravagant campaign parties. Renewal for this program is up for a direct vote by the city in August. Please join me in voting it down!

Public Safety
I support the SOAP and SODA zones and believe that Seattle has made progress these last couple years with public safety, crime, and homelessness. We need to stay diligent and stay the course.

Affordable Housing
I fully support the MFTE program, and the efforts the city has made recently to make Seattle a more affordable place to live. We need more affordable housing for lower income residents.

I support Seattle's Minimum Wage!
As someone who has benefited from this regulation, and as a firm voice for the working class, this one is a no-brainer. Everyone deserves a living wage!

Transparency, Ethics, and Freedom of Speech
I support the current City Council rules & ethics, in the same light that I support stock trading bans on members of congress. It is the responsibility of all levels of government to be accountable to the people. This includes being transparent, putting a halt to corruption when faced with it, and upholding the right of Freedom of Speech & Expression for everyone!

Endorsements: