2026 Seattle City Council is set with affordable housing champion Lin victory in District 2

Eddie Lin emerged victorious in the District 2 council race, receiving nearly 70% of votes, with a focus on making housing more affordable in Seattle. In his Election Night address, Lin highlighted that housing affordability was the primary concern voiced by constituents during his campaign. Dionne Foster won the citywide council seat with approximately 58% of the vote, leveraging her background in nonprofit advocacy for low-income populations to tackle homelessness. Incumbent Alexis Mercedes Rinck secured re-election with an impressive 80% against challenger Rachel Savage, known for her Republican stance on homelessness issues. The 2026 Seattle City Council will include centrist Joy Hollingsworth, who has aligned with Mayor Bruce Harrell, and other incumbents from various districts.

This diverse council composition suggests a potential shift in policy focus toward housing and social services. The dynamics of the newly elected members could significantly impact the council's future decisions. As Seattle grapples with rising housing costs, these leaders will face pressure to deliver actionable solutions.