Hosted by: King County Equity Now
Moderators: Latricia Jackson and Fynniecko Glover Jr
Location: Brunch & Ballots Voter Education Forum
Candidates: Eddie Lin and Adonis Duckworth
Candidate Introductions
Eddie Lin:
Thank you. My name is Eddie Lin, and I’m running for City Council Position 2, which stretches from the Chinatown–International District to Rainier Beach. I’ve been with the City Attorney’s Office and the Office of Housing for six years, focusing on affordable housing. I’ve lived on Beacon Hill since 2007, raising two sons with my wife, a homeschool teacher. As the son of a Taiwanese immigrant, I want to support our community through difficult times — especially with the federal attacks on immigrants, LGBTQIA+ people, and reproductive rights. Position 2 has a long history of harm toward Black communities, and I’m committed to addressing that.
Adonis Duckworth:
I grew up on Beacon Hill and now live in Rainier Beach with my wife and two kids. What inspired me to run was my oldest daughter saying she wanted to move because she felt unsafe. Gun violence in South Seattle is a serious issue — our area makes up 13% of Seattle’s population but over one-third of its gun violence. Instead of leaving, I decided to step up. I’ve worked in city government since 2010, including in Mayor Harrell’s office. My background is in outreach and engagement, and I want to focus on ending gun violence and improving community safety.
Summary:
Both candidates expressed deep personal and professional ties to South Seattle and emphasized safety, equity, and community preservation as key motivations for their campaigns.
Closing the Wealth Gap
Moderator:
Given the growing wealth gap between Black and white Seattle residents, what specific economic resources and policies will you implement to create measurable equity for Black families? We want to hear about dollars, programs, and timelines — not just intentions.
Eddie Lin:
We must focus on three areas: housing, education, and economic opportunity. On housing, I support initiatives like the Black Homeownership Initiative and the Black Legacy Homeowners program, which help families repair and retain their homes. Joy Hollingsworth has allocated $3 million toward this, and I’d continue that work. I also want to expand the Homeownership Covenant Act, which provides $150,000 in down payment assistance to redress historic housing discrimination.
Adonis Duckworth:
Education changed my life, and I believe it’s key to upward mobility. I support programs like Rainier Scholars and the Families & Education Levy on the November ballot. I’d push for free after-school care for Title I schools in South Seattle to put money back into families’ pockets. I’d also explore a guaranteed income pilot, modeled after King County’s program that provided $500–$1,000 monthly to residents, helping them stabilize and pursue education or work.
Summary:
Lin emphasized homeownership and anti-displacement funding; Duckworth focused on education, childcare, and guaranteed income as economic stabilizers.
Retaining and Returning Black Families
Moderator:
The Central District was once 70% Black and is now less than 15%. What’s your plan to help Black families return and retain their property in the Central District?
Adonis Duckworth:
Change is inevitable, but we must ensure it doesn’t leave us behind. The city should support groups like Africatown in acquiring land and building affordable homes. Infrastructure projects have often displaced us — like the 23rd Avenue project — so mitigation funds must be built into all new developments. As a councilmember, I’d reinstate a “Statement of Legislative Intent” to study and fund mitigation for affected communities.
Eddie Lin:
For six years, I’ve worked with the Office of Housing on partnerships with Black churches to redevelop land for affordable housing and homeownership. I support tax relief for legacy homeowners and creative financing — such as building ADUs to retain family properties. We also need legal aid for seniors and protections against predatory property buyers.
Summary:
Both candidates proposed anti-displacement solutions. Lin focused on homeownership, tax relief, and legal protections; Duckworth emphasized community partnerships, mitigation, and land control.
Anti-Displacement and Development
Moderator:
Seattle’s comprehensive plan has failed to stop displacement of Black residents. What anti-displacement measures will you champion, and how will you ensure Black businesses benefit from development?
Eddie Lin:
Seattle remains deeply segregated. We need equitable housing development in all neighborhoods, not just in South Seattle. Wealthier areas like North Seattle must also share growth. I’d support the Equitable Development Initiative, reduce barriers for small developers of color, and reform financial bonding requirements that block them from city projects.
Adonis Duckworth:
We must protect EDI funding and zone for diverse housing types — from market rate to social housing and tiny homes — so everyone has a place to live. Big corporations like Amazon have increased housing pressure; they must pay their fair share. Long-term, the city must support Black entrepreneurs so local businesses can grow from within, not be displaced by outside corporations.
Summary:
Lin targeted structural reform and equitable zoning; Duckworth focused on redistributing growth across income levels and ensuring corporations contribute to anti-displacement efforts.
Reparations and Acknowledging Harm
Moderator:
How will you advance reparations-focused policies to address documented harm to Seattle’s Black community?
Adonis Duckworth:
Reparations must be concrete. I support Mayor Harrell’s efforts, but we need more — like city-funded internships and career tracking for youth of color. Education and opportunity are the real reparations, helping people achieve lasting economic independence.
Eddie Lin:
We should continue documenting harm as a foundation for legal and financial restitution. The Homeownership Covenant Act, which offers $150,000 forgivable down payments, is one model. I’d combine city funding with state programs to expand this work, ensuring reparations directly fund housing and land ownership for descendants of displaced residents.
Summary:
Duckworth emphasized youth opportunity as modern reparations; Lin proposed combining legal frameworks and city funding to expand housing-based reparations.
Opportunities for Youth
Moderator:
What concrete programs will you provide to give Black youth education, enrichment, and economic opportunities?
Eddie Lin:
We need teachers and counselors who reflect our students’ experiences. I support the Academy of Rising Educators and mental health funding under the Families & Education Levy. I’d expand apprenticeship programs like IBEW’s in Rainier Beach to ensure youth can access skilled trades and real jobs.
Adonis Duckworth:
We must think outside the box — not every kid plays sports. I support building more “third spaces” like skateparks and creative hubs to keep youth engaged. I’d also reform city contracting so more Black-owned firms can work on $1.5 billion city projects.
Summary:
Lin focused on education-to-employment pipelines; Duckworth highlighted creative and trade opportunities for nontraditional youth engagement.
Lightning Round (Yes/No Questions)
Moderators asked candidates to raise “Yes” or “No” cards to the following:
- Do you support disaggregating data for descendants of American chattel slavery?
- Do you support reparations for descendants of slavery and anti-Black city policies?
- Do you support creating a $1 billion Repair & Development Fund for affordable housing, business development, and job training?
- Do you support Black community control over resources meant for Black communities?
- Do you support increasing paid opportunities for youth (from Garfield High School student question)?
- Will you prioritize funding for shovel-ready, community-led projects such as the former Cairo site?
Summary:
Both candidates expressed general support for these measures, signaling alignment with Black community-led equity efforts.
Audience Questions: Transportation and Safety
Audience Member:
Parents with multiple children struggle with parking and safety. What creative solutions will you propose for families who need to drive, given increasing density and limited parking?
Eddie Lin:
We must balance density with accessibility. That means safe streets, reliable transit, and sidewalks so families who must drive can do so without gridlock. We should improve public transit options to reduce congestion and create safer, more walkable neighborhoods.
Adonis Duckworth:
I’ve studied city planning abroad. In London, every essential service is within walking distance — schools, groceries, healthcare. That’s my long-term vision for Seattle. In the short term, we must expand safe bike lanes, improve transit reliability, and protect elders and families who must drive.
Audience Follow-Up:
Transit safety is a huge issue for Black youth — they’re being targeted on public transportation.
Adonis Duckworth:
That’s real. Even in my house, my wife doesn’t want our daughter taking the bus because of safety. We need better lighting, security, and real accountability from King County Metro to protect our kids.
Eddie Lin:
Public safety must reflect the needs of those most affected. For some, police or security on buses increase fear, not safety. We need community-informed safety strategies that center Black and brown youth and families.
Summary:
Both candidates acknowledged systemic transportation inequities. Lin emphasized community-centered safety, while Duckworth focused on infrastructure, lighting, and direct coordination with transit agencies.