|
King County District 2: History is Made Here
July 3, 2026
In this e-news, you will find ways you, your friends, and your family can enjoy time together – be it World Cup games, riding with the Buffalo Soldiers, or watching fireworks. I hope you are planning to enjoy the 4th of July weekend with friends and family.
Every day I remind myself that while national and international news can be discouraging, we have a working democracy here in King County where we elect our representatives, advocate for our communities, and advance the civil rights of our neighbors, be they recent immigrants or members of the LGBTQia community.
This week I attended the opening of a tiny house village serving homeless neighbors in D2, marched in the PRIDE parade, chaired a committee meeting on youth diversion, and attended a press conference where Executive Zahilay and Mayor Wilson announced necessary adjustments to the work of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). At every stop I met people who are dedicated to local businesses, local solutions, and to helping one another.
I know that over the last week you too contributed in countless ways to your family, neighborhood, and community. Your support for those around you – democratically and collectively – is what keeps us united. Your work, your commitment, and respect for each other are what is truly worth celebrating.
It is my honor to represent you on the King County Council.
My D2 team looks forward to assisting you.
Sincerely,
 Rhonda Lewis, Councilmember
Metropolitan King County Council, District 2
|
|
|
Monday & Tuesday, June 29-30: Staff Prep
CM Lewis and her staff spent Monday and Tuesday following up on calls and emails. They also had several meetings with the goal of building the best team to serve D2.
Wednesday, July 1: Law & Justice Committee
Click on the image above to hear the Law & Justice Committee discussion of proposed changes to youth diversion programs. CM Lewis chairs the Law & Justice Committee.
CM Lewis commented that “I think you can see from the amount of discussion and comments that this committee is committed not just to the success of the program, but the young people who are part of it.”
Members also discussed requirements for notifying cities of booking restrictions in the King County jails.
Wednesday, July 1: Regional Water Quality Committee
CM Lewis joined regional partners and King County Wastewater Treatment Division staff to discuss long-term forecast for the sewer rate, as well as capital projects to ensure clean water.
|
|
|
Thursday, June 25: U-District D2 “Pop-Up” Office
The D2 Pop-Up office is designed to ensure that the team can see and experience what constituents do in neighborhoods throughout D2 ranging from Skyway to Ravenna.
Friday, June 26: Food Lifeline
CM Rhonda Lewis, D2 staff, and Council staff made up a King County team of volunteers at the Food Lifeline Warehouse on Friday morning.
Food Lifeline supplies local food banks throughout the Puget Sound region.
Kathleen Quinene- D2 Staff and CM Lewis review the list of food items being packed for shipment to local food banks.
In 2025, Food Lifeline distributed over 73 million pounds of food in 17 counties – including King County – in Western Washington. Neighbors served included 772,583 children.
Rob Gala and Saeed Mahamood -D2 staff carefully inspect eggs at the Food Lifeline warehouse before packing them to be shipped to a local food bank.
Food Lifeline volunteers contributed 45,648 hours of work in 2025 that resulted in 2,389,902 neighbors being served. You and organization can volunteer at Food Lifeline. Click here.
Sam from Food Lifeline announces number of pounds sorted and packed by the King County team at the main warehouse. Sam is wearing the shirt “Hunger Doesn’t Have to Happen.”
On Friday June 26, the King County Team together processed 5,418 pounds of food that will be distributed to food banks across the region. King County employees will be volunteering again on July 30th.
King County team at Food Lifeline left to right: Tania Mondaca-Council External Affairs, Kathleen Quinene-D2, Saeed Mahamood-D2, CM Rhonda Lewis-D2, Rob Gala-D2; Jose Brito-Council staff, BrynDel Swift-D2
|
|
|
Friday, June 26: Seattle Soccer Watch @ Wonder
Following work at Food Lifeline, CM Lewis and the D2 team had lunch at a local small business in D2 called Wonder Ethiopian Coffee and Sports Bar. They enjoyed injera and Ethiopian delights while watching the Norway v. France World Cup game.
Saturday June 27: Tiny House Village Opening
|
|
|
CM Lewis speaks with residents of the Nickelsville Brighton House Village at the opening on June 27.
|
|
Brighton Village will provide 14 beds for neighbors facing homelessness. It includes not only tiny houses but also a common kitchen tent, laundry facilities, shared bathrooms, and a security shack.
Sunday, June 28: PRIDE Parade
CM Lewis, husband Craig Lewis and Executive Assistant Kathleeen Quinene marched in the PRIDE parade with One King County
On Sunday, CM Lewis, her husband Craig, and stalwart staffer Kathleen Quinene joined PRIDE Parade Grand Marshal Deaunte Damper, Executive Girmay Zahilay, and King County employees for the 2026 PRIDE parade through downtown Seattle.
The annual PRIDE parade is the largest parade in Washington State.
Wednesday, July 1: Executive Zahilay and Mayor Wilson Press Conference
Journalists gathered at the Blake House on First Hill to hear the announcement about homeless services. Blake House includes 100 affordable housing units for seniors and veterans who have been chronically homeless. Blake House opened in 2023.
Left to Right: King County Executive Zahilay, Karen Lee – CEO, Plymouth Housing, Jane Hopkins, RN-President, SEIU 1199, WA Representative Nicole Macri (43rd), Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson.
CM Lewis and CM Baron attended the announcement of changes to operations to address homelessness by Executive Zahilay and Mayor Wilson. Following an audit that identified issues of financial management at the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, making changes to the system is necessary.
The Executive and Mayor announced that King County and Seattle will take over contracting for homelessness services that use local funds. KCRHA will remain in charge of federal funds.
CM Lewis speaks with CM Baron about homelessness response services.
Thursday, July 2: D2 “Pop-Up” District Office in Skyway
CM Rhonda Lewis and David Daw, External Relations Manager at King County Department of Local Services, at Black Panther Park
On Thursday, CM Lewis and the D2 staff team relocated office operations to the Skyway Library. The day included meetings with the King County Department of Local Services.
Does your neighborhood or community group have a plan or a good idea to protect our waterways from pollutants, toxins or other contaminants? Apply for a Waterworks grant to fund your project’s success!
King County is a Great Place for the 4th of July Weekend. . .
FIFA World Cup Watch Parties
July 4th Games
- 10am: Canada vs Morocco | KEXP & Mural Amphitheatre (Free)
- 2pm: Paraguay vs France | KEXP & Mural Amphitheatre (Free)
- 12pm - 8pm: Victory Hall
USA v. Belgium - July 6th @ 5 pm - Seattle Stadium
Various Watch Party Locations (Free)
- Pacific Place: 600 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
-
Pier 62: 1951 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101
-
Seattle Center: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
-
Victory Hall: 1201 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98134
Buffalo Soldiers Trail Ride
The Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the original Buffalo Soldiers—the African American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army's 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments following the Civil War.
Serving the Puget Sound region for more than 20 years, the organization offers a wide range of educational and community programs for youth, families, schools, and civic groups. They offer first-time horseback rides for children and adults at many of their community appearances and events, free of charge.
 4th of July Events
-
- Gas Works Park & Lake Union Park
- Free & Ticket Options
- “All-American” Games: Sack Race, Pie Eating Contest, Tug of War, etc
- Musical Live Performances
- Firework Celebrations
- Free
- Registration is required for parade walk participation
- The parade stages on SW 153rd Street between Ambaum Blvd SW. and 6th SW and concludes at 8th Ave SW
- Local businesses, vendors, & more!
-
Central District Art Walk: July 3rd, 6-9 pm
- Free
- Self-guided event celebrating local art, culture, and legacy
- Midtown Square Plaza (23rd & E Union)
I will continue to provide updates on my work as your representative. I invite you to reach out, let me know what your thoughts are and what you think District 2 could look like in the future
District 2 - a great place to live, lead and make history! Together!
District 2 (D2) is comprised of 273,758 constituents living in Skyway, Rainier Beach, Columbia City, Rainier Valley, Central District, Capitol Hill, Montlake, Eastlake, U-District and Ravenna. It is a beautiful district full of talent and diverse heritages and families. 22% of the D2 population is foreign-born, 28% multi-lingual and 52% rent their homes. Forty-one of Seattle Public Schools’ 109 schools are in District 2.
|
|
|
|
|
