King County District 2: History is Made Here

King County Council Appoints Rhonda Lewis, Making History with First Black Woman and First Majority-Woman Council

October 23, 2026

Good Evening Neighbors,

As my time as your Councilmember comes closer to an end, I have been reflecting on the communities that shaped this year for my team and I. Organizations in Skyway sit at the top of that list. On Tuesday evening, I joined the West Hill Community Association for its quarterly meeting at the West Hill Community Center.

The West Hill Community Association has advised my office on community priorities throughout the year. They welcomed my team and I to the unveiling of the “Welcome to Skyway” mural on Renton Avenue South, a project the association led with support from King County’s Department of Local Services. I have also enjoyed joining Skyway families at several movie nights.

When people living in the encampment in downtown Skyway needed help, WHCA members stepped up to connect those people with services. Today that encampment is now clear.

At the meeting, I gave an update on the County budget and was able to make final goodbyes to this dedicated organization. The election in a few days will decide who fills this seat next. I will work to make the transition as smooth as possible, and I will make sure I share all I know with the incoming councilmember on not only the importance of Skyway, but also of the leadership of the West Hill Community Association.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you this year and please make sure to vote!

Have a question or need help navigating county resources? Please reach out to my District Director, Saeed Mahamood, at saeed.mahamood@kingcounty.gov or (206) 572-5828.

It is my honor to represent you on the King County Council.

You are always welcome to contact my office at 206 477-1002 or Rhonda.lewis@kingcounty.gov.

My D2 team looks forward to assisting you.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Lewis, Councilmember
Metropolitan King County Council, District 2

Coming up at the King County Council. . .

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Let’s Put D2 priorities in the Budget! 2026-27 Budget Review: 

On September 24, Executive Zahilay transmitted his proposed budget to the King County Council.

Over the next two months, councilmembers will study the proposal and shape amendments before a final vote.

You are welcome to attend the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, where the Council discusses the budget proposal:

- Wednesday, October 28, 9:00 a.m.

- Monday, November 16, 1:30 p.m.

Meeting details and agendas are available here.  All meetings are televised live on channel 22 or on-line on King County Television.

This Week in Council & Committees:

Click on the image above to hear CM Lewis speak about the Rapid Ride R Line proposed for the Rainier Valley. The R line would connect neighborhoods from Rainier Beach to Downtown and update bus shelters.

Transportation, Economy and Environment (TrEE): Tuesday, October 20 9:30 am

Councilmember Lewis spoke on behalf of District 2 at the TrEE committee on Tuesday.  TrEE will be considering a proposal to replace Route 7 with a Rapidride R line.  Rapidride lines offer faster service and enhanced bus stops with improved lighting, shelters, seating and notification of bus arrival. 

The new R Line would serve neighborhoods in the Rainier Valley stretching from Rainier Beach to Downtown.  The R line would provide fast connections to LINK light rail stations as well as Metro bus routes.

Rapidride R line would also serve employment centers like Lighthouse for the Blind which employs 300 people – many of whom are blind or deaf-blind and need reliable transit service for work.

Council: Tuesday, October 20 - 1:30 pm

CM Lewis (to the left, in green) joins her councilmember colleagues and king county employees representing employees with disabilities to recognize our nation’s 81st anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month – a recognition of the contributions of people with disabilities in the workplace.

The King County Council met to vote on legislation to have King County assume governance of the King County Transportation District.  The state legislature provided local governments with the opportunity to form transportation districts to make improvements to local roads and transit.

Earlier this year, the Transportation District Board voted to increase the sales tax by 0.1% a tenth of a percent to pay for safety improvements to unincorporated county roads.  This was especially important to urban unincorporated communities like Skyway.  The King County Roads Division will be conducting this work.  Today’s action ensures clarity in oversight of this work. The vote was 7-2 in favor with CM Baron and Balducci voting no.=

Democracy in Action: The Council also approved multiple appointments to various boards and commissions. Two District 2 constituents have stepped up to serve. Thank you Mariann Colonna – newly appointed to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board and Minu Ranna-Stewart – newly appointed to the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Advisory Committee representing providers of services to victims of sexual assault.

Together we can address the challenges facing behavioral and mental health.

Click on the image above to hear CM Lewis ask about sustainable funding for permitting services and software upgrades to improve permitting efficiency.

Local Services and Land Use Committee (LSLU): Wednesday, October 21 

Councilmember Lewis chaired the Local Services and Land Use (LSLU) committee which received a briefing on an audit of King County permitting – a division of the Department of Local Services.

The King County Auditor’s report outlined recommendations for improving customer service for those seeking a building or land use permit for construction or land development.  The committee also discussed public interest in ensuring that permitting is fair and predictable.

Currently, permitting fees pay for the cost of providing review of permit applications, however with a drop in the volume of applications and increased cost-sensitivity, there are questions about whether this will be a sustainable financing model.

D2 News You Can Use..

Election Season is here! Vote!

King County Elections will be mailing your ballot as required 20 days before the general election on November 3. 

Mail-in ballots became the system for voting in Washington State in 2011 and had been used for decades prior specifically for voters with disabilities or who were overseas.  Mail-in ballots are a proven secure and safe way to vote.

After getting your ballot, voting is easy:

STEP 1: Decide how you will vote

Not sure how to vote?  You should also receive a voters’ pamphlet in the mail which provides explanatory, support and opposition statements for each ballot measure and information on candidates.

If you want to look at your voter’s pamphlet on line, click here.

STEP 2: Mark your ballot per instructions provided.

STEP 3: Return your ballot.  Find a ballot drop box near you!  Here is a link to a list of ballot drop boxes in King County.  You can also mail back your ballot – no postage required.  The United States Post Office recommends mailing your ballot at least one week before Election Day.  Alternatively, you can place your ballot in a secure ballot drop box up until 8 pm on Election Day- November 3.

Concerned about your ballot being counted? You can track your ballot to make sure it arrives and is counted by King County Elections.  Sign up for ballot alerts here.

Seattle Seahawks Scholarship: Applications Due November 1^st

The Seattle Seahawks are investing in the next generation of leaders! Washington high school seniors graduating in 2027 can apply for a scholarship of up to $10,000 toward educational expenses. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and leadership in their community.

If you know a student who would benefit from this opportunity, share it with them and help spread the word! Learn more here!

Applications are due November 1^st, 2026.

 October 23-25: Odunde Fest

Community members are invited to attend ADEFUA’s Odunde Fest 2026! A showcase celebrating cultural arts, storytelling, music, poetry, and dance. Through West African drumming and dance, traditional Indian dance, tap, hip-hop, poetry, and song, the performance follows a traveler who brings people together as each contributes something unique to a shared pot of soup. The showcase celebrates cultural diversity, collaboration, and the power of bringing people together to build a stronger, more connected community. Learn more and get tickets here!

October 23-25: Seattle Capoeira Center Grand Opening

Community members are invited to celebrate the grand opening of the Seattle Capoeira Center from October 23–25 at 2909 Rainier Ave. S., Suite 103, Seattle. Founded in 2006, the Center offers opportunities for children, families, and adults to learn Capoeira Angola, an Afro-Brazilian cultural art that brings together movement, music, and community. The free, public grand opening weekend will feature workshops, music, rodas (traditional capoeira circles), and visiting instructors from Brazil. Learn more here!

October 24: Free Youth Street Hockey Clinic

Youth ages 6–14 are invited to participate in free street hockey clinics hosted by the Associated Recreation Council in partnership with NHL Street, the Seattle Kraken, and the One Roof Foundation. The clinics offer young people an opportunity to learn hockey skills, stay active, and build teamwork in a fun, welcoming environment. The upcoming session will take place at Hubbard Homestead Park on October 24. Advance registration is required. Families can view details and register here!

October 24: West Hill Community Association Trunk or Treat

SATURDAY: We need trunks!

Can you bring your trunk and hand out candy at our Halloween Takeover on Saturday, October 24 from 1-5 p.m. at Skyway fire station? Reserve your spot today (just name and email) and make this even extra special for local families! Feeling competitive?

Top three trunks go home with trophies. General volunteers needed as well!

Come by the fire station around 10 a.m. if you want to help set up. Stop by at 12:30 p.m. if you are interested in photo taking, Instagram Reel making, tarot reader sidekicking, candy/map/treat bag hand-outing, and general event support. Please click here to join.

October 24 – November 7: Columbia City Gallery Workshops & Events

Located in District 2, Columbia City Gallery is an artist-run gallery and community space that showcases local artists through rotating exhibitions, community showcases, and special events. As part of SEEDArts, the gallery creates opportunities for residents to experience local art, connect with artists, and participate in the neighborhood’s cultural life. Its programming includes art exhibitions, hands-on workshops, and artists’ receptions that celebrate the creativity and diversity of Southeast Seattle.

The events below are just a few of the upcoming events hosted by Columbia City Gallery:

Using Collage in Acrylic Painting - October 24, 1-3pm

Collage with Jacqui Beck. Get details

Nonfiction for No Reason – November 5, 7pm

Literary reading series

Chest Binder Fashion Show – November 7, 3-6pm

Featuring artists from Timeless Euphoria and more

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) marks its 81st anniversary this October, offering an important opportunity to recognize the meaningful contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce.

Employees with disabilities bring innovation, adaptability, and resilience, having spent their lives navigating environments not originally designed with their needs in mind.

King County welcomes the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, to help build a diverse and inclusive workforce that furthers our goal of providing excellent services to King County residents.

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.

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Rhonda Lewis
King County Councilmember, District 2
206-477-1002
Rhonda.Lewis@kingcounty.gov
kingcounty.gov/lewis