At the April 27 City Council meeting to select former Councilmember Sally Clark’s replacement, Sawant attacked John Okamoto for pandering to big business, developers and “the super-wealthy,” among the milder accusations. She said it would be “scandalous” for him to be chosen because of past Port of Seattle problems that happened when he was the port’s chief administrative officer. Other council members came to Okamoto’s defense, calling Sawant’s claims “odious” and “exploitive and mean — and, worse, untrue,” according to The Seattle Times. The majority of the council ultimately gave their votes to Okamoto.
The next day, two ethics complaints were filed against Sawant, accusing her of turning a town hall meeting on rent control and housing affordability into a campaign rally, complete with supporters collecting signatures and recruiting volunteers.
It’s telling that Sawant has already hired five political consultants, according to Publicola. In her first election, she beat longtime incumbent Richard Conlin, who had served on the City Council since 1998, by less than 2 percent of the votes. This time, she has three opponents, two of whom announced their candidacy early on, signaling their displeasure with how Sawant runs her council seat.
Her stridency has only further isolated her from her council colleagues and potential supporters. She may have successfully fought off her disorderly conduct trial in SeaTac by having the charges dismissed, but she will need more than her own defense to win the needed votes for reelection.