Seattle mayoral candidates Jenny Durkan and Cary Moon faced off in their only televised debate on Tuesday. The debate covered topics ranging from housing affordability and homelessness, to Amazon, taxes, and the budget.

One of the first issues to the start off the night was housing affordability, which Durkan described as,

“the most important issue facing who we are in Seattle. It is the existential threat to Seattle’s soul.”

Durkan discussed her desire to find ways to build more affordable housing in all areas of Seattle, and provide economic opportunities so that Seattle-ites can afford to not just pay rent, but also pay for the rest of their well-being.

Moon discussed working to understand the activity of speculation that is causing increased housing prices. By understanding the activity, Moon hopes to develop solutions to stop that speculation, and avoid pushing middle and low income people out of the city.

“Our housing should be for people who live here. Not a commodity for rich people to make money off of,” said Moon.

Homelessness was also an important topic discussed.

Moon said she would focus on low-barrier shelters, tiny house villages, RV safe lots, transforming current shelters into 24-hour shelters, and made it clear she would stop sweeps.

“I have said consistently I will stop the sweeps, because I believe chasing people who have nowhere else to go is unjust and inhumane and inefficient,” said Moon.

In her rebuttal, Durkan was quick to point out that “sweeps” can mean a lot of different things.

“I’ll be the first to admit that the first actions that the city took against people experiencing homelessness were inhumane… but we have a new system in the city of Seattle,” said Durkan. “We’ve created Navigation Teams where outreach workers and police officers together go into the illegal encampments and they meet with people. They see what services they need.”

In regards to budget and taxes,

“I will not call for new taxes until I have a chance to make sure we’re being efficient, and we’re using the money,” Durkan said, “But there’s one place—we may need more money for addiction services and mental health treatment, and that’s the tax I may come back for.”

Moon said she would raise taxes on corporations and the wealthy while also cutting taxes for low-income individuals. She also specifically stated she would cut the budget of the mayor’s office. She cited her experience as an engineer to assist her in creating an efficient operation.

Durkan estimated her proposed programs would cost around $100 million. Moon did not have an estimate of her budget, but said after being elected, she would work with the Budget Office to work out the full cost.

Durkan criticized Moon for having proposals without cost estimates.

“I think it’s irresponsible to say ‘I want to do X’, and not tell the voters how you’re going to pay for it.”

It appears The Stranger agrees with this statement writing,

“Throughout the night, Durkan mostly ran circles around Moon with sharper answers and more specific proposals.”

This review comes as a surprise as The Stranger has already endorsed Cary Moon.

Another mayoral debate, which will be moderated by Nikkita Oliver, will take place this Sunday at 6pm at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church. The event will be live-streamed on Facebook here.

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