Michael Westgaard

Nonpartisan

We have funding available for police positions that remain unfilled and recruitment bonuses that have failed to attract applicants. I propose we redirect these resources into hiring professionals who can address the unique challenges students face, while freeing up police officers to respond to situations that require their specific expertise.

I will advocate for policies that increase the availability of affordable housing throughout Renton. This includes introducing pre-approved plans for duplexes, fourplexes, and sixplexes, which will reduce costs for developers and encourage the construction of more affordable units.

On my very first day in office, I will make it my mission to ensure that we protect the wages you have earned. That means fighting for a strong enforcement mechanism for the Raise the Wage Renton initiative and making sure you get every penny you voted for every year.

As your city councilmember, I will work to build a public safety system that is not rooted in fear, but in support.

We will prioritize mental health care, addiction treatment, and a more compassionate approach to crisis intervention.

I believe in a future where Renton residents aren’t forced out of their homes by rising rents and speculative developers, where the housing market works for the people who live here, not just for those seeking profit. I am committed to making that future a reality, and I ask for your support in this effort.

It’s time for a new kind of public safety response: one that includes a dedicated team of mental health professionals, counselors, and crisis workers who can respond to people in distress without the need for police intervention.

Strengthen Oversight and Compliance: I will establish robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with these new regulations, including regular audits, penalties for violations, and the creation of a task force to investigate potential abuses.

We need bold, forward-thinking solutions that create a transportation system where cars are no longer the default—and where all residents have real alternatives to get where they need to go quickly, efficiently, and sustainably.

I will propose an unoccupied unit tax on both rental and commercial properties, incentivizing property owners to put vacant spaces to use. This will help alleviate the housing shortage and ensure that landlords are contributing to the community rather than sitting on empty properties for profit.

I am committed to creating a Renton where safety is defined not by how many police are on the streets, but by how supported, healthy, and connected our community feels. Together, we can build a public safety system that truly serves everyone.

I am committed to making sure Renton is part of the broader effort to implement crisis care centers across the state. These centers are designed to provide immediate, compassionate care to individuals facing mental health crises or substance abuse challenges—treatment, not punishment.

I will work to implement rent controls for both residential and commercial properties, stabilizing rents and protecting tenants and businesses from displacement. People’s livelihoods should not be at risk to secure the passive income of a few landlords or developers.

I will fight to eliminate property tax exemptions for landlords who leave properties vacant or underutilized.

I will push for the development of public housing or worker cooperative housing to meet our community’s needs. Public and cooperative models offer long-term affordability and ensure that housing decisions are made with the well-being of residents in mind, not profit margins.

Our police officers will be able to focus on the work they are trained to do, while our schools, families, and neighborhoods will have the support they need to thrive. And most importantly, we will hold our public servants to the highest standards, ensuring that our community’s trust in our police is always earned.

Outlaw Market Manipulation Technologies: I will introduce legislation that explicitly bans the use of market manipulation technologies like RealPage within Renton. Landlords or property managers found using these platforms to set rents will face severe fines.

I will push to raise building codes to Passivhaus standards, which prioritize energy efficiency, healthier indoor air quality, and greater comfort for residents.