🗳️ City council showdown

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🌧️ Today's weather: Rain. High near 58.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Seattle member Dave Errickson!

Today's newsletter is 788 words, a 3-minute read.

Seattle City Councilmember Tanya Woo is fighting to retain her seat against a progressive challenger, Alexis Mercedes Rinck, who led Woo by almost 12 percentage points in the August primary.

Why it matters: The race will serve as an early test of how voters feel about the new council majority, which received big support from business-backed groups last year.

State of play: It's the only Seattle council race on the ballot this year, after Woo was appointed in January to replace Teresa Mosqueda.

• The winner of the Nov. 5 special election will serve the final year of Mosqueda's unexpired term.
• They'll then have to run again in November 2025 if they want to keep the seat.

Here are some of the Position 8 candidates' biggest areas of disagreement.

Taxes and budget

The city is facing an annual budget deficit of at least $250 million heading into 2025.

• Given that shortfall, Rinck says, the council needs to seek new progressive tax revenue so it can afford to expand services like drug treatment, housing and youth programs.
• Those new taxes should target "corporations and the ultra wealthy" to ensure they "are paying their fair share," Rinck said during a debate last month.

The other side: Woo says taxes "should be a last resort."

• For small business owners, Woo said during the debate: "We can't always ask for additional funding when we are trying to balance our budgets."

Drug and prostitution "banishment" zones

Woo supports the council's recent action to create "stay out" zones, which people can be banned from entering if they're convicted or accused of certain prostitution or drug crimes.

Rinck characterized the "stay out" zones as "drawing lines on city maps" without adding the resources necessary to get people the help they need.

Police department

Rinck said she wouldn't have approved a recent police contract that didn't do much to add new accountability measures for officers.

• Woo voted for that contract, which gave officers retroactive pay raises. She said competitive wages are important as the department seeks to boost police staffing.

Go deeper

🌱 Discover new local events.

A South Asian Fashion Show and Celebration at Armoire on Oct 18: As Diwali approaches, celebrate the vibrant spirit of this season and the launch of an exclusive collection reimagining the South Asian tradition with contemporary fashion. Featuring live music by DJ HRVST House, craft cocktails and delicious food.

Hosting an event? Email local-events@axios.com.

Get ready for a rumble when Washington takes on the defending national champion Wolverines this weekend.

Why it matters: Michigan (4-1) won the College Football Playoff title in January, beating Washington 34-13 and now the Huskies (3-2) are hungry for revenge.

Driving the news: The No. 10 Wolverines are slated to play the Huskies, which entered the season unranked, at a sold-out Husky Stadium tomorrow.

The big picture: For the first time in the CFP era, a national championship rematch is happening in the following regular season.

What to watch: Washington is almost an entirely new team since January's title game with a new head coach, Jedd Fisch, who took the reins when Kalen DeBoer left.

• UW quarterback Will Rogers is among the Big Ten's statistical leaders in passing yards this season, per the Husky Haul, throwing for over 1,300 yards with 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions.
• Washington ranks 10th in the nation in scoring defense, Sports Illustrated reports.

The other side: Michigan also enters the game without its former head coach, quarterback and running back who all starred in the national title game.

Fun fact: The Dawgs are hosting the Wolverines in Seattle for the first time since 2001, per the University of Washington.

• The Huskies have won 17 consecutive home games, the second-longest active home win streak in the nation, and tied for the second-longest in school history, according to a Go Huskies report.

How to watch: The game kicks off around 4:30pm PT on NBC.

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🍔 Seattle's Lil Woody's has been named the best burger in Washington in a Reader's Digest roundup of "The Best Burger in Every State" based on ratings and reviews. (FOX 13)

💰Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz will be in Washington to attend a private fundraising event in Hunts Point, north of Medina, at 9am Tuesday. (MyNorthwest)

📈 Seattle's minimum wage for all businesses will rise to $20.76 per hour starting in January, the city announced yesterday.

• The statewide minimum wage will also go up to $16.66 per hour next year, an increase of 38 cents per hour. (Washington State Standard)

We held an event for Axios Seattle members at a Georgetown brewery this week and had a blast.

Why it matters: Every single person who came was super interesting and smart.

Our thought bubble: We had great conversations, heard some intriguing political insights and came away with several story ideas.

• We'll keep you posted on future events!

Get your brand in front of highly engaged readers in Seattle.

What's in it for you:

• Reach civic minded leaders and smart professionals.
• Support local journalism with Axios Local.

Learn more about advertising with us.

👟 Melissa cannot manage to keep her white sneakers clean and could use some tips.

👓 Clarridge is realizing her eyes don't work as good on dark roads as they once did.

This newsletter was edited by Rachel La Corte.