Alex Pedersen (politician)

After declining to run for the newly created District 4 in the 2015 election,^[8] Pedersen announced his candidacy in November 2018.^[9] District 4 was named the key swing district in the city council race after the resignation of incumbent Rob Johnson, with Pedersen characterized by his competition as a conservative candidate among the primary field.^[10] He opposed the Move Seattle and Sound Transit 3 transportation referendums as well as the construction of bicycle lanes on 35th Avenue Northeast in District 4.^[4]

Pedersen won 40 percent of the vote in the primary and advanced to the general election alongside Shaun Scott, a Democratic Socialist writer and organizer.^[4] The two candidates took opposing sides in issues presented as debates, with Pedersen favoring the removal of homeless camps and reconsideration of the city's plans for neighborhood upzoning.^[4][11] His campaign received financial support from the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce's political action committee and an endorsement from The Seattle Times.^[12]

Pedersen won the election with 52 percent of the vote and was sworn in on November 26, 2019, replacing interim member Abel Pacheco Jr.^[11] His victory was credited to strong support in wealthier neighborhoods at the east edge of the district, while Scott earned more votes in the University District and Roosevelt.^[13] Pedersen was assigned as the chair of the council's Transportation and Utilities Committee, which was the subject of criticism from transportation advocacy groups based on his comments on previous referendums.^[14]

Pedersen identifies as a progressive Democrat, although he has also been described as a "pro-business moderate."^[15] Pedersen pushed for an amendment to Seattle's comprehensive plan in May 2023 that would impose "impact fees" on new housing to fund transportation projects. Other councilmembers had proposed similar plans to create impact fees on new development as early as 2014.^[16] Pedersen said that the new tax would allow Seattle to reduce its taxes on homeowners by raising them on renters.^[17]

In January 2023, Pedersen announced that he would not seek re-election to a second term. The Seattle Times described his first term voting record as being "consistently more centrist than his more left-leaning peers".^[18]

Pedersen lives in the Ravenna neighborhood of Northeast Seattle with his wife and two children.^[4][6]