Former federal prosecutor Erika Evans has won Seattle’s city attorney race, decisively defeating incumbent Ann Davison in Tuesday’s general election.
King County voting data shows Evans captured 62.5% of the vote with 70,727 ballots, whilst Davison received 37.1% support with 42,031 votes.
The margin represents a continuation of Evans’ strong performance from the primary election earlier this year, where she secured 55.8% compared to Davison’s 33.4%, outpacing the incumbent by 42,667 votes.
Seattle’s city attorney serves dual functions: defending the city in civil litigation matters whilst also prosecuting misdemeanour criminal offences. The position wields considerable influence over how Seattle approaches law enforcement priorities and legal strategy.
Davison’s tenure as city attorney featured notable initiatives including substantial progress addressing the backlog of criminal cases that accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her administration became particularly identified with establishing the city’s SOAP and SODA zones, controversial enforcement tools that restrict access to specific areas.
“Stay Out of Drug Areas,” or SODA zones, prohibit individuals tied to drug-related offences from entering designated sections of the city. “Stay Out of Area of Prostitution,” known as SOAP zones, similarly ban people convicted of crimes connected to sex trafficking from particular neighbourhoods within Seattle.
The SODA zone legislation was developed in partnership with Davison’s office, whilst the SOAP zone bill originated with Seattle City Council member Cathy Moore, who represents District 5. Seattle Municipal Court records indicate that 67 SODA zones and 27 SOAP zones have been established since the ordinances passed last year.
Davison, frequently characterised as the “law-and-order” candidate, first won the city attorney position in 2022, defeating Nicole Thomas-Kennedy by nearly 10,000 votes. Her campaign emphasised crime reduction achievements during her initial term, citing overall decreases in criminal activity across Seattle. Whilst property crime remains elevated, homicides declined by 41% and shooting incidents dropped by 29% during her tenure.
Her endorsement roster included Seattle City Council members Sara Nelson, Bob Kettle, Joy Hollingsworth, Maritza Rivera, and Mark Solomon. Former Governors Christine Gregoire and Gary Locke backed her candidacy, alongside U.S. Representative Adam Smith.
Evans brought four years of experience as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington to the race. She departed that position after conflicts with President Donald Trump and his administration’s policy directives.
With Washington state engaging in numerous legal challenges against federal government decisions, Evans campaigned on the argument that Seattle requires stronger protection from federal overreach. She positioned herself as better qualified than Davison to provide that defence, given her background in federal prosecution and her willingness to challenge federal authority when necessary.
Evans assembled significant institutional support, earning endorsements from Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, and Pete Holmes, who served three terms as Seattle city attorney before Davison claimed the position.
The contrast between candidates extended beyond credentials to fundamental questions about the city attorney’s role. Davison emphasised traditional prosecution and enforcement mechanisms, arguing that consistent application of existing laws produces safer communities. Evans advocated for a more selective approach to prosecution, prioritising cases with genuine public safety implications whilst diverting lower-level offences toward alternative interventions.
The SOAP and SODA zones became flashpoints in debates between the candidates. Davison defended them as necessary tools providing prosecutors leverage to address repeat offenders in areas experiencing concentrated criminal activity. Evans criticised the zones as ineffective and potentially counterproductive, arguing they simply displace problems rather than solving underlying issues whilst creating enforcement complications.
Criminal justice reform advocates largely aligned with Evans, viewing her approach as more aligned with evidence-based practices and harm reduction principles. Business community representatives and some neighbourhood organisations tended toward Davison, appreciating her emphasis on visible enforcement and her partnerships with law enforcement agencies.
The election result suggests Seattle voters prioritised Evans’ arguments about balancing enforcement with systemic reform and her commitment to defending city interests against federal intrusion. The decisive margin indicates the outcome reflects more than typical partisan alignment, representing a clear preference for Evans’ vision of the city attorney’s role.
Evans will assume office facing immediate challenges including managing ongoing litigation, addressing persistent concerns about public safety and disorder in commercial districts, and navigating relationships with a city council that includes members who supported her opponent.
The transition between administrations will require careful management of pending cases and prosecutorial priorities. Evans has indicated she will review existing policies and potentially adjust enforcement strategies, though she has also emphasised continuity in basic operations to avoid disrupting court proceedings and case management.
