After graduating,Rinck was a policy analyst for the Sound Cities Association before becoming a director at the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA).[6][8] While at the KCRHA,she developed the multi-jurisdictional five-year plan focusing on spending money to address homelessness on a regional scale.[5][6][9] Before running for office,Rinck worked at the University of Washington as an assistant director of policy planning and state operations.[8][9]
In January 2024, Teresa Mosqueda vacated her city-wide District 8 seat in the Seattle City Council after being elected to King County Council District 8.[10] Community activist Tanya Woo was appointed to the seat until the November 2024 special election, and whoever won that election would only serve until the end of the term and would have to run for reelection in November 2025.[11] Rinck became Woo's first of four challengers, focusing her campaign on evidence-based solutions and solving the city's budget deficit through progressive taxes.[5][9][12]
In the August primary, Rinck came in first with 50.18%, with Woo coming in second with 38.38%.[13][14] During a September debate, Rinck criticized Woo and the council for approving the Stay out of Drug Area and Stay out of Areas of Prostitution areas in the city and not funding social services with progressive taxes.[13][15] Woo defended the legislation saying the zones would help address public safety issues in high-crime areas, and criticized Rinck for the high cost of the five-year plan Rinck shepherded while at the KCRHA.[13][15]
In the general election, Rinck won with 58% of the vote to Woo's 41%.[16] She took office on November 26, following certification of the election.[3]
Rinck announced her reelection campaign in February 2025 for a full term on the council.[17] She drew four challengers for the primary, which included Republican Rachael Savage, Bishop Ray Rogers, and Cascade Party of Washington board member Jesse James.[18] In the August primary, Rinck came in first in a landslide, with 78% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Savage, who earned 13%.[19] Of the four city-wide incumbents running for reelection, Rinck was the only one to come in first in the primary.[19]
Tenure
In February 2025, Rinck's first substantive action in office was the creation of the Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes, which focuses on the city's response to impacts from the Trump Administration.[18]
In June 2025, Rinck and Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a reworking of the city's Business and Operations tax to raise revenues by taxing large corporations while eliminating the tax on small businesses.[20] In August 2025, the city council unanomously passed the proposal which voters will vote to approve in the November general election.[21]
Electoral history
2024 election
Seattle City Council Position 8, Primary Election 2024[14]
↑ "Election Results"(PDF). King County Elections. November 26, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
↑ "Election Results"(PDF). King County Elections. August 18, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
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