Dionne Foster | |
|---|---|
| Foster in 2025 | |
| Member-elect of the Seattle City Council for Position 9 | |
| Assuming office January 2026 | |
| Succeeding | Sara Nelson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1988or1989(age 36–37) |
| Residence(s) | Rainier Beach,Seattle |
| Education | George Mason University (BA) University of Washington (Masters) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Dionne Foster is an American politician who is the councilmember-elect for Seattle City Council Position 9. She was elected in 2025,defeating City Council President Sara Nelson. [1]
Foster was born in Germany and raised in Virginia. She was raised by her mother,who was a member of the United States Army and worked as a teacher. She attended George Mason University,where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and women's studies. [2] She moved to Seattle in 2011,earning a Master's degree from the University of Washington School of Social Work. She worked for Seattle Public Utilities,a government agency for the city,and the Seattle Foundation,a non-profit community foundation. She also worked as executive director of the Washington Progress Alliance,a progressive advocacy organization. [3]
In March 2025,Foster announced her candidacy for Seattle City Council,challenging City Council President Sara Nelson's reelection campaign. [4] She campaigned to Nelson's left,advocating for rebuilding the Seattle Police Department,greater investments in affordable housing,and rent stabilization. [5] [6] She also campaigned on denser housing and a greater focus on climate change in the city council. [7]
In the August primary,Foster won a majority of the vote at 58.4%,over Nelson's 35.3%. The two advanced to the general election out of a field of four candidates. [8] During the general election,Foster led two polls of the Position 9 race,one commissioned by The Stranger and another by the Northwest Progressive Institute . [9] [10] She would win decisively over Nelson in the general election with over 60% of the vote. [11] [12]
Foster has one son. [7] She lives in Rainier Beach. [1]
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dionne Foster | 110,636 | 58.44% | |
| Sara Nelson (incumbent) | 66,909 | 35.34% | |
| Mia Jacobson | 5,845 | 3.09% | |
| Connor Nash | 5,532 | 2.92% | |
| Write-in | 393 | 0.21% | |
| Total votes | 189,315 | 100.00% | |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dionne Foster | 160,275 | 62.52% | |
| Sara Nelson (incumbent) | 95,203 | 37.14% | |
| Write-in | 870 | 0.34% | |
| Total votes | 256,348 | 100.00% | |