S3 Ep3: Mayoral candidate Casey Sixkiller
I think most of you know by now that I’m not an actual journalist. This podcast started as a passion project where I wanted to have real conversations with people about things happening to them - it was never meant to be political, hard hitting journalism. My degree is in Marketing. I’m a stay at home mom with a ton of curiosity and a knack for asking lots of questions. That’s what I’m good at.
Over the last two years, I’m more and more amazed at what the people around me are doing to forward humanity, and how the issues that real people have intersect with the real people who can affect them. The people that have impact are right here in our communities - shopping at our grocery stores, sending their kids to our schools. They’re right here in front of our faces. We have access to them if we choose to be curious.
Which brings me to Casey Sixkiller. A good friend of mine and I were chatting about Seattle politics and how this particular election seems to carry a different weight than any before it. This mayoral race is at a pivotal time - our homelessness in the city continues to rise, Seattle’s downtown is at a major crossroads, our police department is in major turmoil - who in their right mind would want to take this on? I asked. I continue prodding this individual to run for city council (you’ll meet him later this season), remains steadfast in his desire to avoid public office. He mentioned one mayoral candidate he was particularly excited about - this guy named Casey Sixkiller. “He’s young, he’s got little kids, and I think he could be someone more moderate who can actually bring the sides of our city together. He’s got big, bold plans that no one has seen before.” my friend said. Casey is Seattle’s current Deputy Mayor, so has seen our current administration operate from the inside, and maybe...just maybe...could be the person with the chops. My obvious follow-up question was “do you think he’d come on the podcast?” I decided to ask.
I pitched his campaign manager, and much to my surprise, they agreed to an interview. I told her, and I will tell you, that this is not a political podcast. Casey happens to have grown up in my neighborhood - he went to school with a whole lot of people I know, and is truly someone right in front of my face. My intent with this interview was to provide the same platform I always do - for someone to tell their story and share their experience. This isn’t a hard-hitting gotcha interview. Casey came to tell his story, tell us about what a campaign looks like, his basic plans, and I did what I do - ask simple questions I think we all have, and talk about uncomfortable topics in a non-judgemental way.
That said, I don’t think I ever expected the genuine honesty with which he answered my questions - it was quite a beautiful surprise. His willingness to educate and share real experience was quite fun - I came away with a totally different understanding of some of the issues we discussed and I hope you will too. No matter where you live, you will learn something about local government and maybe a new way to look at solutions to problems.
I’d like to say a huge thank you to Casey Sixkiller for coming on the podcast and patiently answering all the basic questions I could think of. The truth is, I can’t imagine making the choice to run for public office - the sacrifice it takes, the public scrutiny and opinions that are important and life changing, the toxic trolling, and continually answering to the population you impact seem almost impossible to handle. He, and all the candidates are putting themselves on the line in a way I know I never will. I wish all the candidates luck. We are a city that, in my humble opinion, is deserving of honesty, transparency, and big vision. Please do not forget that we all have power in the form of our ballot. Our votes matter, especially locally. If you want to see change, vote. Period. Go see the candidates speak - ask questions, engage, and be a part of the process. Or just share this podcast and vote.