Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2025 - Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Seattle City Council Position 8

Today we are profiling Alexis Mercedes Rinck (she/her), a queer Latina millennial who was elected councilwoman for Position 8 on the Seattle City Council who is running for re-election on the Democratic ticket. She won a special election last year by running to the left of the appointed councilmember. Born to two teenage gang members, Alexis’s father spent her whole childhood incarcerated and went on to face chronic homelessness and substance abuse disorder, while her mother ended up losing custody in the throes of the juvenile detention system, so Alexis was raised by her grandparents. Alexis is passionate about housing reform, fighting climate change, and protecting immigrant communities from ICE.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.3Andrew FAugust 12, 2025latina, latinx, queer, #queer, housing, housing crisis, homelessness, homeless crisis, election, #election, #SeattleComment

Workspaces to Living Places: Giving Empty Offices a Second Life

New York City has an abundance of empty office buildings and a shortage of affordable housing options. The fix? Turn those ghost-town workplaces into apartments people can afford. It’s a creative idea that sounds simple—but making it work is a whole different story. Let’s dive into how NYC is trying to turn old office space into new beginnings.

Local Change, Big Ideas: Inside Zohran Mamdani’s Work and Vision

In an era of profound political frustration, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani has become a standout voice for progressive change in New York. Representing parts of Queens, he’s built a reputation for pushing bold policies on housing, transit, and immigrant justice, while staying closely connected to the communities he serves. For many New Yorkers, Mamdani represents not just a politician, but a reminder that the government can still work for the people.