Kshama Sawant#Involvement with Occupy

Born to H. T. and Vasundhara Ramanujam into a middle-class{{Cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/11/25/socialist-in-seattlenewcitycouncilorseesmorelikeher.html|title=Socialist in Seattle: City councilor expects not to be a rarity for long|website=america.aljazeera.com}} family in the city of Pune, Maharashtra, India. Sawant was raised mostly in Bombay.{{cite web |title=Seattle elects first socialist in Indian-American Kshama Sawant |author=IANS | newspaper=Business Standard |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/seattle-elects-first-socialist-in-indian-american-kshama-sawant-113111901019_1.html |date= November 19, 2013 }}{{cite web |title=Socialist in Seattle: City councilor expects not to be a rarity for long |author=Cedar Burnett |publisher=Al Jazeera |url= http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/11/25/socialist-in-seattlenewcitycouncilorseesmorelikeher.html |date= November 25, 2013 }} Her mother is a retired principal and her father, a civil engineer, was killed by a drunk driver when she was 13 years old.{{cite web |title=Socialist to occupy Seattle City Council |author=Maria La Ganga |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 20, 2013 |url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-c1-seattle-socialist-20131120-dto,0,7140015.htmlstory |access-date=November 20, 2013 |archive-date=November 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120145910/http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-c1-seattle-socialist-20131120-dto,0,7140015.htmlstory |url-status=live }} She describes her family as "full of doctors and engineers and mathematicians" but says that "I wasn't exposed to any particular ideology growing up."{{cite web |title=Growing wealth gap spurs on socialist in Seattle council race |author=Lewis Kamb |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=August 11, 2013 |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/growing-wealth-gap-spurs-on-socialist-in-seattle-council-race/ |access-date=January 25, 2017 |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227182356/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/growing-wealth-gap-spurs-on-socialist-in-seattle-council-race/ |url-status=live }}

Sawant graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Mumbai in 1994.{{cite web |title=Indian-origin Kshama Sawant elected to Seattle City Council |author=PTI |newspaper=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/nris-in-news/indian-origin-kshama-sawant-elected-to-seattle-city-council/articleshow/26053243.cms?from=mdr |date=November 19, 2013 }} After moving to the United States in 1996[https://repository.lib.ncsu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/3d120abe-c657-40b8-8a54-f04a5d53445b/content Elderly Labor Supply in a Rural, Less Developed Economy: An Empirical Study Kshama Vivek Sawant, PhD disertation, 2009] with her husband Vivek Sawant, a Microsoft software engineer,{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/seattles-new-socialist-on-city-council-lets-fly-in-inauguration-speech|title=Seattle's new socialist on City Council lets fly in inauguration speech|date=January 6, 2014|website=FOX13 News | Seattle & Western Washington | Formerly Q13 News}} she decided to turn her attention to economics following a year and a half stint as a programmer. She received her PhD in economics from North Carolina State University in 2009.Rob Mackay, [https://www.q13fox.com/news/seattles-new-socialist-on-city-council-lets-fly-in-inauguration-speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710080909/https://www.q13fox.com/news/seattles-new-socialist-on-city-council-lets-fly-in-inauguration-speech|date=July 10, 2020}}, KCPQ (January 6, 2014). Her dissertation was titled Elderly Labor Supply in a Rural, Less Developed Economy.{{cite web |title=Elderly Labor Supply in a Rural, Less Developed Economy: An Empirical Study. (Graduate thesis) |author=Kshama Sawant |date=April 23, 2009 |publisher=North Carolina State University |url=http://repository.lib.ncsu.edu/ir/bitstream/1840.16/5295/1/etd.pdf |access-date=October 30, 2013 |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101142920/http://repository.lib.ncsu.edu/ir/bitstream/1840.16/5295/1/etd.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Robert L. |last=Clark |title=Financial Education and Retirement Savings |date=March 27, 2003 |url=http://www.federalreserve.gov/communityaffairs/national/CA_Conf_SusCommDev/pdf/clarkrobert.pdf |access-date=September 4, 2012 |archive-date=May 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517133653/http://www.federalreserve.gov/communityaffairs/national/CA_Conf_SusCommDev/pdf/clarkrobert.pdf |url-status=live }}

After moving to Seattle, Sawant taught at Seattle University and University of Washington Tacoma and was an adjunct professor at Seattle Central College.{{cite web |url=https://www.seattle.gov/council/meet-the-council/kshama-sawant/about-kshama |title=About Kshama |publisher=Seattle City Council |access-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227182052/https://www.seattle.gov/council/meet-the-council/kshama-sawant/about-kshama |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last1=Socialist Alternative|title=Socialist wins 29% of the vote|date=November 12, 2012 |url=http://www.socialistalternative.org/2012/11/12/socialist-wins-29-of-the-vote-in-seattle-historic-opportunities-to-challenge-corporate-politics/|access-date=January 25, 2016|archive-date=February 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201194854/http://www.socialistalternative.org/2012/11/12/socialist-wins-29-of-the-vote-in-seattle-historic-opportunities-to-challenge-corporate-politics/|url-status=live}} She was also a visiting assistant professor at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.{{Citation |url= http://www.dartmouth.edu/~lusardiworkshop/Papers/JPEF%20submission.pdf |publisher= Cambridge University Press |title= Retirement Plans And Saving Decisions: The Role Of Information And Education |first1= Robert L. |last1= Clark |first2= Madeleine B. |last2= d'Ambrosio |first3= Ann A. |last3= McDermed |first4= Kshama |last4= Sawant |journal= Journal of Pension Economics and Finance|volume= 5 |issue= 1 |date= March 2006 |pages= 45–67 |doi= 10.1017/S1474747205002271 |s2cid= 154468651 |access-date= January 25, 2017 |archive-date= July 13, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180713011818/http://www.dartmouth.edu/~lusardiworkshop/Papers/JPEF%20submission.pdf |url-status= live }}

Sawant has indicated that the genesis of her becoming a socialist began in India and was reinforced upon her arrival in the United States, which she described as "the wealthiest country in the history of humanity", yet is subject to poverty and homelessness. In 2008, she attended a Socialist Alternative meeting after reading a pamphlet and became a member.{{cite web |url=https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2019/10/a-battle-over-amazon-sawant-vs-orion-in-their-own-words-on-district-3-issues-housing-homelessness-public-safety-and-the-environment/ |title=A battle over Amazon? Sawant vs. Orion in their own words on District 3 issues - housing, homelessness, public safety, and the environment |publisher=Capitolhillseattle.com |date=October 31, 2019 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713003135/https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2019/10/a-battle-over-amazon-sawant-vs-orion-in-their-own-words-on-district-3-issues-housing-homelessness-public-safety-and-the-environment/ |url-status=live }}

In 2012, Sawant ran unsuccessfully for Position 1 in the 43rd district of the Washington House of Representatives, representing Seattle. Sawant also ran and advanced past the primaries as a write-in win for Position 2. Washington state law allowed her to choose the election in which she would run, but as a write-in candidate, she was not permitted to state her party preference. Sawant successfully sued the Washington secretary of state for the right to be listed as a Socialist Alternative member on the ballot.{{cite news |url= http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/08/washington_socialist_candidate.html |agency= Associated Press |publisher= OregonLive.com |title= Washington socialist candidate wins suit to state party preference |date= August 30, 2012 |access-date= November 19, 2013 |archive-date= February 22, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222201659/http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/08/washington_socialist_candidate.html |url-status= live }} Sawant challenged incumbent Democratic House speaker Frank Chopp in the general election on November 6, 2012. She received 29% of the vote to Chopp's 70%.{{cite web |url=http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2012nov-general/results/legislative/leg43-rep2.aspx |access-date=August 7, 2013 |title=Legislative District 43 : Rep Position 2 |series=State Legislative Races Results, November 2012 General Election |work=King County Elections |date=November 28, 2012 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301181316/http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2012nov-general/results/legislative/leg43-rep2.aspx |url-status=live }}

After her unsuccessful run for the House, Sawant entered the race for Seattle City Council with a campaign organized by the Socialist Alternative.{{cite web |title=KEXP interview with Kshama Sawant |date=October 28, 2013 |publisher=KEXP-FM |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HiEXINihrQ#t=91 |access-date=April 14, 2016 |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822151940/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HiEXINihrQ#t=91 |url-status=live }} She won 35% of the vote in the August primary election, and advanced into the general election for the at-large council position 2 against incumbent Richard Conlin, making her the first socialist to advance to a general election in Seattle since 1991.{{cite news |title=Socialist Kshama Sawant wins Seattle City Council seat |author=Manuel Valdes |agency=Associated Press |date=November 16, 2013 |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/nov/16/socialist-kshama-sawant-wins-seattle-city-council/ |access-date=November 17, 2013 |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517012358/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/nov/16/socialist-kshama-sawant-wins-seattle-city-council/ |url-status=live }} On November 15, 2013, Conlin conceded to Sawant when returns showed him down by 1,640 votes or approximately 1% of the vote.{{cite web |title=Conlin Concedes to Socialist Sawant in Seattle Council Race |author=Martha Kang and Manuel Valdes |date=November 16, 2013 |publisher=KNKX.org |url=http://knkx.org/post/conlin-concedes-socialist-sawant-seattle-council-race |access-date=November 10, 2019 |archive-date=November 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110040820/https://www.knkx.org/post/conlin-concedes-socialist-sawant-seattle-council-race |url-status=live }}

Sawant's victory made her the first socialist to win a citywide election in Seattle since Anna Louise Strong was elected to the School Board in 1916 and the first socialist on the City Council since A. W. Piper, elected in 1877.{{Citation |title= Now & Then – Seattle's Front Street (now 1st Avenue); Essay 2585 |publisher= HistoryLink |first= Paul |last= Dorpat |date= January 1, 1999 |url= http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=2585 |access-date= November 20, 2013 |archive-date= December 12, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191212220954/http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=2585 |url-status= live }} She was sworn into office on January 6, 2014.{{cite web |title=Socialist sworn in as Seattle city council member |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/06/socialist-seattle-city-council/4349923/ |date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803170504/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/06/socialist-seattle-city-council/4349923/ |url-status=live }}

File:$15-hr National Day of Action (16984748179).jpg

Sawant declared victory in May 2014 after Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced an increase in the minimum wage to $15, which was the cornerstone of her campaign for City Council; she was not pleased that large corporations would be allowed a few years to phase in the wage hike.{{cite news |first=Ryan |last=Buxton |date=May 1, 2014 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/01/kshama-sawant-seattle-minimum-wage_n_5249435.html |title=Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Councilwoman: McDonald's Doesn't Need Time To Phase In $15 Minimum Wage |newspaper=The Huffington Post |access-date=May 1, 2014 |archive-date=December 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231025650/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/01/kshama-sawant-seattle-minimum-wage_n_5249435.html |url-status=live }} During a speech at the City Council on the day of the vote she said, "We did this. Workers did this. Today's first major victory for 15 will inspire people all over the nation."{{cite web |url=http://www.socialistalternative.org/2014/06/03/speech-by-socialist-seattle-city-councilmember-kshama-sawant/ |title=Speech by City Councilmember Sawant on $15 Victory |website=Socialist Alternative |date=June 3, 2014 |access-date=June 3, 2014 |archive-date=June 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608163551/http://www.socialistalternative.org/2014/06/03/speech-by-socialist-seattle-city-councilmember-kshama-sawant/ |url-status=live }}

Several Democrats endorsed her candidacy.{{cite web |title=Activist Democrats Support Socialist Candidate Kshama Sawant |author=Deborah Wang |date=October 30, 2013 |publisher=KUOW-FM |url=http://kuow.org/post/activist-democrats-support-socialist-candidate-kshama-sawant |access-date=October 31, 2013 |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102040409/http://kuow.org/post/activist-democrats-support-socialist-candidate-kshama-sawant |url-status=live }} Celebrity endorsements included Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian.{{cite web |title=Sawant Lands Tom Morello/Serj Tankian 'Axis of Justice' Endorsement |author=Matt Driscoll |publisher=Seattle Weekly |url=http://www.seattleweekly.com/home/949429-129/sawant-endorsement-justice-axis-seattle-social |access-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070905/http://www.seattleweekly.com/home/949429-129/sawant-endorsement-justice-axis-seattle-social |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Sawant received no endorsements from sitting councilmembers, while Mike O'Brien expressed support of the idea of third-party candidates but explicitly declining to extend an endorsement of Sawant.{{cite web |title=Mike O'Brien Expected to Make 'Significant Statement' In Support of Sawant |author=Matt Driscoll |work=Seattle Weekly |url=http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/thedailyweekly/949630-129/sawant-brien-campaign-statement-according-council |access-date=October 31, 2013 |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103063811/http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/thedailyweekly/949630-129/sawant-brien-campaign-statement-according-council |url-status=live }} The Stranger alt-weekly endorsed both her State House and her City Council candidacy.{{Cite news |title=Endorsements for the August 7 Primary Election |series=Vote or We'll Kill You |newspaper=The Stranger |author=Stranger Election Control Board |date=July 17, 2012 |url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/vote-or-well-kill-you/Content?oid=14208972 |access-date=August 7, 2013 |archive-date=August 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806110109/http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/vote-or-well-kill-you/Content?oid=14208972 |url-status=live }} Councilman Nick Licata also declined to endorse her but spoke positively of her campaign saying, "she has been able to craft a message that is understandable, simple and eschews most of the rhetoric", and when her eventual election victory seemed unlikely, he expressed his hope that Sawant would not "disappear after the election if she loses. She represents the poor, the immigrants, the refugees—the folks who are not in our City Council offices lobbying us."{{cite web |title=Why Socialist Kshama Sawant's Campaign Matters, Win Or Lose |author=Isolde Raftery |publisher=KUOW-FM |url=http://kuow.org/post/why-socialist-kshama-sawants-campaign-matters-win-or-lose |access-date=November 17, 2013 |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109024759/http://kuow.org/post/why-socialist-kshama-sawants-campaign-matters-win-or-lose |url-status=live }}

During her campaign, Sawant said that, if elected, she would donate the portion of her salary as a City Council member that exceeded the average salary in Seattle.{{cite web |title=Kshama Sawant: A Socialist, Indian-American Woman Running For Seattle City Council... And She May Win |newspaper=International Business Times |author=Palash Ghosh |date=October 16, 2013 |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/kshama-sawant-socialist-indian-american-woman-running-seattle-city-council-she-may-win-1428780 |access-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103211134/http://www.ibtimes.com/kshama-sawant-socialist-indian-american-woman-running-seattle-city-council-she-may-win-1428780 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=For Seattle council: Conlin against Sawant, O'Brien against Shen |newspaper=Seattle Times |last=Young |first=Bob |date=August 6, 2013 |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021552376_elexseattlecitycouncilxml.html |access-date=August 7, 2013 |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103043621/http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021552376_elexseattlecitycouncilxml.html |url-status=live }} On January 27, 2014, she announced that she would live on $40,000 of her $117,000 salary.Jeff Black (January 27, 2014). [http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/27/22472667-seattles-socialist-councilwoman-to-accept-less-than-half-of-117k-salary Seattle's Socialist councilwoman to accept less than half of $117K salary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129181420/http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/27/22472667-seattles-socialist-councilwoman-to-accept-less-than-half-of-117k-salary |date=January 29, 2014 }}. NBC News. Retrieved January 28, 2014. She placed the rest into a political fund that she used for social justice campaigns.{{cite news |title=Meet the Seattle Socialist Leading the Fight for a $15 Minimum Wage |author=Kevin Roose |newspaper=New York Magazine |url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/05/kshama-sawant-seattle-socialist.html |access-date=May 27, 2014 |archive-date=May 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527214902/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/05/kshama-sawant-seattle-socialist.html |url-status=live }} As of September 19, 2021, she cited her current city-allotted salary as $140,000, while she continued to take home $40,000 of that amount.Council Connection (September 19, 2021). [https://council.seattle.gov/2021/09/18/councilmember-sawant-we-must-all-back-the-courageous-carpenters-strike/ Councilmember Sawant: We Must All Back the Courageous Carpenters Strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920005840/https://council.seattle.gov/2021/09/18/councilmember-sawant-we-must-all-back-the-courageous-carpenters-strike/|date=September 20, 2021}}. Council Connection. Retrieved September 19, 2021.

Per the Socialist Alternative website which tracks her donations, Sawant would fail to donate the $40,000 to $60,000 required to have a take home pay of $40,000 and has not released her donations for the year 2023.{{cite web |title=Kshama Sawant Solidarity Fund |url=https://www.socialistalternative.org/solidarityfund/ |publisher=Socialist Alternative |access-date=29 August 2024}} In March 2023, local news reported that Sawant failed to meet her donation promises for eight of her nine years in public office.{{cite news |last1=Nash |first1=Connor |title=Sawant Released Past Solidarity Fund Annual Reports; She Failed To Meet Campaign Promise 8 Of 9 years In Office |url=https://www.emeraldcityjournal.com/2023/03/sawant-released-past-solidarity-fund-annual-reports-she-failed-to-meet-campaign-promise-8-of-9-years-in-office/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=Emerald City Journal |date=25 March 2023}}

Sawant called for the expansion of bus and light rail capacity with a millionaire's tax. She has also called for "transit justice", which would include free user fares; an increase in free transit services to the poor, especially communities in south Seattle; and restriction of transit options to communities that "can afford other options" until the foregoing measures were implemented.{{cite web|title=What Our Campaign Stands For |author=Kshama Sawant |publisher=Wayback Machine |date=July 27, 2012 |url=http://votesawant.org/?q=node/3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727035507/http://votesawant.org/?q=node%2F3 |archive-date=July 27, 2012 }}

During the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, Sawant urged the Seattle City Council to condemn both Israel's attacks on Gaza and Hamas's attacks on Israel, and called on President Obama and Congress to denounce the Israeli blockade of Gaza and to cut off all military assistance to Israel.{{cite web |url=http://www.salon.com/2014/08/09/they_don%E2%80%99t_have_the_courage_how_the_two_party_system_aided_israel_disaster/ |title="They don't have the courage": How the two-party system aided Israel disaster |work=Salon.com |date=August 9, 2014 |access-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-date=August 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817115216/http://www.salon.com/2014/08/09/they_don%e2%80%99t_have_the_courage_how_the_two_party_system_aided_israel_disaster/ |url-status=live }}{{Citation |url= http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2014/08/13/war-in-gaza-israel-takes-fire-from-two-seattle-city-council-members/ |title= War in Gaza: Israel takes fire from two Seattle City Council members |date= August 13, 2014 |first= Joel |last= Connelly |newspaper= Seattle P-I |access-date= December 18, 2014 |archive-date= December 18, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141218180628/http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2014/08/13/war-in-gaza-israel-takes-fire-from-two-seattle-city-council-members/ |url-status= live }} Sawant's call to condemn Israel's actions prompted a response from Israeli ambassador Ron Dermer, calling for Sawant to retract the statement.{{cite web |url=http://mynorthwest.com/992/2581426/Ambassador-of-Israel-to-US-says-Seattles-Kshama-Sawant-will-have-to-retract-her-statements |title=Ambassador of Israel to US says Seattle's Kshama Sawant will have to retract statements |publisher=MyNorthwest.com – Blog |date=August 7, 2014 |access-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810072123/http://mynorthwest.com/992/2581426/Ambassador-of-Israel-to-US-says-Seattles-Kshama-Sawant-will-have-to-retract-her-statements |url-status=live |last1=Klein |first1=Stephanie }}

In 2020, Sawant advocated for defunding the Seattle Police Department (SPD) by 50%, aligning with the broader "defund the police" movement.{{cite web | url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/sawant-reveals-proposal-defunding-spd-by-85m-fires-back-ad/WQFPUMBL7FB7ZDZFUDPCUXDB64/ | title=Sawant reveals proposal for defunding SPD by $85M, fires back on ad | date=July 31, 2020 }} The city council made only smaller cuts to the police budget.{{cite web | url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/did-seattle-defund-the-police | title=Off the Charts: Did Seattle defund the police? | date=April 4, 2024 }}

The core issues of Sawant's campaign were a successful minimum wage increase to $15/hour, a successful "millionaire's tax" or income tax on wealthy Seattleites, and an unsuccessful rent control program. During the 2013 campaign, Sawant had said rent control is "something everyone supports, except real estate developers and people like Richard Conlin" and compared the legal fight for its implementation to same-sex marriage, and the legalization of marijuana in the United States, both of which she supports. Her campaign for a $15 an hour minimum wage has been credited for bringing the issue into the mainstream and attracting support for the policy from both Seattle former Mayors Michael McGinn and Ed Murray.{{cite web |title=Kshama Sawant Is A Socialist But What Does That Even Mean? |author=Ross Reynolds and David Hyde |publisher=KUOW |date=November 18, 2013 |url=http://kuow.org/post/kshama-sawant-socialist-what-does-even-mean |access-date=November 19, 2013 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024704/https://kuow.org/stories/kshama-sawant-socialist-what-does-even-mean/ |url-status=live }} In response to criticism that a $15 an hour minimum wage could hurt the economy, she said, "If making sure that workers get out of poverty would severely impact the economy, then maybe we don't need this economy." She is also a supporter of expanding public transit and bikeways, ending corporate welfare, ending racial profiling, reducing taxes on small businesses and homeowners, protecting public sector unions from layoffs, living wage union jobs, and social services.

Sawant's platform of non-local Seattle issues, like rent control, income tax, corporate welfare, supporting the minimum wage outside Seattle, in SeaTac, and other cities, and participating in the Seattle Arctic drilling protests drew criticism from Sawant's opponents and favor with her leftist supporters.{{Citation |title= Kshama Sawant vs. Pamela Banks: Grandiose designs vs. local grounding |first= Joel |last= Connelly |date= October 5, 2015 |url= http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/10/05/kshama-sawant-vs-pamela-banks-grandiose-designs-vs-local-grounding/ |newspaper= Seattle P-I |access-date= January 27, 2016 |archive-date= January 27, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160127024049/http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/10/05/kshama-sawant-vs-pamela-banks-grandiose-designs-vs-local-grounding/ |url-status= live }} Her District 3 opponent Pamela Banks criticized Sawant's status as a national figure as a distraction from her primary duty to serve her constituents. The Seattle Times, in their endorsement of Banks, said the City Council "isn't a job for an ideologue" and that "the District 3 seat is more than a podium", that it "needs a collaborative leader to work with other districts and balance resources and investment."{{Citation |url= http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/the-times-recommends-pamela-banks-in-seattle-city-council-district-no-3/ |newspaper=The Seattle Times |title= The Times recommends: Pamela Banks in Seattle City Council District No. 3 |date=July 9, 2015 |author= Seattle Times editorial board }} On April 7, 2015, journalist Chris Hedges endorsed Sawant.Kiley, Brendan (June 6, 2015) [http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2015/06/06/22341657/a-hasty-interview-with-journalist-chris-hedges A Quick Interview With Journalist Chris Hedges] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712011124/http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2015/06/06/22341657/a-hasty-interview-with-journalist-chris-hedges |date=July 12, 2015 }}. The Stranger.Connelly, Joel (June 7, 2015) [http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/06/07/kshama-sawant-i-represent-aspirations-of-tens-of-thousands-of-people/#23925101=0 Kshama Sawant: I represent "aspirations of tens of thousands of people"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712044238/http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/06/07/kshama-sawant-i-represent-aspirations-of-tens-of-thousands-of-people/#23925101=0 |date=July 12, 2015 }}. June 7, 2015

Sawant advanced through the primary election for City Council District 3 representative on August 4, 2015, with 52% of the vote, 18 percentage points ahead of her closest opponent, Pamela Banks at 34%.{{cite web |url=https://electionsdata.kingcounty.gov/2015/election-results-august/three/City/Seattle/City+of+Seattle+Council+District+No.+3 |title=The Data Platform for 21st Century Digital Government |website=Socrata, Inc.|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024646/https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/about-us/data-and-statistics.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://q13fox.com/2015/08/04/primary-seattles-sawant-gets-strong-primary-vote-incumbent-godden-may-be-in-trouble/|title=Election: Seattle's Sawant gets strong primary vote; incumbent Godden may be in trouble|date=August 5, 2015|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=October 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018122426/https://q13fox.com/2015/08/04/primary-seattles-sawant-gets-strong-primary-vote-incumbent-godden-may-be-in-trouble/|url-status=live}} Voters returned Sawant to the City Council and made her the first District 3 representative in November 2015, with 17,170 votes counted for Sawant and 13,427 for Banks, or 56% to 44%. With incumbent O'Brien elected to District 6, and former Licata aide Lisa Herbold elected to District 1, they, along with Sawant, became the new progressive bloc of the council, which became majority female with the addition of two other women, Debora Juarez and Lorena González.{{Citation |url= http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/younger-more-diverse-seattle-city-council-could-bring-changes/ |title= Younger, more diverse Seattle City Council likely to bring changes |date= December 18, 2015 |first= Daniel |last= Beekman |access-date= January 28, 2016 |archive-date= February 16, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024712/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/younger-more-diverse-seattle-city-council-could-bring-changes/ |url-status= live }} Sawant, as one of the four people of color on the new Council, also became part of a younger and more diverse Council, the first to seat members by district in more than 100 years.

{{Main|2019 Seattle City Council election}}

In 2019, Sawant ran against Egan Orion, the head of the United States Chamber of Commerce in Capitol Hill.{{Cite news |date=April 9, 2019 |title=These Seattle City Council candidates want Kshama Sawant's seat |work=Crosscut.com |url=https://crosscut.com/2019/04/these-seattle-city-council-candidates-want-kshama-sawants-seat |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210622124758/https://crosscut.com/2019/04/these-seattle-city-council-candidates-want-kshama-sawants-seat |archive-date=June 22, 2021 |access-date=June 22, 2021 }}{{Cite news |date=April 2, 2019 |title=Capitol Hill leader Egan Orion challenges Sawant in D3 race |work=MyNorthwest |url=https://mynorthwest.com/1331566/egan-orion-seattle-council-campaign/? |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210622125409/https://mynorthwest.com/1331566/egan-orion-seattle-council-campaign/? |archive-date=June 22, 2021 |access-date=June 22, 2021 }} Sawant was endorsed by the Democrats of Seattle's 43rd Legislative District.{{cite web |publisher=Capitol Hill Seattle Blog |title='History' — 43rd District Democrats endorse 'non-Democrat' Sawant |date=September 18, 2019 |url=https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2019/09/history-43rd-district-democrats-endorse-non-democrat-sawant/}}

The 2019 Seattle City Council election gained national attention after Amazon spent an unprecedented $1.5 million on the campaign.{{cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/amazon-drops-additional-1-million-plus-into-seattle-city-council-races-with-ballots-mailing-this-week/ |title=Amazon drops additional $1 million-plus into Seattle City Council races, with ballots out this week |last1=Beekman |first1=Daniel |last2=Brunner |first2=Jim |date=October 15, 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 9, 2019 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024703/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/amazon-drops-additional-1-million-plus-into-seattle-city-council-races-with-ballots-mailing-this-week/ |url-status=live }} The company, which is the largest private employer in the city,{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-11-07/amazon-kshama-sawant-seattle-socialist |title=Amazon spends big in attempt to defeat socialist City Council member in Seattle election |last=Read |first=Richard |date=November 7, 2019 |work=The Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 9, 2019}} contributed the funds to a political action committee operated by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce which backs candidates the chamber considers to be more "business-friendly".{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/amazons-spending-in-seattle-council-races-doesnt-deliver/2019/11/06/d9fb2ac0-00f8-11ea-8341-cc3dce52e7de_story.html |title=Amazon's spending in Seattle Council races doesn't deliver |last=Johnson |first=Gene |date=November 6, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 9, 2019 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216022246/https://www.washingtonpost.com/ |url-status=dead }} The PAC supported Sawant's opponent in the race. Amazon became increasingly involved in city council politics after the passage of the Seattle head tax in 2018, which would have cost the company $11 million annually in order to fund public housing and homeless services.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/5713537/amazon-seattle-city-council/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029214253/https://time.com/5713537/amazon-seattle-city-council/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |title=Amazon Spends $1 Million to Remake Seattle's Liberal City Council |last=Johnson |first=Gene |agency=Associated Press |date=October 29, 2019 |magazine=Time |access-date=November 9, 2019}} Shortly after enacting the tax, the city council voted 7–2 to repeal it, with Sawant being one of the two dissenters.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Eric M. |date=June 12, 2018 |title=Seattle City Council repeals 'head tax' weeks after enactment |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-seattle-tax/seattle-city-council-repeals-head-tax-weeks-after-enactment-idUSKBN1J82UB |publisher=Reuters |access-date=November 9, 2019}}

On November 5, 2019, Sawant was elected to a third term on the Seattle City Council with 51.8% of the vote.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/09/seattle-amazon-kshama-sawant-socialist-elections |title=Blow to Amazon as Seattle socialist looks to have triumphed in key vote |last=Golden |first=Hallie |date=November 9, 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=November 9, 2019 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024650/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/09/seattle-amazon-kshama-sawant-socialist-elections |url-status=live }}

File:2021 Seattle City Council 3rd district recall election by precinct.svg]]

In August 2020, petitioner Ernie Lou submitted a petition to the King County Elections Office to recall Sawant, charging that Sawant "used her position in violation of the law or has recklessly undermined the safety of others," including open city council to protests, the march on Mayor Durkan's home, and encouraging people to occupy the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest.{{cite news |last1=Craighead |first1=Callie |title=Judge rules recall petition against Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant can move forward |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/local/seattlenews/article/judge-hears-arguments-in-sawant-recall-petition-15571964.php |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=Seattle Post Intelligencer |date=16 September 2020}} The charges that was argued and approved by the court were: 1. Delegated city employment decisions to a political organization outside city government, 2. used city resources to support a ballot initiative and failed to comply with public disclosure requirements related such support, 3. disregarded state orders related to COVID-19 and endangered the safety of city workers and other individuals by admitting hundreds of people into city hall on June 9, 2020, when it was closed to the public, and 4. led a protest march to Mayor Jenny Durkan's private residence, the location of which Sawant knows is protected under state confidentiality laws.

Sawant responded by denying the charges in the petition and claiming that right-wing billionaires backed the recall effort.{{cite news |title=Seattle man claims he was fired for launching recall effort against Councilmember Kshama Sawant | newspaper=Fox News | url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/washington-supreme-court-kshama-sawant-seattle-recall }} Sawant would appeal the district court's ruling allowing the recall effort to move forward, and in April 2021 the Washington Supreme Court ruled that the recall effort could move forward.{{cite news |last1=Craighead |first1=Callie |title=Kshama Sawant recall appeal heads to Washington Supreme Court in January |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/seattle-kshama-sawant-recall-appeal-supreme-court-15773712.php |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=Seattle Post Intelligencer |date=7 January 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Gutman |first1=David |title=Recall effort against Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant can move forward, state's highest court rules |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/recall-effort-against-seattle-city-councilmember-kshama-sawant-can-move-forward-washington-supreme-court-rules/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=1 April 2021}} Sawant's legal defense was funded by the city council using taxpayer funds.{{cite news |last1=Gutman |first1=David |title=Seattle City Council votes to fund Kshama Sawant legal defense in recall effort |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-council-votes-to-fund-kshama-sawant-legal-defense-in-recall-effort/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=15 September 2020}}

In September 2021, the King County Elections Office set the recall election date for December 7.{{Cite web |title=Recall vote for Seattle City Council's Kshama Sawant set for December 7 |newspaper=KOMO News |url=https://komonews.com/news/politics/recall-vote-for-seattle-city-council-member-kshama-sawant-will-be-on-the-ballot|date=September 29, 2021 }} Sawant's strategy for the recall election focused on driving up turnout among young voters, one of her core constituencies.{{cite web|url=https://jacobinmag.com/2021/12/seattle-kshama-sawant-reelection-socialism-city-council-capitalist-strategy|title=Seattle's Capitalists Couldn't Defeat Kshama Sawant |website=Jacobin |last1=Silverstein |first1=Richard |author-link=Richard Silverstein|date=December 10, 2021|accessdate=December 10, 2021}} It was the first recall election held in Seattle since the 1975 recall election against Mayor Wesley C. Uhlman.{{Cite news |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Sawant recall campaign in full swing and Noam Chomsky has a bit role |work=Puget Sound Business Journal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/11/18/sawant-recall-campaign.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211211084457/https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/11/18/sawant-recall-campaign.html |archive-date=December 11, 2021 |access-date=December 11, 2021 }} The results of the election were close, with Sawant overcoming the recall by 310 votes, which was 0.76% of the 41,033 votes cast. The turnout was 52.9%.{{cite news |title=Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant defeats recall effort |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-councilmember-kshama-sawant-defeats-recall-effort/ |date=December 16, 2021|first=Sarah Grace| last= Taylor| publisher=Seattle Times}}

On January 19, 2023, Sawant announced that she would retire from the city council at the end of the year, and that she would be launching Workers Strike Back, a national labor movement.{{cite web |last=Sawant |first=Kshama |url=https://www.thestranger.com/guest-editorial/2023/01/19/78821484/why-im-not-running-again-for-city-council|title=Why I'm Not Running Again for City Council|work=The Stranger|date=January 19, 2023|accessdate=January 19, 2023}}

Sawant referred to Seattle landlord Carl Haglund as a "notorious slumlord" and proposed a "Carl Haglund law" in 2015 which would ban landlords from raising rents on housing units that do not meet basic maintenance standards.{{cite news |last1=Groover |first1=Heidi |title=Landlord Carl Haglund Files $25 Million Claim Against City After Kshama Sawant Dubbed Him a "Slumlord" |url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2017/07/28/25315509/landlord-carl-haglund-files-25-claim-against-city-after-kshama-sawant-dubbed-him-a-slumlord |accessdate=19 June 2020 |work=The Stranger |date=28 July 2017}} In 2016, the Seattle City Council passed the bill into law.{{cite news |last1=Kinney |first1=Jen |title=Tenants Rights Advocates Score Victory in Seattle |url=https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/seattle-tenants-get-protection-from-slumlords |accessdate=20 June 2020 |work=NextCity |date=7 June 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Badger |first1=Emily |title=A guaranteed way to make landlords care about crumbling apartments |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/06/22/seattle-may-finally-have-found-a-way-to-stop-an-outrageous-practice-by-landlords |accessdate=18 September 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=22 June 2016}} In 2017, Haglund filed a lawsuit against the City of Seattle for defamation, seeking $25 million in damages, a retraction of "derogatory comments," and a resolution apologizing to him. Haglund subsequently filed suit against Sawant personally saying that she slandered him.{{cite news |last1=Norimine |first1=Hayat |title=Should Seattle Defend Kshama Sawant? |url=https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2017/11/should-seattle-defend-kshama-sawant |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=Seattle Met |date=November 20, 2017}} After a judge dismissed four of Haglund's nine claims, Haglund dropped the remaining ones. The City of Seattle spent about $250,000 defending against the lawsuits.{{cite news |last1=Lacitis |first1=Erik |title=Landlord drops remaining defamation suit against Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/landlord-drops-remaining-defamation-suit-against-seattle-councilmember-kshama-sawant/ |accessdate=19 June 2020 |work=The Seattle Times |date=4 June 2018}}

In August 2017, two Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers sued Sawant, claiming she defamed them by calling them murderers after they shot and killed Che Taylor.{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Hana |title=City of Seattle could pay more than $300,000 to defend Council member Kshama Sawant |url=https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/city-of-seattle-could-pay-more-than-300000-to-defend-council-member-kshama-sawant |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=Fox13 |date=October 27, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Burton |first1=Lynsi |title=Officers who shot Che Taylor sue Kshama Sawant for defamation |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Officers-who-shot-Che-Taylor-sue-Kshama-Sawant-11950810.php |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=Seattle Post Intelligencer |date=August 22, 2017}} At a February 2016 rally, she said that Taylor's death was a "blatant murder at the hands of the police" and an example of "racial profiling." Council President Bruce Harrell wrote in a Seattle Times article that the city would pay for legal representation in her defense stating, "Councilmember Sawant was engaged in communication that was a clear extension of her office." Over seven years, the case would bounce back and forth between the district and appeals court until 2024, when the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reaffirmed the dismissal.{{cite news |last1=Carter |first1=Mike |title=Seattle officers' defamation claim against Kshama Sawant over Che Taylor 'murder' comments again dismissed by judge |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/officers-defamation-claim-against-kshama-sawant-over-che-taylor-murder-comments-again-dismissed-by-judge/ |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |date=December 30, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Volokh |first1=Eugene |title=Police Officers' Libel Lawsuit Against Seattle City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant Can Go Forward |url=https://reason.com/volokh/2021/11/10/police-officers-libel-lawsuit-against-seattle-city-councilwoman-kshama-sawant-can-go-forward/ |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=Reason Magazine |date=October 11, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=Officer defamation suit against ex-Seattle Councilmember Sawant dismissed |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/officer-defamation-suit-against-ex-seattle-councilmember-sawant-dismissed/ |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 29, 2024}}

In 2015 and 2018, multiple complaints were lodged against Sawant over potential misuse of city resources for a town hall (2015) and rally (2018) by anonymous reporters and council member Sally Bagshaw.{{cite news |last1=Groover |first1=Heidi |title=Ethics and Elections Commission Says Kshama Sawant Didn't Misuse City Property During Her Housing Affordability Town Hall |url=https://www.thestranger.com/news/2015/07/17/22562950/ethics-and-elections-commission-says-kshama-sawant-didnt-misuse-city-property-during-her-housing-affordability-town-hall |access-date=29 August 2024 |date=17 July 2015}} In a May 2018 council briefing, Bagshaw stated, "I just don't think it is right for us to be using city resources or the copy machines to promote something that not all of us agree to."{{cite news |last1=Pohjola |first1=Jeff |title=Sawant subject of at least 4 ethics complaints |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/sawant-subject-of-at-least-4-ethics-complaints |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=KOMO News |date=17 May 2018}} Sawant responded by saying, "I strongly believe that council resources should absolutely be used to build social movements and not for furthering the interests of the Chamber of Commerce." In both instances, Sawant was found to have not violated any ethics codes by the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.

In February 2020, an ethics complaint was lodged against Sawant for using public resources in support of the "Tax Amazon" ballot initiative that she started.{{cite news |last1=Schofield |first1=Kevin |title=Sawant and "Tax Amazon" campaign violating several state and local laws; Ethics commission files charges |url=https://sccinsight.com/2020/02/10/sawant-and-tax-amazon-campaign-violating-several-state-and-local-laws-ethics-commission-files-charges/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=Seattle City Council Insight |date=10 February 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Beekman |first1=Daniel |title=Seattle's Kshama Sawant charged with violating city law by using council office to promote 'Tax Amazon' initiative |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattles-kshama-sawant-charged-with-violating-city-law-by-using-council-office-to-promote-tax-amazon-initiative/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=11 February 2020}} In response to the complaint, Sawant wrote, "It's shameful that while big business has license to run amok trying to bully or buy politicians...working people have to follow the most onerous of restrictions."{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Seattle Councilmember Sawant violated city law with Tax Amazon efforts, ethics commission says |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/seattle-councilmember-sawant-violated-city-law-with-tax-amazon-efforts-ethics-commission-says/FGOYORUE3JG5LCVQCAKY5J7EN4/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=KIRO News |date=11 February 2020}} In 2021, Sawant would settle the ethics complaint by paying $3,516 to the city, twice the amount spent to promote the campaign.{{cite news |last1=Shapiro |first1=Nina |title=Seattle ethics panel requires Kshama Sawant to pay $3,516 for violating law |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-ethics-panel-requires-kshama-sawant-to-pay-3516-for-violating-law/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=11 May 2021}} In a written statement, Sawant stated, "So I have signed the SEEC's settlement which acknowledges fault in this matter, and will apply this interpretation of the ethics code going forward."{{cite web |last1=Sawant |first1=Kshama |title=Kshama Sawant: Why I Settled the Ethics Complaint On My Support for Tax Amazon |url=https://www.socialistalternative.org/2021/05/12/kshama-sawant-why-i-settled-the-ethics-complaint-on-my-support-for-tax-amazon/ |publisher=Socialist Alternative |access-date=29 August 2024 |date=12 May 2021}}

In a letter to the Council president on June 30, 2020, Durkan asked the City Council to investigate Sawant under its city charter authority to punish members for "disorderly or otherwise contemptuous behavior," writing that Sawant had participated in a march to her home, knowing that her address "was protected under the state confidentiality program because of threats against me due largely to my work as U.S. Attorney.{{cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/durkan-asks-seattle-city-council-to-investigate-sawant-for-contemptuous-behavior/ |title=Durkan asks Seattle City Council to investigate Sawant for 'contemptuous' behavior |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 30, 2020 |access-date=June 30, 2020 |author=Beekman, Daniel |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024707/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/durkan-asks-seattle-city-council-to-investigate-sawant-for-contemptuous-behavior/ |url-status=live }} The mayor accused Sawant and others of acting "with reckless disregard of the safety of my family and children." Additionally, Sawant led protesters into Seattle City Hall, which was closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic, on the evening of June 9, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/protests/seattle-protesters-enter-city-hall/281-35cf42b7-c634-4fef-a0df-09ade640a735|title=Seattle protesters enter City Hall calling for change and mayor's resignation|website=king5.com|date=June 10, 2020 |access-date=December 21, 2020|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024706/https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/protests/seattle-protesters-enter-city-hall/281-35cf42b7-c634-4fef-a0df-09ade640a735|url-status=live}}

Durkan also alleged that Sawant had used her council office to promote the "Tax Amazon" ballot initiative, urged protesters to occupy the East Precinct police station, and involved Socialist Alternative in her council office staffing decisions. Durkan said that she respected policy disagreements with members but that these disagreements "do not justify a council member who potentially uses their position in violation of law or who recklessly undermines the safety of others, all for political theatre." In response, Sawant accused Durkan of being the leader of a "pro-corporate political establishment" and of carrying out "an attack on working people's movements."

In July 2020, council president Lorena González declined to investigate Sawant, saying she wanted the council to focus on other work.{{cite news |last1=Beekman |first1=Daniel |title=Seattle City Council won't fulfill Mayor Durkan's request to investigate Sawant, González says |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-council-wont-fulfill-mayor-durkans-request-to-investigate-sawant-gonzalez-says/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=2 July 2020}}

Sawant has advocated the nationalization of large Washington State corporations such as Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon{{cite web |url=http://crosscut.com/2015/09/qa-councilmember-sawant-on-public-broadband-and-a-socialist-microsoft/ |title=Q&A: Councilmember Sawant on public broadband and a socialist Microsoft |first=Drew |last=Atkins |date=September 2, 2015 |publisher=Crosscut |access-date=January 27, 2016 |archive-date=October 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006112145/http://crosscut.com/2015/09/qa-councilmember-sawant-on-public-broadband-and-a-socialist-microsoft/ |url-status=live }} and expressed a desire to see privately owned housing in "Millionaire's Row" in the Capitol Hill neighborhood turned into publicly owned shared housing complex saying, "When things are exquisitely beautiful and rare, they shouldn't be privately owned."{{cite web |title=You might be a socialist if... An interview with Kshama Sawant |author=Sarah Stuteville |publisher=Seattle Globalist |date=October 30, 2012 |url= http://www.seattleglobalist.com/2012/10/30/you-might-be-a-socialist-if-an-interview-with-kshama-sawant/7721}} During an election victory rally for her City Council campaign, Sawant criticized Boeing for saying it would move jobs out of state if it could not get wage concessions and tax breaks. She called this "economic terrorism" and said in several speeches that if the company moved jobs out of state, the workers should take over its facilities and bring them into public ownership. She has said they could be converted into multiple uses, such as production for buses.{{cite web |title=Seattle City Councilmember-elect shares radical idea with Boeing workers |author=Gary Horcher |publisher=KIRO-TV |date=November 19, 2013 |url=http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/seattle-city-councilmember-elect-shares-radical-id/nbxbC/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122004252/http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/seattle-city-councilmember-elect-shares-radical-id/nbxbC/|archive-date=2013-11-22}}{{cite web |title=Longshot winner of Seattle City Council seat warns of struggle ahead |author=Chris Legeros |publisher=KIRO-TV |date=November 18, 2013 |url=http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/longshot-winner-seattle-city-council-seat-warns-st/nbwhK/ |access-date=November 18, 2013 |archive-date=November 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119194009/http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/longshot-winner-seattle-city-council-seat-warns-st/nbwhK/ |url-status=dead }} Sawant maintains that a socialist economy cannot exist in a single country and must be a global system just as capitalism today is a global system.{{cite web |url=http://www.salon.com/2013/11/18/capitalism_is_a_dirty_word_meet_the_nations_new_socialist_councilmember/ |title=Capitalism is a "dirty word": America's new socialist council member talks to Salon |author=Josh Eidelson |date=November 18, 2013 |work=Salon |access-date=November 19, 2013}}

File:Sawant-Classroom-Visit (42158553371).jpg]]

Sawant opposed the construction of the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel calling it "environmentally destructive" and "something most people were against, most environmental groups were against".

She opposed the Seattle Public Schools Measures of Academic Progress test in public schools, and supported the teachers' boycott of the standardized tests.{{cite web |title=Sawant Campaign Issues Page |publisher=votesawant.org |url=http://www.votesawant.org/issues |access-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101003534/http://www.votesawant.org/issues |url-status=dead }} Sawant has called for a revolt against student debt saying that "the laws of the rich are unenforceable if the working class refuses to obey those laws". She is an active member of the American Federation of Teachers union and has been critical of American labor union leadership, saying the leadership, "in the last 30 years has completely betrayed the working class. They are hand in glove with the Democratic Party, pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into their campaigns, and they tell rank and file workers that you have to be happy with these crumbs". Sawant believes the American Labor movement should break with the Democratic Party and run grassroots left-wing candidates.

Sawant advocates for a moratorium on deportations of undocumented immigrants from Seattle and granting unconditional citizenship for all persons currently in the United States without citizenship. She opposes the E-Verify system.

Sawant is a member of Revolutionary Workers.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-14 |title=A familiar thorn threatens to pop WA Democrats' bubble |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-democrats-are-giddy-but-a-familiar-thorn-aims-to-pop-their-bubble/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} Previously she was a member of Socialist Alternative, the United States section of the Trotskyist international organization the International Socialist Alternative, formerly the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI).{{cite web |title=Kshama Sawant Speech at Vote Sawant election night party 11/6/2012 |date=November 7, 2012 |publisher=Socialist Alternative |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Ur_4Ur-ss}}{{cite web |title=Speech: Relevance of Socialism in Seattle today |author=Socialist Alternative |date=May 18, 2013 |publisher=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3phth27dSU}}

Sawant said she rejects working with either the Democratic or the Republican party and advocates abandoning the two-party system.Matt Taylor (April 28, 2014). [https://www.vice.com/en/article/we-talked-socialist-city-councilwoman-from-seattle-about-ditching-the-two-party-system/ Is Seattle's Socialist City Council Member Going to Show Us How to Ditch the Two-Party System?] Vice. Retrieved May 1, 2014. She has called for "a movement to break the undemocratic power of big business and build a society that works for working people, not corporate profits—a democratic socialist society."[http://links.org.au/node/3592 United States: Seattle socialist Kshama Sawant defeats Democrat incumbent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024655/http://links.org.au/node/3592 |date=February 16, 2021 }}. Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal. Retrieved November 17, 2013. In 2013, Sawant urged other left-wing groups, including Greens and trade unions, "to use her campaign as a model to inspire a much broader movement".

On February 20, 2019, she published an article in Socialist Alternative backing Bernie Sanders' run for the Democratic nomination.{{cite web |url=https://www.socialistalternative.org/2019/02/20/lets-use-bernies-2020-campaign-to-launch-a-mass-working-class-fightback/|title=Let's Use Bernie's 2020 Campaign to Launch a Mass Working Class Fightback|last= Sawant|first=Kshama|date=February 20, 2019|website=Socialist Alternative|access-date=November 28, 2019 }} In 2020, she spoke at a campaign rally for him at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington.{{Citation|title=Seattle Councilwoman Kshama Sawant introducing Bernie Sanders at a rally on Monday|url=https://www.facebook.com/foxandfriends/videos/seattle-councilwoman-kshama-sawant-introducing-bernie-sanders-at-a-rally-on-mond/2422199561425041/|language=en|access-date=April 10, 2020}} She joined the Democratic Socialists of America in February 2021.{{Cite web|last=Mullen|first=Keely|date=2021-02-26|title=Why I'm Joining Democratic Socialists of America|url=https://www.socialistalternative.org/2021/02/26/why-im-joining-democratic-socialists-of-america/|access-date=2021-05-22|website=Socialist Alternative|language=en-US}}

In 2024, Kshama Sawant's organization, Workers Strike Back, endorsed Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate for the United States presidential election. The announcement occurred during the inaugural Workers Strike Back conference, where Sawant emphasized the importance of building an independent, left-wing alternative to the two-party system in the U.S. Sawant praised Stein's campaign for its anti-war stance, focus on workers' rights, and opposition to corporate influence in politics.{{cite web |title=Jill Stein Endorsed by Workers Strike Back |url=https://www.workersstrikeback.org/news/stein-endorsement |publisher=Workers Strike Back |date=2024 |access-date=November 15, 2024}}{{cite news |title=Kshama Sawant Endorses Jill Stein |url=https://www.greenpartywatch.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080712065701/http://www.greenpartywatch.org/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 12, 2008 |publisher=Green Party Watch |date=2024 |access-date=November 15, 2024}}

She has stated that it was her goal to deny Kamala Harris the state of Michigan in the 2024 US presidential election{{cite video |title=Kshama Sawant on 2024 Election Strategy |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9JaZVtm2Bc |publisher=YouTube |date=2024 |access-date=November 15, 2024 |time=0:00–2:00}}

File:Transgender Pride Day Proclamation (35403555282).jpg

Before running for office, Sawant received attention as an organizer in the local Occupy movement. She praised Occupy for putting "class," "capitalism," and "socialism" into the political debate. After Occupy Seattle protesters were removed from Westlake Park by order of Seattle Mayor Michael McGinn, Sawant helped bring them to the Capitol Hill campus of Seattle Central Community College, where they remained for two months. She joined with Occupy activists working with local organizations to resist home evictions and foreclosures, and was arrested with several Occupy activists including Dorli Rainey on July 31, 2012, for blocking King County Sheriff's deputies from evicting a man from his home.{{cite web |title=Council hopeful Sawant arrested during anti-eviction protest |author-link=Brian M. Rosenthal |first=Brian M. |last=Rosenthal |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=July 31, 2012 |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/07/31/council-hopeful-sawant-arrested-during-anti-eviction-protest/ |access-date=November 18, 2013 |archive-date=August 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818094804/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/07/31/council-hopeful-sawant-arrested-during-anti-eviction-protest/ |url-status=live }}

In 2012, the Sawant state campaign criticized the raiding of Occupy Wall Street activists' homes by the Seattle Police Department's SWAT team.{{cite web|url=http://www.socialistalternative.org/news/article10.php?id=1882 |access-date=July 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805201048/http://www.socialistalternative.org/news/article10.php?id=1882 |archive-date=August 5, 2012|title=Police Raid Occupy Seattle Activists' Apartment - Tell Seattle Mayor McGinn to stop the political repression! }}{{cite web|url=http://mynorthwest.com/11/704637/Police-conduct-raid-in-May-Day-investigation |title=Police serve warrant in May Day investigation - Local |publisher=MyNorthwest.com |date=July 10, 2012 |access-date=February 9, 2014 |last1=Kruse |first1=Brandi }} She also advocated on LGBT, women's, and people of color issues, and opposed cuts to education and other social programs.{{cite web |url=http://www.olyblog.net/student-debt-explosion-new-indentured-servitude |title=The Student Debt Explosion: The New Indentured Servitude? |publisher=OlyBlog |date=February 27, 2012 |access-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101123239/http://www.olyblog.net/student-debt-explosion-new-indentured-servitude |url-status=dead }} She gave a teach-in course at an all-night course at Seattle Central Community College.{{cite web|url=http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2011/10/30/occupy-capitol-hill-all-night-teach-in-at-seattle-central |title=Occupy Capitol Hill | All-night 'teach in' at Seattle Central | CHS Capitol Hill Seattle |publisher=Capitolhillseattle.com |date=October 30, 2011 |access-date=February 9, 2014}}

On November 19, 2014, Sawant was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct at a $15 minimum wage protest in SeaTac, Washington. She was released on $500 bail. On May 1, 2015, a SeaTac municipal court judge dismissed charges against her. The judge determined that testimony provided by police demonstrated that it was technically the police themselves, not protesters, who had blocked traffic.{{cite web |title=SeaTac judge tosses case against Kshama Sawant, 2 others |author=Daniel Beekman |date=May 2015 |publisher=Seattle Times |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seatac-judge-tosses-case-against-kshama-sawant-2-others/ |access-date=May 8, 2015 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024712/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seatac-judge-tosses-case-against-kshama-sawant-2-others/ |url-status=live }}

In a February 2017 article in the socialist magazine Jacobin, Sawant called for a "wave of protests and strikes" on May Day, including "workplace actions as well a mass peaceful civil disobedience that shuts down highways, airports, and other key infrastructure".Kshama Sawant, [https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/02/may-day-general-strike-trump-international-womens-day/ Why We Should Strike on May Day], Jacobin (February 21, 2017). Her statement was controversial: Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said that it was "unfortunate and perhaps even tragic for an elected official to encourage people to confront and engage in confrontations with the police department" and the Washington State Patrol called the writings "irresponsible" and "reckless".Steve Kiggins, [http://q13fox.com/2017/04/27/sawant-insists-may-day-march-will-be-peaceful-despite-calling-for-protesters-to-block-freeway-and-airport/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024656/https://www.q13fox.com/news/sawant-insists-may-day-march-will-be-peaceful-despite-calling-for-protesters-to-block-freeway-airport|date=February 16, 2021}}, KCPQ (April 27, 2017).

In June 2020, Sawant was criticized by the Trotskyist World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) for supposedly working "along politically harmless channels by promoting illusions in local police reform" and for promoting "the anarchistic commune" known as the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ).{{cite web |url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/06/19/seat-j19.html |title=Socialist Alternative's Kshama Sawant promotes local police reform, Democratic Party politics |publisher=World Socialist Web Site |date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=June 19, 2020 |last1=Patron |first1=Julio |last2=Costa |first2=Kayla |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627092929/https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/06/19/seat-j19.html |url-status=live }} Following a June 20 shooting in the zone that left one man dead and another critically wounded,{{cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/after-early-morning-shooting-in-chop-occupied-area-returns-to-its-new-normal/ |title=After early morning shooting in CHOP, occupied area returns to its new normal |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 20, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2020 |last1=Gutman |first1=David |last2=Kiley |first2=Brendan |last3=Furfaro |first3=Hannah |last4=Carter |first4=Mike |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621202748/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/after-early-morning-shooting-in-chop-occupied-area-returns-to-its-new-normal/ |url-status=live }} Sawant alleged that there were "indications that this may have been a right-wing attack," for which President Trump would bear "direct responsibility, since he has fomented reactionary hatred specifically against the peaceful Capitol Hill occupation"{{cite web |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/updates-on-protests-for-racial-justice-in-the-seattle-area-june-15-21 |title=Updates on protests for racial justice in the Seattle area (June 15–21) |publisher=KUOW-FM |date=June 21, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2020 |author=Oxley, Dyer}}{{cite web |url=https://council.seattle.gov/2020/06/20/statement-on-the-shooting-at-the-capitol-hill-organized-protest/ |title=Statement on the Shooting at the Capitol Hill Organized Protest |publisher=City of Seattle |date=June 20, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2020 |author=Sawant, Kshama |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024705/https://council.seattle.gov/2020/06/20/statement-on-the-shooting-at-the-capitol-hill-organized-protest/ |url-status=live }} Two days later, The Seattle Times reported, Sawant "walked back her unfounded claim that the shooting 'may have been a right-wing attack.' She now says that appears to be incorrect".{{cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-police-will-return-to-east-precinct-where-chop-has-reigned-durkan-says/ |title=Seattle will phase down CHOP at night, police will return to East Precinct, Durkan says |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2020 |last1=Gutman |first1=David |last2=Brodeur |first2=Nicole |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624150446/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-police-will-return-to-east-precinct-where-chop-has-reigned-durkan-says/ |url-status=live }}

Sawant is often reticent about her personal life and background, preferring to stick to political issues. She has said that her entire family remains in India with her mother currently residing in Bangalore. In 2009, she thanked her husband Vivek Sawant for his support in her dissertation. Kshama became a United States citizen in 2010.{{cite web |title=Richard Conlin making issue of Kshama Sawant's voter registration |author-link=Brian M. Rosenthal |first=Brian M. |last=Rosenthal |newspaper=The Seattle Times |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/10/08/richard-conlin-making-issue-of-kshama-sawants-voter-registration/ |access-date=November 16, 2013 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030019/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/10/08/richard-conlin-making-issue-of-kshama-sawants-voter-registration/ |url-status=live }} During her 2013 campaign for the Seattle City Council, she indicated that she and her husband Vivek Sawant, had been separated for nearly six years. In 2014, Sawant and Calvin Priest, a Seattle Socialist Alternative organizer, purchased a home together in the Leschi neighborhood.{{cite web |url=https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2016/08/where-is-kshama-getting-married/ |title=Where is Kshama? Getting married |publisher=Capitolhillseattle.com |date=August 16, 2016 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925220324/https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2016/08/where-is-kshama-getting-married/ |url-status=live }} In 2016, Sawant took time off to be out of the country for their wedding.

In February 2025, she was denied a visa three times by the Indian Consulate for visiting India to see her mother. Sawant naturalized as a US citizen in 2010, India does not permit dual citizenship so she forfeited her Indian citizenship which required her to apply for a visa to travel to India.{{Cite web |title=Consulate General of India, San Francisco, California : Notice regarding Dual Citizenship |url=https://www.cgisf.gov.in/page/notice-regarding-dual-citizenship/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=www.cgisf.gov.in}} She organized a sit-in by the organization Workers Strike Back, which led to a confrontation with the staff.[https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/who-is-kshama-sawant-seattle-consulate-denies-visa-to-indian-american-politician-over-modi-govts-reject-list-11738939804512.html Who is Kshama Sawant? Seattle Consulate denies visa to Indian-American politician over Modi govt’s ‘reject list’, Mint], The Indian consulate stated that "We were compelled to call in relevant local authorities to deal with the situation. Further action is being initiated against the trespassers."{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

File:2015 Seattle City Council final results.gif

{{Election box begin |title=Washington House of Representatives, District 43b, General Election, 2012{{cite web|title=Washington House of Representatives elections, 2012|url=http://ballotpedia.org/Washington_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2012|publisher=Ballotpedia|access-date=April 15, 2014|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024708/https://ballotpedia.org/Washington_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2012|url-status=live}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Frank Chopp

|votes = 49,125

|percentage = 70.6%

|change =-16.2%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Socialist Alternative (United States)|Socialist Alternative

|candidate = Kshama Sawant

|votes = 20,425

|percentage = 29.4%

|change =N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 28,700

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 69,550

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=City of Seattle, City Council, Position 2, 2013{{cite web|title=Election Results|url=http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2013nov-general/results/final/results.pdf|access-date=April 15, 2014|author=King County|page=46|date=November 26, 2013|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216024626/https://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2013nov-general/results/final/results.pdf|url-status=live}}}}

{{Election box candidate

|party = Nonpartisan

|candidate = Kshama Sawant

|votes = 93,682

|percentage = 50.7%

|change =N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate

| candidate = Richard Conlin

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| votes = 90,531

| percentage = 49.0%

|change =-28.3%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

| candidate = Write-ins

| party =

| votes = 665

| percentage = 0.4%

|change =nil

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 3,151

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 184,878

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=City of Seattle, City Council, District 3, 2015{{cite web|title=Election Results|url=http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2015/nov-general/results/results.pdf|access-date=December 11, 2015|author=King County|page=45|date=November 24, 2015|archive-date=December 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216061916/http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2015/nov-general/results/results.pdf|url-status=live}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Kshama Sawant

|votes = 17,170

|percentage = 56.0%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Pamela Banks

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| votes = 13,427

| percentage = 43.8%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Write-ins

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| votes = 87

| percentage = 0.3%

}}

{{Election box majority no change

|votes = 3,743

|percentage =

}}

{{Election box turnout no change

|votes = 31,613

|percentage =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=City of Seattle, City Council, District 3, 2019{{cite web|title=Election Results|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/current/king/|date=November 8, 2019|access-date=November 9, 2019|archive-date=November 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129001734/https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/current/king/|url-status=live}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Kshama Sawant

|votes = 22,263

|percentage = 51.8%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Egan Orion

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| votes = 20,488

| percentage = 47.7%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Write-ins

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| votes = 205

| percentage = 0.5%

}}

{{Election box majority no change

|votes = 1,775

|percentage =

}}

{{Election box turnout no change

|votes = 42,956

|percentage =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=December 7, 2021 Recall Election of Kshama Sawant{{cite web |title=Election Results |url=https://aqua.kingcounty.gov/elections/2021/dec-recall/results.pdf |publisher=King County Elections |access-date=29 August 2024 |date=12 December 2021}} }}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = NO

|votes = 20,656

|percentage = 50.38%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = YES

| party = Nonpartisan politician

| votes = 20,346

| percentage = 49.62%

}}

{{Election box majority no change

|votes = 310

|percentage =

}}

{{Election box turnout no change

|votes = 41,033

|percentage = 52.9

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist|30em}}

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{{Wikiquote}}

• [http://www.seattle.gov/council/sawant/ Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council Position 2] at Seattle.gov
• [https://www.kshamasolidarity.org/ Kshama Solidarity Campaign] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203818/https://www.kshamasolidarity.org/ |date=June 24, 2021 }}
• [http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/140164/kshama-sawant Entry at VoteSmart]
• [http://www.socialistalternative.org Socialist Alternative]
• [http://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/candidatesonballot/pamphlet/pamphlet.aspx?cid=47610&listtype=FILING&eid=1258#c22844 King County voters' pamphlet] November 5, 2013 General And Special Election, Seattle, Council Position No. 2
• [http://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/candidatesonballot/pamphlet/pamphlet.aspx?cid=53501&listtype=PRIMARY&eid=1265#c26162 King County voters' pamphlet] August 4, 2015 Primary And Special Election, Seattle, Council District No. 3
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20190524215948/https://www.kshamasawant.org/meet Meet Kshama] Biography from 2019 website

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sawant, Kshama}}

Category:1973 births

Category:21st-century American economists

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:Far-left politicians in the United States

Category:American people of Marathi descent

Category:American politicians of Indian descent

Category:American socialist feminists

Category:American women economists

Category:Asian-American people in Washington (state) politics

Category:Candidates in the 2012 United States elections

Category:Economists from Washington (state)

Category:Indian emigrants to the United States

Category:International Socialist Alternative

Category:Living people

Category:Left-wing populists

Category:Members of the Democratic Socialists of America from Washington (state)

Category:North Carolina State University alumni

Category:Politicians from Pune

Category:Seattle City Council members

Category:Seattle University faculty

Category:University of Mumbai alumni

Category:Washington (state) socialists

Category:Women city councillors in Washington (state)

Category:Socialist economists