Former Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant Launches Independent Congressional Bid

Former Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant has announced an independent bid for Washington’s 9th Congressional District in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. While running as an independent, Sawant is affiliated with Revolutionary Workers.

Sawant declared her candidacy this past Monday outside the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle. According to local Washington media, Sawant launched a “working-class, antiwar, anti-genocide” campaign, focusing on policies such as a $25 minimum wage, universal health care, and ending U.S. military aid to Israel. Her Statement of Organization filed with the Federal Election Commission confirms her status as an independent candidate.

Sawant served on the Seattle City Council from 2013 to 2023 and survived a recall effort in 2021. Although council races are officially nonpartisan, she was openly associated with Socialist Alternative at the time of her initial election, which is a revolutionary Trotskyist organization advocating for a worker-led, democratically planned economy.

In 2023, Sawant announced she would not seek re-election to the council and instead launched a national labor movement called Workers Strike Back. Following purported internal disagreements with Socialist Alternative regarding the control and direction of Workers Strike Back and whether it should function as an independent mass organization or remain under party leadership, Sawant broke from Socialist Alternative in early 2024. She later co-founded Revolutionary Workers, which remains her current political affiliation.

Beyond Sawant, several other candidates have declared or filed paperwork with the FEC for the same seat. This includes incumbent Democratic Congressman Adam Smith, who is actively fundraising. Smith has held the seat since first being elected in 1996. Local reporting also suggests that progressive Democrats may be considering a challenger apart from Sawant’s independent effort, though no such candidate has officially entered the race.

All candidates who qualify will appear on the district’s blanket primary ballot scheduled for August 4, 2026. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will advance to the general election on November 3.

With thanks to readers Darryl Perry and Joshua Fauver for the information.