Jesus’s platform centers on two flagship priorities—public safety and economic development—while addressing housing affordability, climate action, and equity. Each policy is designed with clear goals and success metrics, ensuring accountability to the people of Tacoma. Below is the comprehensive platform, focusing on bold solutions that deliver real results for the community.
Jesus’s platform centers on two flagship priorities—public safety and economic development—while addressing housing affordability, climate action, and equity. Each policy is designed with clear goals and success metrics, ensuring accountability to the people of Tacoma. Below is the comprehensive platform, focusing on bold solutions that deliver real results for the community.
Tacoma residents deserve to feel safe in their homes and public spaces. Today, Tacoma faces serious public safety challenges – crime rates have been significantly above national averages (areavibes.comareavibes.com) – but there are promising signs that smart strategies can make a difference. In 2022, the city suffered a record 45 homicides (fox13seattle.com), but by late 2023, a new data-driven approach led to a 17% year-to-date drop in violent crime (fox13seattle.com). Building on this momentum, Jesus will pursue a comprehensive, outcomes-focused public safety plan
Tacoma’s economy must work for everyone – from the small business owner on Hilltop to the tech startup in downtown to the longshore worker at the port. It has tremendous assets (a deep-water port, talented workforce, affordable space) but needs bold leadership to spur inclusive growth. Jesus’s economic development plan is focused on growth with equity: attracting new investments and jobs while lifting local businesses and workers. Key elements include:
The cost of housing in Tacoma has skyrocketed in recent years, putting strain on working families and contributing to a growing homelessness crisis. The median home value in the city is around $454,000, and rents have risen steadily. At the same time, the January 2024 point-in-time count found 2,661 people experiencing homelessness in Pierce County (a 23% increase over the previous year). Jesus believes housing is a human right – Tacoma must take bold action to ensure everyone has a safe, affordable place to live. The housing platform will deliver both immediate relief and long-term solutions:
Tacoma’s future prosperity must go together with environmental sustainability. As a port city with an industrial legacy, Tacoma has faced its share of environmental challenges – from air pollution in the Tide flats to the impacts of climate change on our shoreline. Jesus recognizes that we are responsible for dramatically cutting greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our natural surroundings, all while creating green jobs and ensuring environmental justice. The City Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in 2019 set ambitious goals, and the 2030 Climate Action Plan outlines a path to carbon reduction and resilience. Jesus’s climate agenda will ensure Tacoma meets those targets through bold action:
Central to Jesus’s platform is a commitment to equity and social justice. Tacoma is a diverse city of ~225,000 people, with a rich tapestry of racial, ethnic, and cultural communities – approximately 11.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Black, 8.8% Asian, 1.7% Native American, and more. Yet disparities persist in income, housing, education, and health. A progressive agenda must close these gaps so that zip code, race, gender, or background do not limit one’s opportunities. Jesus will ensure that every policy in this platform is implemented with an equity lens, and introduce specific initiatives to uplift marginalized communities:
