EVERETT — Two candidates have announced their candidacy for the District 2 City Council seat: Incumbent councilmember Paula Rhyne is running for re-election and Ryan Crowther is running for the first time.
The council district boundaries are in central-east Everett, including most of the Port Gardner, Pinehurst-Beverly and South Forest Park neighborhoods and all of Lowell and Valley View.
Rhyne said she is running because there is more work to be done. That involves working on housing affordability and public safety.
Crowther said he is running because he believes Everett can do better. There are major challenges in Everett and residents deserve to feel safe. In a phone interview, Crowther said he wants to work collectively to enhance Everett and “bring a new voice.”
Rhyne said if elected for a second term, she wants to focus on public safety and fiscal responsibility. She wants to fix the budget so the city can work on other things.
There are goals that Crowther would like to achieve if elected. First, he wants to address public safety.
He hears complaints from citizens and businesses about “the impacts of crime and homelessness” has had on them. Secondly, he wants to restore civility back into the City Council.” Crowther wants to create “a more productive and respectful environment,” he said.
As a council member, Rhyne helped implement the Flock Safety Camera System used to alert police of wanted criminals in city limits by their car’s license plate. Her press release states she “supported federal funding for Alternative Response Teams” which help with mental health emergencies.
She described one of her proudest accomplishments so far is combating wage theft through an ordinance she introduced. Anyone who commits wage theft “won’t have a seat at the bargaining table,” Rhyne said.
Previously, contractors who committed wage theft were banned from receiving contracts from the city for three years. That ban was increased to five years which Rhyne played a significant role in.
Crowther is the President and CEO of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, and he helped co-found the Everett Music Initiative, which “produced 500 events in Everett since 2012,” he said.
Rhyne is the legislative aide for County Councilwoman Megan Dunn. She holds a masters in public policy.
For Crowther, public safety is a priority because the city is in a strong position. He said Everett has a “thriving business community.”
In a press release announcing her candidacy for a second term, Rhyne writes that “community safety is a top priority” for her. Rhyne said she wants residents to feel safe in Everett.
In Everett, there have been broken windows, stolen cars, and other instances of violence. There was a stabbing at Lions Park in December 2024.
Crowther has been an active Everett resident. He sat on advisory boards such as the Everett Public Schools Career and Technical Education board and Public Facilities District. Experiences like this “have helped me understand the challenges our community faces and how to work together to find solutions,” he said.
The official candidate filing period is in May.
