EVERETT—Niko Battle, who is running for Everett City Council Position 4, believes he is one who has a deep understanding of government, politics, and what it takes to make positive change happen.
“I’ve talked to so many people in the district who feel that we’ve been neglected, feel as though our community hasn’t been heard in City Hall, and feel that the resources that have been distributed from the city haven’t been distributed fairly,” said Battle. “That’s my history, as a champion, as an advocate, someone who when I latch onto a fight, I’m not going to let it go if it’s something I believe is right. And I’ve proven to form coalitions even with those who don’t always agree with me, to be able to accomplish good for our community.”
Some of Battle’s accomplishments include helping pass ballot initiatives, namely gun reform legislation.
One of Battle’s first forays into gun violence prevention was when he was a freshman at Mariner High School, around the time that a 13-year-old shot and killed a 15-year-old across the street. That incident, paired with his father’s experience working as a Juvenile Parol Officer, inspired him and encouraged him to not remain silent on youth violence.
As an intern for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility he advocated for ballot Initiative 1491, which authorized courts to issue “extreme risk protection orders,” which prevent a person from possessing or accessing firearms, in 2016.
Battle emphasized that he is pro second amendment and is not advocating for “gun control” but “gun responsibility,” ensuring legislation is in place for responsible gun ownership.
“You look at things like the Regional Domestic Violence Firearms Enforcement unit in King County and the work they’ve been able to do, and I look here, in our own city and our own county, and we don’t have a similar enforcement mechanism,” said Battle. “It’s because there’s not the political will of people championing for public safety, particularly the safety of the people in my district, and if no other leaders are going to do it then it’s time for me to step up.”
Battle’s approach to public safety is what he considers to be “truly holistic.” In other words, it’s not all about preventing gun violence; it’s also about walkable streets, protected bike lanes, and working with law enforcement to fill the 90 vacancies in its police department. Filling those vacancies, Battle said, begins with community policing initiatives – making sure those who are becoming police officers are coming from the communities they serve.
“There’s no reason why there should be an adversarial relationship between what some term ‘at risk youth’ and our police officers. I think this represents a giant, missed opportunity to build relationships among lines of difference and to provide opportunity towards good paying union jobs in our community—by working with youths that otherwise might fall into the hands of gangs,” said Battle. “It’s not about increasing vigilance, it’s about working to ensure our police represent this community, and look like the community that they serve, and are from the community that they serve.”
As growth rapidly approaches the region, Battle believes it’s important to stay true to the more than 100 years of history that went into developing Everett’s unique, and beautiful, character. With light rail entering the city in the next decade Battle believes that every decision being made now is done with “intentionality” and is done in a way that ensures development without displacement, and public safety without over policing.
By engaging, and listening, to his community stakeholders, who are already doing the work to prepare for growth, Battle plans to have the political will to plan for the needed 40,000 housing units Everett needs by 2050 – 14,000 of which need to be affordable and seize the opportunity of growth to expand the City’s taxbase by attracting small businesses.
One of the things that Battle is most exciting about Everett’s current Comprehensive Plan, for example, is its allowance of more street-side commercial developments, which he believes will assist in District 4’s walkability and overall economic development.
As an entrepreneur himself, as a Debate/Educational Consultant and starting his own business (Impact Consulting) which consults local businesses and nonprofits, Battle knows firsthand how time consuming it can be to get proper licenses when a business owner is just trying to offer services to their community; He hopes to streamline this.
Through his consulting business, as well as serving as a board member for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility where he managed a multimillion-dollar annual budget, Battle believes his experiences have helped prepare him to guide Everett’s $644 million budget to help dig it out of its $12.6 million deficit without resorting to more taxes.
The theme of Battle’s campaign is “listen, learn, and engage” which he often repeats to himself. To Battle, government transparency starts with showing up, listening, and making sure that when you’re listening, you’re not just listening to listen, but to engage and learn.
“Often times, even if we think we have a significant disagreement with someone, if we take the time to connect with someone on the level of their values, we can mitigate those disagreements. We can find common ground and we can work with that common ground to work towards policies that are going to create a better future for all the people of Everett,” said Battle. “At the same time that doesn’t mean I’m someone willing to be steamrolled. I will stand my ground for what I believe is right for the people of my district.”
Battle grew up in South Everett though he has lived throughout the U.S., and even in Germany as a volunteer educator. After high school he graduated from Wake Forest University with a double major in Communications and Politics.
Battle has worked for the campaigns of former Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson, former County Prosecutor Adam Cornell, and Mukilteo Councilwoman Sarah Kneller. He was also the youngest person elected to serve on the Democratic State Central Committee – at 17-years-old!
He is endorsed by County Councilman and WA State Rep Strom Peterson, County Councilwoman Megan Dunn, State Rep Brandy Donaghy, and Everett City Council members Paula Rhyne and Liz Vogeli, who currently holds the Position 4 seat.
When he’s not engaging in public service, pursuing entrepreneurship, and advocating for policies he believes in, he loves to hike, and is a state debate champion.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
