Here’s a roundup of candidate forums in Tacoma before November’s election
As the November election approaches, Tacoma gets one step closer to electing five new members to its City Council.
The 2025 general election has the potential to change the character of Tacoma’s nine-member council. The council in 2026 will also be tasked with hiring a new city manager and permanent police chief – high-paying roles that wield significant power.
Current District 1 council member John Hines is running against former District 1 council member Anders Ibsen for mayor. The race for the council’s at-large Position 6 features Jessica Johnston and Latasha Palmer. Incumbent Sarah Rumbaugh is running against Ben Lackey for the District 2 seat. Incumbent Sandesh Sadalge is running against Silong Chhun for city council District 4, and incumbent Joe Bushnell is running against Zev Cook in District 5.
Ahead of the election, various community groups and neighborhood councils are hosting forums and debates. If you’re looking for a chance to meet the candidates and learn more about their stances on the issues, here’s a roundup of some of the upcoming forums:
Tacoma Rising and the Tacoma Business Council
The two groups are hosting an in-person debate for candidates running for mayor and at-large Position 6. The event will take place on Oct. 8 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln High School, 701 S. 37th St. Tickets are available for $20 and will include refreshments. Interested attendees can register on Eventbrite.
Allen AME Church
On Saturday, Sept. 27 at 11 a.m., Allen AME Church at 1223 Martin Luther King Jr. Way will host a candidate forum for mayoral candidates. The forum marks the oldest historically African-American congregation in Tacoma’s first mayoral debate in its history, according to a release from the church.
The News Tribune
The News Tribune’s opinion editor, Laura Hautala, will moderate a candidate forum for the two mayoral candidates. The event will take place on Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at 950 Broadway, Suite M100. Interested attendees can register for the event on Eventbrite.
Central Tacoma Neighborhood Council
The Central Tacoma Neighborhood Council is hosting a candidate forum for Latasha Palmer and Jessica Johnston, the two candidates running for at-large Position 6 on Tacoma’s City Council. The event will take place during the group’s regular meeting on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Tacoma Nature Center at 1919 S. Tyler St. Attendees can also tune in to the forum on Zoom using the link on the group’s website. The Central Tacoma Neighborhood Council also held a forum for mayoral candidates Anders Ibsen and John Hines in early September, and interested voters can watch the recording online.
North End Neighborhood Council
The North End Neighborhood Council will host a forum that will include candidates running for mayor, city council District 2 and at-large Position 6. The event will take place on Monday, Oct. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the University of Puget Sound’s Welcome Center at 3211 N. 15th St.
Northeast Tacoma Neighborhood Council
The Northeast Tacoma Neighborhood Council is planning to host a candidate forum on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Browns Point Improvement Club, located at 201 Ton-A-Wan-Da Avenue Northeast. For more information visit netnc.org.
South Tacoma Neighborhood Council
The South Tacoma Neighborhood Council is hosting a candidate forum on Oct. 23 at the STAR Center, 3873 S. 66th St., according to its website. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the forum starting at 6 p.m. Snacks and childcare will be provided.
If your community group or neighborhood council is hosting a candidate forum and would like to see it included in this list, email itrivedi@thenewstribune.com with the details.
This story was originally published September 27, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
