It’s Ibsen v. Hines for Tacoma mayor. Here’s a Q&A with the candidates

This is a unique election year. Though Tacomans won’t be voting to elect the next president, they will be voting in four City Council elections and a mayor’s race, choosing leaders who will take control in January as the city undergoes immense transition.

With an interim city manager and interim police chief now in place, the new council will be involved in the process of hiring individuals to fill two jobs with high salaries and lots of eyes on them.

Then there’s the mayor’s race, which is down to current District 1 council member John Hines and former District 1 council member Anders Ibsen. It is the eighth most expensive race in the state this year, according to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.

In their private lives, Ibsen is a realtor and managing broker at Windermere Professional Partners, a real estate brokerage, and Hines is an instructional facilitator for academic acceleration for Tacoma Public Schools.

Hines has a list of endorsements that includes five members of the current City Council, including outgoing Mayor Victoria Woodards, as well as the Rental Housing Association of Washington and the Tacoma Pierce County Association of Realtors. Ibsen lists 20 union endorsements on his website to Hines’ six, and endorsements from Pierce County council member Bryan Yambe and organizations like the Pierce County Democrats.

The News Tribune sent all candidates for City Council and mayor the same 10 questions to respond to in the same time frame. Hines and Ibsen have a lot in common: They have both represented District 1, and they ran against each other in 2015. Hines at the time received the endorsement from seven council members, including the mayor, but Ibsen ultimately won by a single-digit margin and held the seat.

Here are the responses they sent to The News Tribune:

What’s your full name and age?

Anders Ibsen, 39

John Hines, 42

How long have you lived in Tacoma?

Hines: 42 years

Ibsen: I’ve lived in Tacoma my entire life.

What is your favorite restaurant in Tacoma?

Ibsen: Probably Cooks Tavern.

Hines: Katie Downs

Why do you want to be mayor/city council member?

Hines: I am running for Mayor because I love Tacoma and I know it can be so much more. I was born and raised here, and this city has given me so much: a place to grow up, build a career and raise my family. But I also see the challenges we face, around public safety, housing, homelessness and trust in government, and I believe Tacoma needs a leader who is ready to meet this moment.

I’ve dedicated my life to public service. From my years as a teacher and coach, to my work in our schools, to my service on the city council, I’ve always focused on helping people succeed and making systems work better. On the council, I’ve taken on tough issues, expanding housing options, strengthening public safety, addressing homelessness and improving core city services. I know how to build coalitions, listen to different perspectives and turn good ideas into action.

What Tacoma needs now is steady, competent leadership, someone who can bring people together, stay focused on what we can control and deliver real results. I want to restore trust in city government by showing that it can work for everyone, not just a few. That means being honest about our challenges, creative in finding solutions and committed to working with neighbors, businesses, labor and community groups alike.

Tacoma has always been a great place to live. My vision is for it to be even better — a city that is safer, more affordable and more vibrant, where people feel proud to live, work and raise a family. That’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to the Mayor’s office.

Ibsen: Tacoma is where I was born and raised, and now it’s where I’m raising my son. Tacoma has given me so much, and I feel a deep responsibility to give back by helping our city live up to its full promise.

Right now, too many families are being priced out of their neighborhoods, too many people don’t feel safe walking down their own street and too many feel disconnected from our local government and city hall. These challenges are real, but they’re not unsolvable. Tacoma needs a mayor who will listen, build partnerships and deliver results — not just quick fixes or empty words.

I plan to restore trust in city hall by opening its doors to the community and putting our people first. I’ll focus on making housing affordable, supporting first responders and prevention strategies to strengthen public safety, and fixing dangerous intersections so our streets are safe for everyone.

If elected, what issues would be your top priority?

Ibsen: My top priorities as Mayor are public safety, housing affordability, homelessness and expanding opportunity.

Every family deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood. I’ll support first responders, invest in community-based crisis response and ensure accountability for violent crime — while also addressing root causes through prevention, community and economic development, and better coordination.

Housing is essential and too many families are being priced out of Tacoma. I’ll push the city to use public land for affordable housing, protect older homes from demolition through adaptive re-use and speed up permits so good projects don’t get stuck in red tape. I’ll work to expand ADUs, convert underused commercial buildings and support first-time homebuyers. We need more housing of all kinds — especially homes that working families can actually afford.

Homelessness requires both compassion and follow-through. We need more shelter space, stronger mental health support and regional cooperation. But we also need clear expectations so public spaces remain safe and accessible.

Finally, I believe Tacoma must be a city of opportunity — for workers, families and small businesses. That means investing in infrastructure, being responsive to neighborhoods and restoring trust in City Hall. The people of Tacoma deserve a Mayor who shows up, listens and leads—and that’s exactly what I plan to do.

Hines: My top priority as Mayor will be community safety. When I talk with residents, the concern I hear most often is simple: People want to feel safe, whether in their homes, in their neighborhoods and in their daily lives. That sense of safety is the foundation for everything else we want to achieve in Tacoma.

For me, safety isn’t just about police and fire, though those remain essential. It’s also about the broader systems and investments that give people confidence in their community. That means continuing to strengthen our police and fire departments, while also expanding alternative response models we’ve launched, like community service officers and outreach teams, to ensure people in crisis get the right kind of help.

It also means tackling the basics that make neighborhoods feel safe and welcoming: slowing down traffic, investing in sidewalks, keeping our streets clean and addressing litter, graffiti and blight in our business districts. And it means building more shelter and housing so that fewer people are left unsheltered, and ensuring public spaces are open and accessible for everyone.

As mayor, the question I will keep asking, of myself, my team and the community, is this: Do you feel safer in Tacoma today than you did before? That will be the measure of success. We’ve made important progress in recent years, but there is much more to do. My commitment is to lead with focus and urgency, so that at the end of my first term, people across Tacoma can say with confidence that they feel safer, more secure and more hopeful about their city.

Tacoma’s 311 line has received hundreds of thousands of inquiries since its genesis over 10 years ago. Today, it receives inquiries that largely fall in the following categories: abandoned vehicles on the street, people living on public property in a motorhome or vehicle and illegal dumping on public property. What would be your plan to address those issues?

Hines: Tacoma’s 311 calls highlight three major concerns, abandoned vehicles, people living in RVs or cars and illegal dumping, and, while these issues may seem different, they all reflect a deeper challenge: unsheltered homelessness and the strain it places on our neighborhoods, streets and public spaces.

Addressing them requires a balanced, practical approach. First, we must reduce the number of people living on our streets by expanding housing, shelter and treatment options. That means continuing to build more housing at all income levels, partnering with nonprofits and service providers to create emergency and transitional shelters and taking a regional approach so that Tacoma isn’t bearing this challenge alone.

Second, we need clear rules and consistent enforcement. Public spaces must remain safe and accessible for everyone. That means we cannot allow sidewalks, parks, and neighborhoods to be overwhelmed by abandoned vehicles or unmanaged encampments. At the same time, enforcement only works if we have real alternatives to offer people, which is why housing and shelter must be part of the solution.

Finally, we need to keep our city clean. As a council member, I helped launch “Tidy Up Tacoma” to tackle litter, trash, graffiti and illegal dumping. These efforts matter, not just for appearance, but because clean, well-maintained spaces make people feel safe and proud of their community.

As mayor, my guiding question will be: Do people feel safer and more secure in Tacoma than they did before? Reducing 311 complaints about abandoned vehicles, encampments and dumping will be a clear measure of success, and I am committed to continuing this work until Tacoma’s neighborhoods are safe, clean and welcoming for everyone.

Ibsen: Above all: an ethic of urgency and common sense.

For abandoned vehicles, the city must respond faster. That means cutting red tape, improving coordination across departments and making sure residents aren’t waiting weeks for a simple tow. Clear timelines and accountability will restore trust that the city is listening and acting.

For people living in vehicles, this is a homelessness issue as much as a code issue. My plan is to expand shelter space, create safe parking programs with access to services and help people move into stable housing. At the same time, public property can’t become a long-term campground. We need compassion, but we also need clear rules that protect neighborhoods.

On illegal dumping, we must crack down on repeat offenders while also making disposal easier for everyone. Expanding community clean-up programs, improving lighting in problem areas and holding bad actors accountable will go a long way.

Tacoma deserves safe, clean neighborhoods. By combining accountability with compassion, we can finally make progress on the problems that residents call 311 about most.

Are you in favor or against the workers bill of rights?

Ibsen: Every worker deserves fair pay, safe conditions and a voice on the job. Strong workplace protections lift up families, strengthen our economy and ensure people can live with dignity. When I was on the city council, I helped lead the charge to raise Tacoma’s minimum wage — a policy that later shaped the state’s minimum wage law.

Measure 2 isn’t perfect, and my preference would have been for a thoughtful council-led process that provides for the needs of working families while also accounting for the realities facing local businesses in the current economic climate. But in the absence of the city government actually stepping up to face the challenge, Tacoma’s working people had no choice but to bring this directly for a vote on the ballot.

I am a small business owner myself. I have gone months without paying myself anything in order to keep my people on the payroll. The reality of running a business with tight margins is not lost on me. At the same time, having thousands of Tacoma households living paycheck-to-paycheck and spending up to half their monthly income on the rent is completely unsustainable, and is not the basis for a strong economy. Whatever happens with February’s special election, I vow to approach this and any other issue in a matter that is fair, evidence-based, and grounded in the needs of all Tacomans.

Hines: I believe strongly in fair wages, predictable schedules and safe workplaces. Every worker deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Due to the ongoing litigation, I am unable to comment further on this.

Do you believe the workers bill of rights belongs on the November ballot this year?

Hines: Due to the ongoing litigation, I am unable to provide comment on this.

Ibsen: Regardless of whether you support or oppose the Workers Bill of Rights, it should have been on the November ballot. Instead, the City Council dragged its feet and failed to act before the deadline. That’s not leadership — that’s avoidance and playing politics. Working families deserve better than excuses and delays from City Hall. This is exactly why Tacoma needs a Mayor who won’t shy away from hard decisions but will stand up and deliver for the people who keep our city moving.

If elected, what specific actions would you take to address the following issues: housing and homelessness, Tacoma’s budget deficit and public safety.

Ibsen: On housing and homelessness, we need compassion and accountability. At the same time, we must expand shelter space, strengthen mental health services and build regional partnerships and coordinate with neighboring cities and the Puyallup Tribe. This crisis is a regional issue and requires a regional solution.

On the budget, Tacoma has to get back to basics. We need to prioritize core services, hold departments accountable for efficiency and use taxpayer dollars responsibly. When funds are spent where they’re truly needed and the process is transparent, THAT is how we begin to rebuild public trust in city hall.

On public safety, people deserve to feel secure in their homes, businesses and neighborhoods. I’ll fully support first responders, expand crisis response where it works, and invest in prevention — like strengthening youth programs and outreach — all while holding violent offenders accountable.

Tacoma can rise to meet these challenges with clear priorities and steady leadership.

Hines: Addressing housing, homelessness, the budget and public safety will be my top priorities as mayor, because they are the issues that most directly affect quality of life in Tacoma.

On housing and homelessness, we need a full-spectrum approach. That means building more housing at all income levels, with a focus on affordable units; expanding and maintaining diverse shelter options so people have real pathways out of homelessness; and investing in prevention strategies like rental assistance and mental health support to keep people from losing their housing in the first place. Housing is the foundation for stability, and we need to attack the problem from every angle.

On Tacoma’s budget deficit, the most sustainable path forward is growth. By attracting new businesses and residents, we can expand our tax base without placing additional burdens on those already here. At the same time, we need to evaluate the services the City provides, look for efficiencies and strengthen partnerships with other local governments and community organizations to ensure we are delivering services in the most effective way possible.

On public safety, we must continue to fully staff and support our Police and Fire Departments, while also investing in alternative response models that better serve people in crisis. Safety also means tackling root causes: slowing traffic, fixing sidewalks, adding streetlights and keeping neighborhoods clean. Real safety comes from both strong public safety agencies and strong, connected communities.

At the core of all three issues is collaboration. We will only succeed if we work with community members, nonprofits, and other governments. As mayor, that’s the approach I will take to deliver results for Tacoma.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Hines: Tacoma is at a crossroads. We have incredible potential to become a stronger, safer, more vibrant city, but we are also in a time of uncertainty and frustration. Many residents are dissatisfied with the status quo, and I want to be clear: I am not here to defend it. I share those frustrations, and over the past five years on the city council I’ve worked hard to confront them and push for change.

As Mayor, I will be ready on day one to lead the council and work with the city manager to deliver real results. I know the challenges we face, and I also know what progress is possible. I’ve already taken tough votes, led on difficult issues and shown the courage to push for solutions even when they weren’t popular. That’s the kind of leadership Tacoma needs now.

A lot of candidates will make promises about what they think they can do. I can point to what I have already done: expanding housing options, addressing homelessness, improving city services and investing in safer streets. Even people who may not always agree with me will acknowledge that I’ve been a leader on the council, someone willing to step forward and take responsibility.

I believe deeply in Tacoma and in its people. Together, we can break out of old patterns, try new approaches and move our city forward. I am hopeful about what we can accomplish, and I am ready to lead Tacoma into the future we all want it to be.

Ibsen: This campaign is about rebuilding public trust and electing proven leadership that will get the job done. I’m honored to have earned the support of organizations like the Tacoma Education Association, Pierce County Central Labor Council, Washington Conservation Action and many Labor and neighborhood groups who’ve stood with me throughout this race. I’m also proud to be endorsed by elected leaders such as Senators Yasmin Trudeau and T’wina Nobles, Representative Sharlett Mena, County Councilmember Jani Hitchen, and many others — people who know Tacoma well and believe in the work we can do together.

These endorsements reflect the kind of leadership I bring: collaborative, accountable and focused on results. I’ve built my career on listening to people, bringing voices to the table and following through on tough decisions. That’s how I helped pass paid sick leave, fought for affordable housing and stood up for working families during my time on the City Council.

I’ll lead with that same approach. I’ll listen first, act with integrity and put real people at the center of every decision.

Tacoma’s challenges are serious, but with steady leadership, broad community partnerships and a commitment to fairness, I know we can build a safer, more affordable and more hopeful city.

This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM.

Isha Trivedi

The News Tribune

Isha Trivedi covers Tacoma city hall, Pierce County government and education for The News Tribune. She has previously worked at The Mercury News, the Palo Alto Weekly, the Chronicle of Higher Education and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. She grew up in San Jose, California and graduated with a bachelor of arts in journalism and anthropology from the George Washington University. She is a proud alumna of The GW Hatchet, her alma mater’s independent student newspaper, and has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for her work with the publication.