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Kevin Nichols

@kevinnichols.org
162 followers 183 following 221 posts

Issaquah City Councilmember. PhD scientist and data nerd who e-bikes to meetings to try and build a more affordable future. Previously: COVID tests, global health, bubble physics. Personal account.

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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 03/10/2026
If you build it, they will come. When you give people good bike infrastructure, they use it. Thrilled to see an overflowing bike valet parking lot at Salmon Days today (thank you city staff).
Overflowing bike valet parking lot at salmon days in Issaquah
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 29/09/2026
What could be better than Issaquah's Salmon Days? Free valet *bike parking*! Why swim upstream with 200,000 other visitors? For the first time, you can drop your bike at the Bike Valet, have it watched, and ride home. No parking fees, no trek from a distant lot. Sammy the Salmon approves. Map below!
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 23/09/2026
Proud of Issaquah. Every speaker at last night's public hearing opposed I-1 (kids' counseling records) and I-638 (girls' sports sex checks). Council voted 7-0 in opposition. One said: "I don't want to have to prove to anyone that I'm a woman because it's none of their business." Vote no on both.
Issaquah residents speak out against I-1 and I-638
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 15/09/2026
Or this version, which replaces the LD number labels (which basically nobody knows) with the number of people in their district estimated to pay the tax as the number shown
Map of the estimated number of resident Millionaires Tax payers in each Washington legislative district, using the current 2024 district boundaries. Each district is shaded from white (0) to dark green (2,700) and labeled with its payer count. The left side shows the whole state. The right side is a close-up of central Puget Sound, with cities, water and freeways labeled.

The highest counts are on the Eastside and in Seattle: 2,660 (Mercer Island, Sammamish), 2,371 (Bellevue, Redmond), 2,004 (Redmond, Kirkland), 1,502 (Capitol Hill, U District) and 1,260 (Ballard, Queen Anne). Next are 788 (Green Lake, Lake City), 692 (Issaquah, Enumclaw) and 576 (Bothell, Woodinville).

Outside those, most districts have a few hundred payers or fewer. That includes Spokane (211 and 143), Tacoma (209), Vancouver (192), Everett (87) and Federal Way (80). Some rural districts are lower still: 52 (Graham, Eatonville), 61 (Longview, Aberdeen) and 71 (Wenatchee, Colville). The Yakima–Pasco and Parkland–Spanaway districts are marked N/A because their samples are too small to release.

Data: WA Department of Revenue, May 2026, via WA State Budget and Policy Center.
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 15/09/2026
Fixed the map with correct LD boundaries after the most recent redistricting, and more detail in the Seattle area where most of the people paying this are (I couldn't help myself, too much of a map nerd).
Estimated number of resident Millionaires Tax payers by legislative district. The map is shaded from white (0) to dark green (2,700) and uses the current 2024 district boundaries. The left side shows the whole state. The right side is a close-up of central Puget Sound, with cities, water and freeways labeled.

The dark green districts are all on the Eastside and in Seattle: LD 41 (Mercer Island, Sammamish) 2,660; LD 48 (Bellevue, Redmond) 2,371; LD 45 (Redmond, Kirkland) 2,004; LD 43 (Capitol Hill, U District) 1,502; LD 36 (Ballard, Queen Anne) 1,260. Next are LD 46 (788), LD 5 (692) and LD 1 (576).

Nearly every other district is very pale, with a few hundred payers or fewer. Several have under 100: LD 2 (52), LD 19 (61), LD 7 (71), LD 30 (80) and LD 38 (87). Data for LD 14 and 29 is not released because the sample is too small.

Data: WA Department of Revenue, May 2026, via WA State Budget and Policy Center.
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 12/08/2026
Enough ballots are in that we can predict not only the winners of the primaries, but also the success rates of the big endorsers. I was curious and looked at Seattle Times, Progressive Voters Guide, The Urbanist, The Stranger, and KC Dems. www.wagraphs.com/Endorsement_...
Endorsement success percentages for KC Dems (90%), Progressive Voters Guide (86%), The Stranger (80%), The Urbanist (71%) and The Seattle Times (47%).
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 01/08/2026
“What’s a Streatery,” asked my 9 y/o. “It means we can have fun in our streets and not get hit by cars,” answered my 12 y/o. 💯
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 22/07/2026
Claude, fix this NY Times headline:
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 09/07/2026
Claude, fix this headline…
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 07/07/2026
Grid scale battery storage is urgently needed. Cities can either stand in the way, or help make the future better. Across the Eastside, the trend is standing in the way. I’m proud of Issaquah for these amendments to our climate action plan to support the future. Not passed yet but 🤞
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 28/06/2026
Oh, they’re still out there on Facebook.
An Internet commenter engages in witty banter
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 17/06/2026
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 14/06/2026
A recent Economist article on America's aging suburbs got me thinking about how demographics is housing policy, and housing policy is demographics. I pulled the age profiles for Issaquah and a few neighbors and grouped them by how similar they are. They've made very different housing choices.
Violin plots showing age and sex distribution for Redmond, Seattle, Issaquah, Bothell, and Sammamish.
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 03/06/2026
Sound Transit and WSF are proud to announce a new intermodal pilot at Mount Baker Station. The 1 Line now offers direct cross-Sound service. This vessel has already logged more on-time sailings this year than the Walla Walla.
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 03/06/2026
Glad to see Pride celebrated in Issaquah today, with all our councilmembers joining as always. Pride is worth living all year long, but a lot of what backs it up locally isn't a flag, it's the everyday work: housing, youth support, transit, services for seniors. That's what I'll keep showing up for.
Issaquah raises the pride flag!
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 20/05/2026
On a train ride from Seattle to San Francisco for Christmas break a year and a half ago, I remade all the Wikipedia maps for the #WAleg legislative districts, because the old ones kinda sucked, and I’m a maps nerd that is good at python. It’s always fun seeing them pop up in random places.
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 08/05/2026
Light rail forecast: If we do a good job in Issaquah as elected leaders, the next generation of Ballard lacrosse players playing in Issaquah will be taking light rail all the way from Ballard, after we’ve helped figure out how to cut costs, speed permitting, and #buildthedamntrians everywhere
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 03/05/2026
Thank you to King County Executive Girmay Zahilay for joining the 5th LD Dems Fundraiser last night. My favorite quote, "I am committed to advancing the line out to Issaquah," followed shortly by " #buildthedamntrains " Go Issaquah Light Rail!
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 12/04/2026
I worry about increasing authoritarianism in the US. Seeing Hungary, which arguably went further down that path than we have, successfully hold an election to reverse that is inspiring. Let’s hope for a peaceful transfer of power and a return to democratic norms. Looking forward to midterms here…
Orban toppled
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 11/04/2026
Update: Flock/ALPR camera meetings previously planned for May/June have been postponed. If you want to stay informed about new dates, email me at kevin.nichols@issaquahwa.gov or our City Clerk to join a notification list. Public feedback is always welcome, even before meetings are scheduled as well.
City Council –
The Mayor has asked that the Congressional Community Appropriations Grant & Automated License Plate Reader Cameras topic currently scheduled for the May 19 SSP and June 15 Council meeting be shifted to later in the year. An exact date is uncertain as we are awaiting confirmation of any deadlines for accepting the congressional grant.
If there are community inquiries on a meeting date for Flock/ALPR cameras, the Clerk's office is happy to add individuals to a notification list. We will then alert those folks of any public meetings on the topic once meeting dates are set.
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 08/04/2026
Longing for the day when most public transit alerts about “Issaquah” aren’t for the Washington State ferry system’s wonderfully named ferry, the good ship Issaquah.
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 29/03/2026
Issaquah CM here. Can confirm the city received a grant to buy Flock cameras and will discuss at upcoming public meetings (details below). I’d recommend anyone with opinions in Issaquah reach out to council. I have serious concerns but will save my own comments for the public meetings.
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 28/03/2026
I RODE A TRAIN ACROSS A LAKE TODAY! IT WAS ON A FLOATING BRIDGE! We are capable of building awesome things. Now we just need to make sure we get out of our own way and #BuildTheDamnTrains
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 18/03/2026
Thank you Issaquah transit advocates for showing up at the ST Board retreat today. Looking forward to the day we can take light rail all the way back from Tacoma to Issaquah!
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 18/03/2026
At the Sound Transit Board of Directors retreat down in Tacoma, along with a great turnout from Issaquah, and an overflowing crowd. Lots of interest in this meeting today where the future of ST3 will be discussed in detail throughout the day.
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 15/03/2026
SR 900 is a critical north-south route through Issaquah for all modes. It's also, unfortunately, a stroad: too fast for comfortable walking or biking, too many driveways and conflict points. That makes the dedicated pedestrian infrastructure along it even more important. 🧵 2/8
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 13/03/2026
For the Eastside Transportation Partnership meeting this morning, Councilmember @kellyjiang.bsky.social and I just happened to randomly choose Zoom backgrounds about light rail... ST staff noted that Issaquah residents have been HIGHLY ENGAGED with the board. Let's keep up the momentum Issaquah! 💜🚋💜
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 08/03/2026
Issaquah's 2026-27 Housing Work Plan goes to Council on Monday. 16 changes to make homebuilding in Issaquah more feasible. This came from the administration, but is based on our retreat, homebuilder feedback and staff thoughts. Feedback sought: what should be sequenced sooner? What are we missing?
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 01/03/2026
Traffic cameras were built to count cars. I trained computer vision on Issaquah's public feeds to count the people instead: pedestrians and cyclists the city isn't tracking. Even on our busiest roads, there are a lot of people out there. Analysis soon, images now → liveableissaquah.org/humans.html
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 27/02/2026
Lots of great Issaquah folks at yesterday's Sound Transit board meeting, but 7th grader Michael Miller gave the best public testimony I've ever heard. He'll be 28 when the Issaquah line opens. He's not asking for something now, he's asking us to build the right future www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYAy...
7th grade Issaquah resident Michael Miller giving the best public commentary I think I've ever heard
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 26/02/2026
Issaquah is packing the room for today’s Sound Transit board meeting, advocating for a better future for all of Sound Transit. You love to see it!
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 26/02/2026
I 💙 Public Comment
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 11/03/2025
The 2025-2026 results show Jeremie Dufault back as the most conservative House rep after a 2-year hiatus, narrowly beating out Jim Walsh. 🧵3/5
Violin plot of #WALeg 2025 House Republicans
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 11/03/2025
On the progressive end, freshwoman Rep. Briana Thomas is narrowly edging out fellow freshman Shaun Scott @organizewithshaun.bsky.social and Sharlett Mena as the most progressive according to the voting data. 🧵2/5
Violin plot showing 2025 House Dems in WA State #WALeg
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 06/12/2024
Ballard is another great example. Just looking at the yes/no votes on Prop 1., it looks like Ballard was a big supporter. And it was! But, it still significantly underperformed Dave based on how much progressive potential is there.🧵(4/5)
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 06/12/2024
However, after Upthegroveing, we can see outliers that aren't obvious from the yes/no vote alone. West Seattle is one glaring example. Lots of progressive votes, but transit under performed Dave. From a transit accessibility perspective this makes sense.🧵(3/5)
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 06/12/2024
If we were to just look at the yes/no results for prop 1 (shown here), you see basically what you'd expect. The most urbanized areas vote for transit, but Godspeed to any bus in Madison Park.🧵(2/5)
Seattle Prop 1 - Yes / No Vote
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Kevin Nichols @kevinnichols.org · 06/12/2024
The Upthegrove Normalization is this election's hottest way to spot outliers in progressive WA issues. Take a precinct, and see if it over or under-performed Upthegrove, the progressive Public Lands candidate. For example, look at this map of Seattle Prop 1 (transit) after Upthegroveing it.🧵(1/5)
City of Seattle Pro 1 (Transit) normalized to Dave Upthegrove Vote share
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