Tacoma mayoral debate: Jim Merritt and Victoria Woodards

TACOMA, Wash. - In November, Tacoma residents face the first open seat for Tacoma Mayor in 8 years.  The top-two vote getters coming out of the August primary were Jim Merritt, an architect, and Victoria Woodards, a former city council member.

Several important issues divide the candidates including:  how fast Sound Transit light rail can connect Tacoma to SeaTac; whether a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility should be built on the tide flats; whether the City is doing enough to attract and retain jobs (including bidding for Amazon's HQ2).

C.R. Douglas moderated a debate between the two candidates that aired Sunday, October 8 on Q13 News.  What follows is the complete exchange, divided by topics.

Segment #1:  Sound Transit

Segment #2:  Liquefied Natural Gas Facility

Segment #3:  Amazon HQ2

Segment #4:  Housing Affordability

Segment #5:  Public Safety and Homelessness