Amazon, Reluctant Player No More, Plunges Into Seattle Election
- Pushback from business as progressives win national prominence
- Seattle is divided over how to address impact of torrid growth
The Seattle Space Needle is seen past the Amazon.com Spheres in Seattle.
Photographer: Mike Kane/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A day after Amazon.com Inc. disclosed one of the largest campaign contributions in a Seattle election, protesters gathered outside the company’s headquarters.
Under a pair of tents set up to deflect a persistent drizzle, City Councilmember Mike O’Brien said Amazon’s $1.05 million contribution to a business-backed political-action committee was “potentially devastating to our democracy.” Matt Smith, an Amazon package handler, asked employees to join him in a rally rejecting the move.