Support Us Button Widget

Seattle City Council prepares to choose next citywide council member

The position is voted on by the council, as opposed to the general city population.

1024px-Seattle_City_Hall_(31068413745).jpeg

This will be someone’s new office in just a matter of two weeks.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

While the majority of Seattle and King County’s election cycles finished in November, there’s one more position that’s still up for grabs — a Seattle City Council at-large seat.

Seattle City Council has two of these citywide seats that are typically on the ballots when we vote for Seattle’s mayor and city attorney.

But 2024 will require a little bit of maneuvering. Teresa Mosqueda — who held Position 8 — was recently elected to a King County Council position and vacated her city spot on Jan. 3. That means Seattle has 20 days to find a replacement.

Still confused? Let’s try to sort it out.

🗳 What is this at-large position?

In addition to the council’s seven district positions, Seattle also has two at-large council members that are meant to represent the city’s interests as a whole.

So while you have your district council member, you can also reach out to either of the two at-large folks for anything you want to discuss. Council President Sara Nelson currently holds the Position 9 at-large seat.

🗳 Why is the council voting on it?

The city charter dictates that the city council has 20 days to appoint a replacement should an at-large council member vacate the position.

The council appointee will keep their seat until November when the city runs a special election to determine a longer-term replacement. The winner of that election will keep the seat until 2025 when the position is regularly scheduled to be up for grabs.

🗳 Who’s up for the role?

Of the 72 eligible applicants for the temporary replacement, eight have been selected as finalists.

  • Juan J. Cotto
  • Neha Nariya
  • Mark Soloman
  • Vivian Song
  • Steven K. Strand
  • Mari Sugiyama
  • Linh Thai
  • Tanya Woo

Next, the council will host a community forum (still being scheduled) where the public can provide feedback. Then on Monday, Jan. 22, each candidate has an opportunity to address the council before a final vote on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

More from SEAtoday
The highly popular doughnut chain will open its new Capitol Hill doors on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Seattle is made up of so many wonderful small businesses, here are a few our readers love in honor of Small Business Saturday.
Including gifts for neighbors, foodies, significant others, homebodies, students, and gifts under $20.
Grind still going well after the sun goes down? These late-night studying spots in Seattle provide a comfy place to get cracking on your project.
Here are a few creative ways to get rid of your Halloween pumpkins and fallen leaves instead of tossing them in the garbage can.
A mysterious aerobics bike at Gas Works Park converted into a secret photo booth — it doesn’t get more Seattle than that.
After a few different plans to fix a $91.5 million budget gap, Seattle Public Schools has announced the four schools it officially intends to close in the 2025-26 school year.
Give Seattle’s vast culinary options a taste test with specially crafted menus at 200+ local restaurants.
Grab your biggest buckets — these Seattle neighborhoods offer the best treats, no tricks needed.
Equipped with a marine-themed playground, tree grove, fountain, and plaza, Pier 58’s rebuild is bringing a whole new community gathering space to Seattle’s Waterfront.