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Bellevue council names five finalists for March 18 interviews to fill upcoming council vacancy
Summary
Councilmembers selected five applicants for interviews to fill the council seat vacated by Representative‑elect Zahn, setting interviews for March 18 with a randomized order and a 15‑minute per‑candidate format.
Bellevue City Council on March 11 directed staff to invite five applicants for interviews as part of the city’s process to fill the council seat that will be vacated when Councilmember Zahn assumes a state legislative position later in March.
Mayor Lynn Robinson and city staff said Councilmember Zahn’s last meeting is the week of March 28, creating an interim vacancy the council will fill by appointment until an election later in the year. The council narrowed the applicant pool from roughly 20 submissions to five finalists and directed staff to schedule interviews during the regular council meeting on Tuesday, March 18.
Deputy Mayor Malakoutian moved to invite the following candidates for interviews: “Jaskaran Singh Sorrow, Claire Somadawaria, Diyala Ezedin, Eric Deriver and Vishal Bergaba,” and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said members who were not selected will be notified and thanked for applying.
Interview format and timeline: the city clerk explained the interview structure — each candidate will have up to a three‑minute opening statement and three minutes to answer each of four council questions (a total of 15 minutes per candidate). The clerk will draw names at random to set the order for interviews. The appointed councilmember will serve until the end of the year, and any appointee may run in the November election to seek the remainder of the term through 2026.
Why it matters: the appointment will temporarily fill vote and committee roles on the council and could affect votes on near‑term actions; councilmembers said they were impressed with the quality and number of applicants. Councilmember Newenhauser (sponsor of a separate public‑safety item) and others thanked applicants and noted the appointment process aims to be transparent and public.
What’s next: staff will contact the five candidates to confirm interview times and publish the interview order after the clerk’s random draw; council will conduct interviews at the March 18 meeting and then take further action on appointment per the council’s rules.
