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Council to leave Ward 1 seat vacant until election after councilor resignation
Summary
After Councilor Tremaine Gaither’s July 15 resignation, the council agreed to leave the Ward 1 seat vacant so the November election can fill both the short and long terms, citing RCW timeline and avoiding possible perception of endorsing candidates.
Following the resignation of Councilor Tremaine Gaither (effective July 15), the Pullman City Council discussed how to fill the resulting Ward 1 vacancy and agreed by consensus to leave the seat vacant until the November election is certified.
City staff explained the applicable state rules (RCW) require the council to fill a vacancy within 90 days or the county commissioners may fill it; if the county does not fill it, the governor may appoint. Staff said because an election is underway for the seat — which will create a short term (certified after the election in late November) and a regular four‑year term starting Jan. 1 — filling the seat now could be perceived as endorsing an election candidate. The city advised that certification typically occurs around Nov. 25 and that an appointee filled in October would serve only until certification.
Council members Jenna Guido, Wright and others said it made more sense to conserve resources and avoid the perception of preferential treatment by leaving the seat open until election results are certified. Councilor Guido cited the timing and the proximity of the election; Councilor Wright said a short appointment would create a training burden for a person serving only a single meeting or short interval. No formal action to appoint a replacement was taken; the council directed staff to leave the seat vacant and await the election outcome.
