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Seattle council holds forum for District 5 vacancy; appointment set for July 28
Summary
The Seattle City Council heard public comment and six finalists in a special session July 22 as it moves toward filling the District 5 seat; the council will vote on an appointment at its July 28 meeting.
The Seattle City Council held a special session July 22 that included an extended public comment period and a forum for six finalists seeking appointment to the District 5 council seat, with the council scheduling a final vote for July 28.
The session, convened at 1:03 p.m. by Council President Sarah Nelson, began with the council suspending its rules to allow public comment on items in the day’s agenda and the introduction and referral calendar. The clerk reported 23 in-person and six remote sign-ups for the public comment period; speakers were given two minutes each.
Public commenters largely advocated for particular finalists. Supporters of Julie Kang included multiple speakers who cited her community organizing and education work. Supporters of Nilu Jenks emphasized her work on democracy and youth engagement. Supporters of Deborah Juarez, a former councilmember, highlighted her prior record on infrastructure and North Seattle investments. Others spoke for candidates including Robert (Rob) Wilson, Katie Hama and James (first name pronounced by the clerk; last name spoken by the clerk with uncertain pronunciation).
The council invited the six finalists to speak in alphabetical order by last name. Each candidate was given three minutes to address the council and the public and later answered questions from councilmembers. Finalists who appeared and spoke included James (last name called by the clerk with uncertain pronunciation), Katie Hama, Nilu Jenks, Deborah Juarez, Julie Kang and Robert (Rob) Wilson.
Contestants outlined priorities for District 5 that included public safety, sidewalks and basic infrastructure, affordable housing and anti-displacement measures, and expanded behavioral-health and wraparound services. Nilu Jenks framed public safety as a set of “upstream” interventions, saying the city should invest in prevention and treatment as well as enforcement; during her remarks she said, “I’m not a thoughts-and-prayers kind of person; I do things,” and described organizing a large local gun buyback program.
Councilmembers spent blocks of time asking each candidate questions. Topics raised by councilmembers included sidewalk funding and prioritization (Councilmember Saka noted that 32% of the city’s missing sidewalks are in District 5), approaches to protecting immigrant communities from federal immigration enforcement, and the future role of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. Candidates generally described a mix of near-term actions (more shelter beds, care teams, business improvement support) and longer-term priorities (housing production, transit and walkability).
Council President Nelson and members reminded the public that the forum was one required component of the vacancy-filling process established in City code (SMC 3.93.010) and that the council will hold a final meeting to select and appoint a nominee for the District 5 seat on Monday, July 28 at 9:30 a.m. The council adjourned the session at 3:47 p.m.
