Seattle City Council names six finalists for District 5 vacancy; public forum set for July 21

Seattle City Council members on July 17 adopted a voting procedure and nominated six finalists to advance in the process to fill the vacant District 5 seat: Deborah Juarez, Nilu Jenks, Julie Kang, Robert Wilson, Katie Grama and Jim Bory.

The nominations followed a public comment period in which 24 people spoke in person and remotely, many urging appointment of specific candidates. Council President Sarah Nelson opened the meeting and suspended the council rules to allow public comment; she later moved to adopt the voting procedure that governed how members would nominate finalists.

The finalists will participate in a community-organized public forum Monday, July 21, 5:30–7:30 p.m. at North Seattle College Auditorium to remain eligible for appointment. The council scheduled a special meeting at 9:30 a.m. July 28 to vote on and appoint one eligible finalist to the District 5 seat.

Why it matters: The appointee will represent roughly a year and four months before the next regularly scheduled city election and will serve on the council as Seattle faces a budget shortfall, a comprehensive plan update and ongoing street-safety and…