Seattle City Council President Debora Juarez announced in a release Monday that she will not seek re-election after the end of her term on December 31, 2023.
“Our Uncle, Billy Frank Jr., taught us that you should ‘lead to leave’, Juarez said. “I’ve added my own sentiment: ‘leave a legacy.’ I believe it’s time to leave Seattle City Council, and I am proud of our legacy. It has been an honor to serve the city I love, with good people who care as deeply about it as I do.”
This follows Seattle City Councilmember and socialist alternative, Kshama Sawant, who announced, in a release on Jan. 19, that she will not run for re-election again in Seattle’s District 3.
Also not running for re-election are District 4′s Alex Pedersen and District 1′s Lisa Herbold, while at-large Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda announced a run for King County Council last week.
Council President Juarez was elected as the first representative of District 5 in 2015, with 64% of the vote, and was re-elected in 2019 with a 60% majority. She will be completing her second four-year term as the first Indigenous Councilmember and first Indigenous Council President.
“Council President Juarez’s legacy includes successfully forging new ways to build the city’s infrastructure through community partnerships,” the release said. “She is known for her determined “get-it-done” approach, and her willingness to see opportunities where others see barriers. Propelled by this spirit, Council President Juarez leaves a legacy marked by the development of critical infrastructure, increased services to vulnerable communities, and consistent advocacy for equity and economic vitality.”
Juarez leaves behind a legacy, some of her accomplishments, according to the release, include:
- Leading the way to building Climate Pledge Arena
- Asking Climate Pledge to support the Seattle storm and helping the construction of the Seattle Storm Training Facility.
- Advocating for the Kraken Community Iceplex to include a space for girls’ hockey.
- Leading the redevelopment of the Seattle waterfront to become more pedestrian friendly.
- Serving on the King Country Regional Policy Committee which helped create the King County Regional Homeless Authority.
- Helping create the Community Police Commission, Office of Police Accountability.
- Creating Seattle’s first Indigenous Advisory Council.
- Advocating for mixed-income housing throughout the Northgate neighborhood.
For more information on Juarez’s time as Council President and to learn more about these projects go here.