Debora Juarez Emerges as Frontrunner for Seattle City Council Return

Debora Juarez, a former two-term Seattle City Councilmember, is poised to return to City Hall as the likely appointee to fill the District 5 seat vacated by Cathy Moore earlier this month. With her extensive legislative experience and strong ties to the district, Juarez is widely viewed as the council’s preferred candidate to provide stability and leadership amid recent turbulence.

Councilmembers narrowed a field of 22 applicants to six finalists on Thursday, with each councilmember given the opportunity to nominate one candidate. Juarez was nominated by Councilmember Bob Kettle, and her return would make her the longest-tenured member currently on the council—though not consecutively—having previously served from 2016 to 2023, including as council president for two years.

The final decision is expected on July 28, following two public forums scheduled for July 21 at North Seattle College and July 22 at City Hall. While technically still a competition, Juarez is widely seen as the frontrunner. In her application, she described herself as a caretaker candidate ready to "hit the ground running," emphasizing her role as an "Elder Auntie" bringing wisdom and stability during a transitional period.

“It’s simple: I was called to serve,” Juarez wrote, underscoring that she does not intend to run for election in 2026. Still, that declaration is not binding, and some councilmembers—such as President Sara Nelson—have expressed a preference for appointing candidates who plan to seek a full term.

The District 5 seat became vacant when Moore, who had only served for seven months, stepped down citing “health and personal reasons.” Her resignation came after a difficult transition into council politics, despite winning the 2023 election with 64% of the vote. Her early departure ensures that her appointed replacement will serve through 2026, when voters will decide who will hold the seat moving forward.

Moore’s departure followed the earlier resignation of District 2 Councilmember Tammy Morales, who left office in January. Morales cited toxic internal dynamics, including bullying and gaslighting, as the reasons behind her decision. Her seat will be filled through a special election this fall.

The council’s remaining six finalists reflect a range of civic, nonprofit, and private-sector experience:

James M. Bourey – Executive director of the Seattle Architecture Foundation and former city manager for two Mid-Atlantic cities. Nominated by Council President Sara Nelson.

Katy Haima – Community planning manager for the City of Seattle. Nominated by Councilmember Mark Solomon.

Nilu Jenks – Political director for FairVote Washington and former District 5 candidate in 2023, nominated by Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck.

Julie Kang – Director of professional and continuing education at Seattle University, nominated by Councilmember Maritza Rivera.

Robert D. Wilson – Senior product manager at Amazon and former Navy servicemember, nominated by Councilmember Rob Saka.

Debora Juarez – Former council president and the first Indigenous person to serve on Seattle City Council, nominated by Councilmember Bob Kettle.

Juarez’s application emphasized her record of infrastructure investment and civic development, citing major accomplishments such as helping deliver the Climate Pledge Arena, accelerating the 130th Street/Pinehurst light rail station, and securing funding for the John Lewis Memorial Bridge. She also played a key role in bringing the Kraken Community Iceplex to District 5 and supported the development of the Seattle Storm’s dedicated WNBA practice facility in Interbay—the first of its kind for a women's professional team in the U.S.

Throughout her previous terms, Juarez often aligned with the council’s centrist bloc and occasionally found herself at odds with the progressive majority that dominated her second term. With centrists now holding more influence, her return may bring greater alignment and cohesion to the current legislative body.

Still, the job comes with challenges. Recent polling has shown steep declines in public approval for councilmembers, reflecting frustration over a lack of new policy accomplishments and a perceived overemphasis on undoing prior council initiatives. Juarez’s blend of institutional knowledge and pragmatic focus may offer a steady hand—at least temporarily—as the council navigates an increasingly skeptical electorate.