Mike O’Brien is fourth Seattle council member not seeking re-election
Feb 13, 2019, 1:08 PM | Updated: 2:16 pm
Seattle Councilmember Mike O'Brien announces that he will not seek re-election to the council, Feb. 13, 2019. (Linzi Sheldon, KIRO 7)
(Linzi Sheldon, KIRO 7)
Mike O’Brien became the fourth member of Seattle City Council to announce that they won’t seek re-election in 2019.
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O’Brien made the announcement in a Wednesday press conference, noting that he’s “excited to create some space for new leadership to emerge.”
“I will admit that I have some nervousness about the uncertainty of what that leadership looks like, but I also have profound faith in the democratic system in this city and the people of Seattle,” he continued.
Interestingly enough, O’Brien had actually already registered to run, even spending $2,100 on “polling, legal, and professional fees.” That money went to Winpower Strategies, a company that boasts its ability to “win elections,” providing campaign services that include logo design, campaign plans, a website, TV consultants, and ads.
#Seattle city council member Mike O’Brien talks about his decision to not seek re-election @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/knyc004Wlr
— Linzi Sheldon (@LinziKIRO7) February 13, 2019
“It has been both an honor and privilege to serve the people of one of the finest cities in the world. I want to thank the people of this city and District 6 who put their trust in me to represent their progressive values and independent spirit that is so much of what we cherish about Seattle,” O’Brien said in a news release.
This comes almost two weeks after a rumor from Safe Seattle claimed that not only would O’Brien decline to run, but that he’d already tapped a successor in “housing wonk” Lauren Craig.
Craig has yet to register a campaign for city council.
Currently on the ballot in O’Brien’s District 6 is family physician Daniel Fathi, Seattle Fair Growth’s Jon Lisbin, and professional planner and designer Kate Martin.
Seven out of nine Seattle city council members are up for re-election in 2019.
O’Brien joins Sally Bagshaw (District 7), Rob Johnson (District 4), and Council President Bruce Harrell (District 2) in expressing that they will not be seeking re-election.
Lisa Herbold (District 1), Kshama Sawant (District 3), and Debora Juarez (District 5) have all announced re-election campaigns.
#Seattle city council member Mike O’Brien summarizes some of his accomplishments in his ten yrs in office as he announces he won’t run again. pic.twitter.com/Qg1VCdDPsF
— Linzi Sheldon (@LinziKIRO7) February 13, 2019
