Twenty-two people applied to fill the District 5 Seattle City Council seat left vacant by Councilmember Cathy Moore’s early resignation.
The most prominent name on the list: Debora Juarez, Moore’s predecessor. Juarez served two terms as District 5 Councilmember, representing north Seattle. During her final two years, Juarez led the body as Council President.
In her application, Juarez said she would be honored to bring her “Elder Auntie” experience back to the Council as a “caretaker” for the position, meaning she would not run to stay in the seat beyond the appointment period.
Nilu Jenks, political director with FairVote Washington and a former District 5 Council candidate, also applied to fill the vacancy. Jenks placed third in the 2023 primary behind Moore and ChrisTiana ObeySumner.
The other applicants are:
- Gregory Boldt, a software developer and consultant
- Alan Bond, a Seattle Public Schools teacher
- James Bourey, former city manager of Newport News, Va., and former director of Seattle’s Office of Planning
- Jed Bradley, the University of Washington’s executive director of policy, planning & state operations
- Brent Butler, former chief strategy officer for Port Townsend’s Community Development Department
- Janice Clark, a podiatrist with the Seattle Indian Health Board
- Nick Cunetta, a geologist
- Katy Haima, a manager at Seattle’s Office of Planning and Community Development
- Julie Kang, Seattle University’s director of professional learning and development
- Lissa Latham, a project manager in UW’s radiology department
- Shane Macomber, Real Change director of operations and another candidate for this seat in 2023 who lost in the primary
- Mark Mendez, a recreation leader with Seattle’s Department of Parks and Recreation
- Brandon Monson, the City of Kirkland’s special projects coordinator
- Nic Rossouw, an architect and structural engineer
- Ansel Sanger, a real estate broker
- Nathan Schroeder, owner of Ballard Boxing
- Justin Simmons, former event coordinator for UW’s alumni association
- Eric Souder, vice president of business development at a technology security company
- Chloe Tang, a partner at a climate tech startup and former Seattle Community Police Commission engagement manager
- Robert Wilson, a senior product manager at Amazon
Moore announced her resignation in June, citing health and personal reasons, and stepped down on July 7 with two and a half years remaining in her first term.
Because Moore resigned after the filing deadline for the 2025 election, the City Charter dictates that the appointee will serve in the role until the next general election in 2026, when District 5 residents vote for someone to finish the final year of Moore’s term.
The Council is expected to appoint her temporary replacement on July 28.
Correction July 11, 2025: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Robert Wilson's position at Amazon.
