With a familiar name on the list, process begins to fill City Councils North Seattle seat

Debora Juarez, a former Seattle City Council member, is among six finalists to fill the District 5 seat vacated by Cathy Moore's resignation due to health and personal reasons. The finalists will participate in an appointment forum on Monday, followed by interviews on July 22 and a vote scheduled for July 28, requiring a simple majority of five votes to secure the position until the 2026 election. Juarez's experience in district-based representation and her familiarity with the council's operations position her as a strong candidate. This appointment comes amid a turbulent year for the council, which has seen multiple resignations, including that of South Seattle representative Tammy Morales, who cited a toxic work environment. Juarez previously served on the council starting in 2016 and faced challenges during her tenure, including conflicts with fellow council member Kshama Sawant.

She emphasized her readiness to lead, stating her desire to ensure Seattle remains a vibrant and welcoming city. The District 5 seat will be up for election again in 2026, and Juarez aims to serve as a caretaker until then. Her candidacy reflects the council's ongoing efforts to fill gaps and maintain stability in local governance.