Seattle City Council to Choose Finalists for D2 Seat from Diverse Pool of Candidates

The Seattle City Council is set to finalize candidates for the vacant District 2 seat, with the selection process taking place on Friday afternoon. A total of 20 candidates, primarily from South Seattle, are vying for the position, which has become available following the resignation of Councilmember Tammy Morales amid allegations of a toxic work environment. Current council members will nominate finalists, with a public forum scheduled for next week to further evaluate the candidates. Among the applicants is Chukundi Salisbury, who has been active in the Black Legacy Homeowners group, and former Capitol Hill Community Council leader Hong Chhuor. Randy Engstrom, previously the director of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Culture, also seeks the appointment.

Mark Solomon, who was endorsed by The Seattle Times in his unsuccessful bid for the same seat in 2019, is another prominent candidate. This appointment is critical, as the new council member will need to campaign for re-election in the upcoming August primary and November general election. The outcome will significantly shape the representation and decisions affecting the District 2 community.