2015 Election: Lisa Herbold now officially in District 1 City Council race

Before this morning, four candidates were in the District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) City Council race (and appeared in our forum last Thursday). Now, there are seven.

Third to announce today, Lisa Herbold, who was on record with the city about a week ago as exploring the possibility, but did not officially declare until this afternoon; she tells us she had to take the time to find out if she could raise the money for a serious run. She called us to make the announcement, so along with a news release, we have a bit of an interview. Herbold is a 15-year resident of Highland Park – which is almost as long as she’s worked for City Councilmember Nick Licata, who is not running again. Asked about the potential criticism that she’s an insider, after working at City Hall all those years, she said, “Anybody who knows Nick Licata knows he’s not an establishment politician … working for Nick for 16 years doesn’t make me a City Hall insider – we work on issues that are not insider issues, the hard issues like housing, paid sick leave, all very against the political grain.” She says the city’s move to district elections (for 7 of the council’s 9 positions) is the reason she wants to run – “I’m a community organizer by training – that’s my vision of governance; something that’s close to people.” Asked how she’ll start the campaign, she says she’ll be doorbelling her neighbors in Highland Park to let them know she’s running.

IN THE DISTRICT 1 RACE NOW: Lisa Herbold (declared 2/11/15), Shannon Braddock (declared 2/11/15), Brianna Thomas (declared 2/11/15), Phillip Tavel (declared 2/4/15), George Capestany (declared 11/11/14), Amanda Kay Helmick (declared 10/20/14), Chas Redmond (declared 12/20/13). Filing deadline is May 15th; primary election is August 4th. Along with voting on the D-1 position, West Seattle/South Park also will vote on the two “at-large” spots, Positions 8 and 9.

Melissa February 11, 2015 (5:57 pm)

It will be great to continue to have a progressive voice on the council and able to represent the underserved neighborhood in district 1

JayDee February 11, 2015 (6:56 pm)

This ought to be interesting. 7 candidates for one of the musical chairs. Good luck to all, and I hope we stop at 7…are there runoffs?

WSB February 11, 2015 (7:04 pm)

The primary on August 4 has no limit. I don’t know the deadline for dropping out but will be looking that up. The August 4 will determine which two go on the November general election ballot. Next forum that I know of is in mid-March so we’ll see what the field looks like then!

ivan February 11, 2015 (7:51 pm)

With 16 years of experience at the City Council, Lisa brings to this race the highest level of policy expertise and constituent service in this field of candidates. She will need no learning curve. She has been called “the tenth Council member.” This is the level of representation that West Seattle has been accustomed to, and she is the one most qualified to deliver it.

The Truth February 11, 2015 (8:13 pm)

Not including the lawyer, has any of these folks owned or operated a business or are they all positions and organizers? Not to dismiss their work, just wondering?

Lauren February 11, 2015 (8:32 pm)

Great news. Lisa is simply awesome.

My biggest reservation about going to districts was having only one council member to represent me, my neighborhood and my family instead of all of them. To be honest, having an “insider” in the sense that she knows the ropes, knows city policy like that back of her hand and will have no learning curve, has established connections with city agencies and most importantly, has proven herself to be one of the most responsive people at City Hall when you need someone to listen, well a that’s not such a bad thing.

Chris February 11, 2015 (10:24 pm)

Hmmm – was looking forward to talking to her tonight after the 34th Dems meeting but she left very quickly at the end of the meeting while folks were still mingling. Too bad. Missed opportunity.

Jeff February 11, 2015 (10:27 pm)

Definitely voting for anybody other than a Licata clone.

dsa February 11, 2015 (11:34 pm)

Thought we finally got rid of Licata.

WS gal February 11, 2015 (11:41 pm)

Hmm’ Jeff, I agree no licata clones, and if you’re going to run stand on something other than the fact you worked with someone who was a CAREER politician and you’ve worked with him that long!?! No thanks, that’s why I said yes to district elections. City council needs term limits so we have fresh new ideas every 1-2 terms. Done

Ivan February 12, 2015 (12:53 am)

Given Nick’s winning margin in his last election — 87 percent of the vote — I’d guess that “running on Nick’s coattails” would be a successful strategy. But Lisa will stand on her own very well, thank you.

Marty February 12, 2015 (9:31 am)

Another Nick Licata? One was more than enough. Sorry Ivan, I guess we don’t agree.

JTB February 12, 2015 (9:46 am)

I don’t know that working for Licata makes Herbold a de facto clone of him. I’m sure it will become evident in the campaign whether or not that’s the case.

I certainly am interested in having a genuinely progressive voice representing West Seattle on the Council, but one informed by a pragmatic sense of how to get things done. Given the dereliction of duty on the part of the state legislature, more and more responsibility falls on the county and city for managing finances and moving Seattle forward. I look forward to hearing what Herbold has learned from her experience within city government that might contribute to meeting those challenges in practical ways.

East Coast Cynic February 12, 2015 (10:41 am)

I want to know and hope they flesh out themselves, who will be the strongest candidate on improving public transportation for West Seattle, particularly with an eye toward getting Light Rail on Sound Transit 3?

I see some people are gushing for Herbold, but will she pretty much adopt her boss’s position on merely more buses as a solution to the peninsula’s/city’s transit issues?

Sorry, comment time is over.