(The Center Square) – The Seattle City Council has appointed Mark Solomon from the Seattle Police Department to the vacant District 2 seat after five rounds of voting.
Solomon, a crime prevention coordinator for the Seattle Police Department, joins the Seattle City Council after previously running for the District 2 seat in 2019.
Solomon lost that 2019 election to Tammy Morales, gaining 40% of votes.
Morales resigned from her District 2 position on Jan. 6 – just one year into her second term. She cited mental health as the reason for her departure related to what she characterized as a dysfunctional city council and a toxic work environment.
This is the second year in a row that the Seattle City Council has had to appoint a council member. This is also the second year in a row the council has appointed a losing candidate for District 2 to the Seattle City Council
Last year, Tanya Woo was appointed to replace Teresa Mosqueda after she resigned to take a seat on the King County Council. Woo lost to Morales in the 2023 election for the District 2 seat.
It took the Seattle City Council five rounds of voting in order for a candidate to receive the necessary five votes in order to be appointed. The Seattle City Council Members who ultimately chose Solomon were: Sara Nelson, Rob Saka, Joy Hollingsworth, Maritza Rivera, and Cathy Moore.
Solomon kept his speech short after being appointed.
“I really am about serving this community, getting things done, and working with this council to make life better for the City of Seattle and for the residents of District 2,” Solomon said during Monday morning’s Seattle City Council meeting. “And for the residents of District 2, I’m here and I am here to be of service to you.”
Solomon was chosen out of a list of 20 finalists for the vacant District 2 seat that was then shortened to six finalists. The other five candidates were:
Chukundi Salisbury, manager of the Seattle Sustainability and Environmental Engagement Unit. Salisbury ran for the Washington House of Representatives District 37 seat in the 2020 general election, but only collected 33% of votes.Adonis Ducksworth, a transportation adviser to Harrell. Duckworth previously worked as the Seattle Department of Transportation deputy chief of staff.Thaddaeus J. Gregory, a former associate with Van Ness Feldman. Hong Chhuor, a communications officer at the nonprofit Friends of the Children – Seattle. Chhuor has previously worked at other Seattle-based nonprofits, including Plymouth Housing and El Centro de la Raza. Edward C. Lin, an assistant city attorney at the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.
Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka said he has known Solomon for nearly 25 years and spoke highly of Solomon’s character.
“In the age of Donald Trump 2.0, I think someone with strong character to lead the city with integrity is yet another factor that is more important now than ever,” Saka said.
