Summary:
Debora Juarez has been appointed by the Seattle City Council to fill the vacant District 5 seat representing north Seattle. Juarez, who previously served two terms on the council, secured the necessary five-vote majority in a single round of voting. Her appointment is effective immediately and will last until November 2026. Juarez will assume the former councilmember's committee assignments, including chairing the Housing and Human Services Committee and serving as vice chair of the Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes and the Sustainability, City Light, Arts & Culture Committee.
On Monday, the Seattle City Council appointed former councilmember Debora Juarez to fill the vacant District 5 seat representing north Seattle. Juarez, who previously served two terms on the council, secured the necessary five-vote majority in a single round of voting. Her appointment is effective immediately and will last until November 2026, when voters will choose someone to serve the remainder of the term through 2027.
Juarez said returning to represent District 5 feels deeply personal.
“Representing District 5 was a great honor when I was elected twice and for some reason this feels much more emotional,” Juarez said after taking the Oath of Office. “For that I thank you. I raise my hands.”
District 5 includes Bitter Lake, Broadview, Greenwood, Lake City, Maple Leaf, Northgate, and Pinehurst. The seat was previously held by Cathy Moore, who resigned effective July 8.
Council President Sara Nelson said Juarez’s experience will be critical as the council addresses major priorities.
“I welcome Councilmember Juarez and look forward to the knowledge and experience she brings to City Hall,” Nelson said. “Having the Council back at full strength is vital as we continue our work on significant legislation including the Comprehensive Plan and the challenges of the upcoming City budget.”
Juarez will assume Moore’s former committee assignments, including chairing the Housing and Human Services Committee and serving as vice chair of the Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes and the Sustainability, City Light, Arts & Culture Committee.
Her appointment followed a 20-day City Charter-mandated process that included 22 applicants and a public forum with finalists at North Seattle College on July 17.
Councilmember Rob Saka praised Juarez’s selection.
“Debora Juarez will be an outstanding Councilmember for D5, and I’m confident she will hit the ground running to serve this diverse district and its urgent priorities,” Saka said.
Councilmember Dan Strauss also highlighted Juarez’s record of delivering results for District 5.
“She has a track record of getting things done for District 5,” Strauss said. “As we work to complete the Lake City Community Center, Northgate Commons, update the Comprehensive Plan, and so much more, Councilmember Juarez has the experience required to hit the ground running and deliver results for D5.”
During her previous tenure, Juarez:
• Chaired the committee that redeveloped Climate Pledge Arena without taxpayer dollars and helped bring the Kraken Community Iceplex to District 5.
• Oversaw the completion of the John Lewis Memorial Bridge at Northgate Light Rail Station and accelerated the opening of Pinehurst Station.
• Advocated for Indigenous peoples, creating Seattle’s first Indigenous Advisory Council, leading the city’s first Tribal Summit in 2023, and helping establish a Seattle Indian Health Board clinic in Lake City.
Strauss also thanked the 22 applicants who sought the District 5 seat.
“I sincerely thank everyone who applied,” he said. “We had an incredible group of candidates, and I expect to see some of them in elected office in the future.”
