Here’s the shortlist for the open seat on Olympia’s City Council

One of seven candidates the city of Olympia announced Friday will likely fill the seat opening up on Olympia’s City Council in January, when Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Bateman moves to her new position in the state House of Representatives.

The city received 29 applications, which were evaluated by a special subcommittee that met on Friday and recommended seven finalists.

If the council approves the subcommittee’s shortlist, one of the seven will be appointed by council and serve until the next election in November 2021. Although Bateman’s term would have lasted until 2023, state law dictates that the interim member serve only until the next general election. Several other seats are up for election next November, including those of Jim Cooper, Clark Gilman, Renata Rollins, and Lisa Parshley.

For Bateman’s seat, the finalists will be interviewed and one selected by Jan. 6, according to city spokesperson Kellie Purce Braseth.

Here are the finalists’ names in alphabetical order and a brief description of their previous professional, government and political experience.

Kento Azegami: Development Director for SideWalk, serves on Olympia’s Planning Commission, secretary for Thurston County Young Democrats.

Tracey Carlos: Precinct Committee Officer for Thurston County Democrats, founder of Thurston County Queer Democrats, national delegate for Joe Biden, board member for Partners in Prevention Education (PiPE).

Holly Davies: Toxicologist at Washington state Department of Health, chairs Olympia’s Heritage Commission.

Yen Huynh: Serves on Olympia’s Planning Commission, works as supplier diversity program specialist for state Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises.

Robbi Kesler: Attorney for Washington state House of Representatives, formerly general counsel for Confederated Tribes of Chehalis Reservation, enrolled member of Skokomish Indian Tribe.

Dontae Payne: Regional Outreach Representative for Governor’s Office, treasurer for Thurston County Young Democrats.

Maria Siguenza: Executive Director of Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs, serves on state Business Diversity Subcabinet and governor’s Poverty Reduction Workgroup.

Brandon Block

The Olympian

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Brandon Block is The Olympian’s Housing and Homelessness Reporter. He is a Corps Member with Report For America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms.