Cheryl Selby to run for Olympia mayor

Olympia City Councilwoman Cheryl Selby has publicly declared her candidacy for the city’s open mayoral position.

Selby made the announcement Monday while surrounded by supporters outside her small clothing business, Vivala, in downtown Olympia.

Selby, who was elected to the council in November 2013, said she would focus on economic development and a revitalization strategy for the city. That strategy, she said, would go beyond downtown and encompass all corners of Olympia.

“We need to build a bridge across to the west side. They’re feeling very underrepresented in our city government,” Selby said Monday. “We represent the whole city.”

If elected mayor, Selby promises to bring a “participatory leadership” style with fellow council members that emphasizes teamwork and equality in decision-making. Selby said she also would build on her work with nonprofit programs such as SideWalk, which connects the homeless with housing and other assistance.

“I am very humble about what I know and what I don’t know,” Selby said Monday. “I will listen and I will bring a different type of leadership to this community.”

At Monday’s campaign kickoff, State Rep. Chris Reykdal (D-District 22) said Selby’s experience in the business and charity sectors would be an asset if she were elected mayor.

“I have never been more excited about a local candidate as I am about Cheryl Selby,” Reykdal said. “Capital cities all around the United States look at Olympia as a model.”

So far, no other candidates have declared their intention to run for the open mayoral position in 2015. The filing deadline for all candidates is May 15.

The annual salary of Olympia’s mayor is just under $20,000.

In a surprise announcement last week, current Mayor Stephen Buxbaum said he would not seek re-election in 2015. Buxbaum was elected mayor in 2011, and his term expires in December.

In his final year in office, Buxbaum said he will continue working on developing a Community Renewal Area, which would increase the city’s eminent domain powers for blighted properties in the downtown area. Other priorities this year include a plan for preserving Percival Landing in downtown Olympia as well as advocating for a new library, he said.

Buxbaum told The Olympian he hasn’t closed the door on pursuing another public or elected position in 2016, but he said that at this time, he is primarily concerned with finishing the last year of his term.

“Right now I want to focus on doing the best job I can for the community and region,” he said.

This story was originally published January 5, 2015 at 1:15 PM with the headline "Cheryl Selby to run for Olympia mayor."