I have served as a Seattle City Councilwoman since 2004. My years of experience balancing our city’s budget, bringing new jobs to the region, and protecting our environment fuel my passion for public service.

I’m running for reelection to ensure that our city’s future reflects our values and maintains our core priorities.  As a Councilwoman, I advocate for conserving our environment, balancing our budget, protecting our most vulnerable, bringing new jobs, and defending our rights.

Growing up in a military family, I lived in 116 towns and cities before arriving in Seattle at age 17. I attended Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism as one of two women in my class. I later graduated from the University of Washington’s School of Communications, where I’m an honored member of the school’s Hall of Fame.

I gained recognition in Seattle serving as a city columnist, first for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and more recently for the Seattle Times. In 2003, I left my  job as a columnist to run for Seattle City Council Position One. Elected after a 100-day campaign, I became chair of the important Energy & Environmental Policy Committee.

In my second term, I serve as Chair of the Finance and Budget committee. As Chair, I’m committed to balancing revenues and expenditures in the best interests of the city, while demonstrating an equally strong commitment to involving citizens from all walks of life in setting budget priorities.

I balance my passion for civic life with meetings of the Uppity Ladies Book Club, games of Scrabble, bicycling, kayaking, swimming and spending time with friends and family. I have two sons, Glenn and Jeff, and two grandsons, Chris and Matthew. I live in Seattle’s View Ridge neighborhood.