We asked the primary election candidates for City Council positions in Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac to respond to the following question: What are your qualifications for the office you are seeking and why should voters select you over your opponents?

Primary election ballots must be sent to King County Elections by Tuesday, Aug. 6. A ballot drop box is located in Burien in front of City Hall/Library at Southwest 152nd Street and 4th Avenue Southwest.

The two candidates who receive the most primary votes for each position will move on the Nov. 5 general election.

(I) indicates the incumbent. There is no incumbent in the race for Burien Council Position 7. Jeremy Nutting was appointed by Des Moines council members to a vacant position but has not been elected by voters.

Burien City Council Position No. 1

Lauren Berkowitz
Burien needs new leadership, new energy, new ideas, and improved communication with citizens. I know firsthand the supportive and collaborative nature of our community and how to incorporate citizens into the city council. Together, we can build sidewalks and transit-friendly infrastructure, improve public safety and create family-wage jobs and equal recreational opportunities regardless of income. I will incorporate Burien’s activism into the council to ensure progress in our city.
I am a member of the UW Law Class of 2015, an UNC-Chapel Hill graduate and a Robertson Scholar. Currently, I am a legal intern with Teamsters 117 and volunteer with Unemployment Law Project; prior to law school I was a union organizer and worked for Family Works Seattle. I was an AmeriCorps volunteer at Mt View Elementary, Cedarhurst Elementary and Evergreen High School. I have the experience to unite and lead residents toward a vibrant vision of Burien.

Jack Block, Jr. (I)
The current divisive council majority has driven Burien off the rails. I seek re-election to return the focus of the Burien City Council to Burien! I advocated for more police officers, created our senior center, fought to save taxpayers $300,000 by refinancing Burien’s debt, opposed annexation and wards. I said NO to increased taxes when reserves were available and I introduced resolutions supporting equality and immigration reform.
I will continue to focus on the real needs of our city, such as ending the blight of empty storefronts, adding more police officers, getting professional animal control to deliver services to underserved areas and ensuring our kids are supported with safe alternatives like a recreation center.
I stand up for the citizens of Burien as “The People’s Voice,” treating taxpayer dollars as if they come out of my own pocket. Please re-elect me so, together, we can get Burien back on track.

Kip Walton
Did not respond.

Burien City Council Position No. 3

Joan McGilton (I)
During my six years on Planning Commission and 12 years on the Burien City Council—including six years as mayor—I served with a dedicated council that shaped Burien into the community it is today.
My 25 years of professional engineering at Seattle Engineering and Boeing involved managing million dollar contracts staying on time and budget. I am happy to report Burien is not going broke. We are a strong and healthy city.
During my involvement in various regional environmental projects, I brought millions of dollars to Burien. My work with the Corps of Engineers resulted in Seahurst Park being a primary marine restoration project—the largest in Puget Sound.
As founding president of the Environmental Science Center (ESC) at the Park, I created and implemented science programs for Burien kids.
I am proud of my community activism in Burien and hope to continue my role on Burien City Council.

Andrea Reay
I’m not a politician; I’m an advocate who’s served on Burien’s Arts Commission for years, always looking for creative solutions. As a non-profit project manager, I help manage a budget $3 million larger than Burien’s $24 million dollars and negotiate and manage hundreds of people and contracts annually. I’m a mother of two young kids, a homeowner, and a UW graduate. I am the leader who knows it’s more important to listen, ask questions, and learn, than to blame, point fingers and dictate.
It’s time for change, fresh perspective, and respect. It’s time to move past politics and annexation and toward economic development, public safety, environmental stewardship, and a City Council that listens to the people. I won’t draw divisive lines; I will represent all of Burien’s citizens. You deserve a positive, level-headed member of the city council to work with and for you. I respectfully ask for your vote.

Robert L. Richmond III
Did not respond

Debi Wagner
It’s time to reform Burien city government, make it accountable, transparent and responsive. Citizens need to be heard, which isn’t happening with the current council. Public safety needs to be a priority. Burien’s businesses need to be revitalized and new ones recruited. Environmental protection and Town Square should be an important part of Burien’s planning. With 35 years of business experience in financial management and the environment, I have the knowledge and skills to guide Burien during these critical economic times.
I will continue to oppose annexation and ward-style districting, which are not future campaign promises, but things I have been actively working on already and as a concerned citizen, have written and spoken about before the council.
My family members are long-term residents who participate in our community and patronize local businesses. I would be honored to serve you and would appreciate your vote.
Thank you.
www.friendstoelectdebiwagner.org

Burien Council Position No. 7

Steve Armstrong
I am seeking the position for City Council to lead Burien into its next stage of health, welfare, economic growth and prosperity. The people of Burien need a voice on the council. I am that voice. I am invested in this community! This is my home and my children's home.
Having a solid background in economics and working in contracts and finance for 32 years at the largest aerospace employer in the world, I have been exposed to diverse and complex business decisions where understanding the goals and objectives has reached successful partnerships.
We are on the verge of creating a new destiny for Burien where we must invest in our children and ensure our police and fire personnel have the tools needed to protect and serve the community. Be business friendly and attract new business. No annexation! Your vote for me will ensure that your voice will be represented. Burien First!

Joey Martinez
As one of your Burien planning commissioners, I know the fundamentals of what it takes to guide a city. Over the next 20 years, Burien will face astonishing hurdles and I believe I am the right person for that job. And it starts today.
I believe that Burien’s top priority, as a city, should be public safety. Working with you to build a better Burien, I want to go after every grant possible. Additionally, I want to start a citizen’s task force to explore every available option to tackle our public safety concerns.
Secondly, we must focus on our youth. Working together, I want to build a better Burien by focusing the energies of our kids so fewer get in trouble and more succeed. No more "idle hands" theory in Burien!
Planning for our future, tackling today’s issues, and paving the way for tomorrow’s Burienites. Together, we CAN Build a Better Burien!

Chuck Rangel
Did not respond.

Des Moines City Council Position No. 4

James Payne
Des Moines is in the midst of a crime wave, having seen a 229 percent increase of violent crime in the past decade. Think of all of the crime victims this 229 percent increase has caused. The City Council has failed to properly fund the police, having instead gambled everyone’s safety by not adequately providing this essential service. Real people are suffering because there are simply not enough police officers on the beat, and it’s causing serious officer safety issues as well. Dangerous.
With my military and law enforcement background, combined with a Law and Justice degree and ongoing public administration education at the University of Washington, I intend to help reduce this outrageous crime figure.
Also, my business leadership and personnel management background will help solve the practical aspects of the problem. I intend to place the proper political emphasis on this criminal scourge, which is currently exacting a high social cost to our city.

Jeremy Nutting (I)
A city is a diverse business that needs to be intensely maintained and managed. As an established Des Moines business owner, I am familiar with running a successful business dedicated to safety, customer service, completing projects on time and providing quality products on budget. I bring that same commitment and dedication to our city!
Guiding Principles:
Safety: Support local government services that protect our community.
Economic Growth: Encourage business development by leveraging the waterfront and marina to promote Des Moines as a “Destination City.”
Fiscal Stability: Utilize my business background to ensure strategic investments guaranteeing success of our government and its operations.
I am a dedicated family man who has lived in Des Moines for the past 11 years with my wife, Yvonne, and two daughters, Natalie (7) and Lilah (5). As an active member of our community, I possess the passion, drive, knowledge and commitment this city deserves in office!

Chuck Swesey
What are my qualifications for the office I seek? Not much, really. I am not currently embroiled with the problems and issues facing our town. That said, I do have a strong sense of right and wrong and a deep spirituality.
Frankly, I don't particularly want the job. It's not about my ego. I was asked to run buy a number of unrelated people, so I did. If elected I will do honest work. I am an honest man. I will be on the right side of some issues and the wrong side of others, depending on who you are.

SeaTac City Council Position No. 2

Kathryn Campbell
I was born and raised in SeaTac. That qualifies me as someone who deeply loves this place. My experience in corporate business for over 40 years gives me an understanding of how teams work and how they don’t. Consensus succeeds, where division fails.
I have volunteered with the AT&T Pioneers, worked on the Olympics and Paralympics, and helped with community gardens and fundraising for the Symphony. The teamwork necessary to get the job done in all these endeavors gives me a background in people power.
Working with all the council members takes communication and listening skills, which I have. Being against this or that proposal is fine, but the voters want leaders who are FOR their issues. I listen in all languages—all are part of this community. I feel that if the voters want a better, more functional government, then Kathryn Campbell is the candidate they should choose.

Rick Forschler (I)
I'm a retired Boeing engineer and technologist, have lived in the SeaTac community since 1974, and was elected to the City Council in 2009.
My re-election campaign emphasizes prosperity, because with eight children and 17 grandchildren, I know their future depends on economic growth, job creation, better schools and crime prevention.
Our city government is now dominated by bureaucrats and union bosses. Their harmful policies have increased unemployment, lowered property values and increased crime. Now they’re promoting a job-killing initiative that would be especially harmful to SeaTac’s most vulnerable—the working poor, young people, immigrants and minorities.
I strongly favor protecting jobs, especially in SeaTac’s core industries — the airport, hotels and restaurants. I’m for government reform—improved transparency, greater public involvement, restoration of citizen control, and creation of a SeaTac ombudsman. In my second term, I’ll continue to work for you, standing up to the special interests.

Othman Heibe
My qualifications include that I’m the only candidate who speaks four (out of nearly 80+) languages spoken in SeaTac: Somali, English, Arabic and Swahili. I’ve also obtained a B.A. in political science at UW, a relevant degree to the job I’m seeking. Combined with my love to serve others, I’ll offer my fellow neighbors an exceptional councilmember while saving money for the city.
The difference is that I’m the youngest running, with lots of inventive ideas that are based on current trends, technology, fairness and common sense. If my neighbors are struggling to support their families, I’ll advocate for better living wages. My opponents will not.
I’m humble enough to recognize that I can learn from others, but I’ll never feel indebted to anyone if I see something isn’t right. I serve my city as a volunteer and I’d love to continue as a council member. I ask your vote.