Kirkland Councilman Tom Neir Not Running In 2019

KIRKLAND, WA - First-term Councilman Tom Neir will not run for reelection in 2019 citing a desire to focus on his business. Neir is the second Councilman to step aside this year after Position 6 Councilman Dave Asher announced his retirement.

"I make this announcement with great sadness. I love Kirkland. Serving on the Kirkland City Council has been one of life’s great honors," Neir said in a statement.

Neir was first elected in 2017 and his term expires at the end of 2019. He will remain in office until then, leaving the Position 2 race wide open. No one has filed to run for his seat yet, according to state records.

Amy Falcone, who was a finalist to replace former mayor Amy Walen, is running to replace Asher. No one else has filed to run in that race yet. Council members Toby Nixon and Kelli Curtis have filed to run for reelection this year.

Neir is the CEO of TorrX, a local sporting goods startup that make a "smart" ball pump.