Redmond Council President Birney To Run For Mayor

REDMOND, WA - Redmond City Council President Angela Birney will run for mayor. Her announcement comes about a week after longtime Mayor John Marchione said he wouldn't seek reelection in 2019.

Birney said that she'll focus on housing affordability and transportation issues if elected. She has been a member of City Council since 2016, but has served on the Redmond Parks and Trails Commission, the Cascade Water Alliance, and the King County Health Board.

"Anyone who works in Redmond should be able to live in Redmond. We need to increase affordable housing and transportation options so teachers, firefighters, and other members of our community can spend time here at home, rather than commuting," she said in a press release.

Marchione, 53, announced on Jan. 3 that he won't seek reelection in 2019. He did not give a specific reason, only saying he wanted to "pass the baton" to someone new.

Redmond resident Andrew Koeppen, a local real estate agent and owner Hot off the Press Printers, has also filed to run for Marchione's seat.

Birney enters the race with endorsements from major Eastside elected officials, including state Sen. Manka Dhingra, and Redmond council members Tanika Padhye, Hank Margeson, and David Carson.

Image courtesy Angela Birney