Javier Valdez Selected To Fill Jessyn Farrell's Open Seattle Seat

SEATTLE, WA - The King County Council has selected Javier Valdez, an assistant to Mayor Ed Murray, to replace Jessyn Farrell, who resigned from the state Legislature recently to run for Murray's seat. Valdez was among a handful of candidates chosen by precinct officers over the weekend. Farrell resigned on May 30.

Valdez will represent the 46th Legislative District, which includes northeast Seattle, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore, in the state House through the 2018 election. Valdez is a special assistant to Murray on women and minority-owned business issues. He has also been a member of the state Democratic Party's board.

Due to state campaign finance rules, Farrell would not have been able to raise money for the mayor's race while continuing to serve in the state Legislature. That's because members can't raise campaign money while the Legislature is in session (the body is currently in the midst of a second special session in an attempt to set the next biennial budget).

Farrell was first elected as a state representative in 2012.

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