Rob Johnson Replacement Search Will Begin Monday: Harrell

SEATTLE, WA - The Seattle City Council will waste no time finding a replacement for District 4 Councilman Rob Johnson. Council President Bruce Harrell said Thursday he would start accepting applications on Monday.

Johnson, who had already announced he's not seeking reelection in 2019, told KING 5 that he's resigning effective April 5. He told the station that he's leaving Council to be with his family. He also recently accepted a job as a transportation advisor with Seattle's new NHL team.

However, Johnson has been hinting for a while that he might leave once the Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) legislation passed. That happened Monday, and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan signed it into law on Wednesday.

Under the City Charter, City Council has 20 days from the date of Johnson's resignation to pick a replacement. Harrell says he expects to find a suitable candidate in that time-frame, and one that hopefully won't try to stick around after November.

"Given the need for our new Councilmember to hit the ground running and this fall’s election seven months away, I believe we should appoint an experienced caretaker who agrees not to seek election to the Council this year," Harrell said in a statement.

The District 4 City Council race has already drawn nine candidates. Some of the leading contenders, at least as far as money raised, include: Alex Pedersen, a former Tim Burgess legislative aide; Democratic Socialist Shaun Scott; and King County Labor Council and doctor Emily Myers.

If you're interested in replacing Johnson, visit this link on March 25.