Former Sammamish city council member, Kathleen Huckabay, is running for city council, position 1, currently held by John James, who is not seeking re-election.

Huckabay was elected to the first council in 1999 and served for 10 years, including a term as mayor. She represented the city on the Regional Transit Committee, Puget Sound Council executive board, and as a board director at Eastside Fire and Rescue.

Her proudest accomplishments are “laying the groundwork for a financially successful city, starting the conversation with King County which resulted in opening the Lake Sammamish Trail and acquiring other park opportunities, and initiating the partnerships with the local school districts that resulted in constructing more playing fields for our active community.”

Huckabay said she is proud of successfully managing growth in a way that protects the environment and the quality of life that makes Sammamish a special place.

Huckabay started her city council service focusing on identifying and insuring that the future impacts of financial decisions were incorporated into the city’s long-term financial budgets. Sammamish is one of few cities in the state with no long-term debt and a AAA bond rating.

Huckabay said she will continue to focus on keeping the city on a strong financial footing while advocating for additional amenities and services that strengthen the community. She also pledges to work for broader housing choices that encourage both young people and seniors to stay in the community.

A Sammamish resident since 1985, Huckabay and her husband live in the Pine Lake Ridge neighborhood. She is a CPA and certified financial planner and operates a tax accounting and financial planning business. In addition, she is an active member of the Sammamish Kiwanis Club and serves on the boards of Eastside Baby Corner, artEast and Habitat for Humanity, and was formerly on the board of the Sammamish YMCA.