Bellevue's City Council has made its choice, appointing a new member who will take her seat at the end of March. It's Claire Sumadiwirya's turn to step into local governance, unanimously selected to replace Councilmember Janice Zahn. This shake-up follows Zahn's resignation, prompted by her new role in the State House of Representatives, representing the 41st Legislative District since January.
The council seat that Sumadiwirya will fill became an open opportunity earlier this year. Following Zahn's announcement to resign, a total of 20 community members threw their hats into the ring, vying for her Seat 5 on the council—an impressive number, though that field was narrowed to five by March 11. Information obtained from the city's own announcement reveals Sumadiwirya boasts over 30 years as a Bellevue resident and carries with her the experience of a downtown small business owner, along with significant involvement in various local nonprofits and boards.
When it came to stating her priorities during the interview process, Sumadiwirya didn't hold back. She laid out commitments to public safety, education, sustainable growth, and quality of life, according to the city's announcement. Her letter of interest further expanded on her vision, with Sumadiwirya asserting that her ambition to serve on the council "represents a commitment to collaborative leadership that will elevate Bellevue's standing as a global city, while ensuring our growth is rooted in strong local support and inclusive community processes."
Looking forward, the city will see the Position 5 seat along with Positions 2, 4 and 6 on the 2025 General Election ballot, Bellevue operates under a council-manager form of government, where seven members elected at-large juggle four-year staggered terms. They manage not just legislative responsibilities but also the appointment of the city manager, who is tasked with the daily operations of the city. The new councilmember for Position 5, post-election victor, will serve through Zahn's original term, ending December 31, 2027.
