The Seattle City Council has selected six finalists to replace former District 5 Councilmember Cathy Moore, who stepped down July 7 due to health issues. The finalists—chosen from a pool of 22 applicants—include both political newcomers and a former council president.

Finalists:

• James M. Bourey, executive director of the Seattle Architecture Foundation and former city manager in Virginia and South Carolina
• Katy Haima, longtime city planner with Seattle’s Office of Planning and Community Development
• Nilu Jenks, FairVote Washington political director and 2023 District 5 candidate
• Debora Juarez, who represented District 5 from 2016 to 2023 and served as Council President
• Julie Kang, continuing education director at Seattle University and active community board member
• Robert D. Wilson, Amazon product manager and Navy veteran, who emphasized his outsider status in his application

The public can hear from candidates at a July 21 forum at North Seattle College and a July 22 special council meeting. A final vote is expected July 28. The appointee will serve until a special election in 2026. If elected then, they must run again in 2027 to keep the seat.