City of Lynnwood

Council Chair Jared Mead is running unopposed for another term in the District 4 seat on the Snohomish County Council. Mead has held a number of public service positions, including four years on the Mill Creek City Council, two years as a state lawmaker in Legislative District 44, and his most recent tenure on the county council, where he has sat since he was appointed in 2020 and retained in the following election by voters. Mead, who was born and raised in south Snohomish County, has also worked as a legislative aide and as a campaign manager.

In his re-election campaign, Mead is focusing on several key issues, including affordability, public safety, and transportation. Mead supports expanding mental health resources and violence prevention programs to enhance public safety services. Regarding affordable housing, Mead acknowledges the need to increase the housing supply. However, we would be interested to see his approach expand to include solutions such as renter and tenant protections.

Mead referred to himself as being more right-leaning than his party, which is evidenced by certain votes and policy proposals he made during his time on the council. Earlier this year, Mead introduced the controversial Amendment 3 to the Critical Areas Regulations bill, which the conservative side of the council helped pass. His amendment faced public backlash for its lack of wildlife protections and for reducing buffers of protection around wetlands.

Additionally, Mead proposed an amendment to the Snohomish County budget that reduced funding for the Office of Social Justice and Executive Office funding after an audit found the department to be unsustainable in the long term. Fellow county council member, Strom Peterson, criticized the move, saying the council overstepped its authority.

We hope that Mead adopts more progressive positions on some key issues during his next term on the Snohomish County Council.

Derica Escamilla was appointed to the Lynnwood City Council in 2024 and is now running to retain her seat. She is a first-generation Mexican American born in Moses Lake, Washington, raised in Southern Texas, and has lived in the Lynnwood community since 2005. She is a business development manager for an engineering services provider. Escamilla has served on three Lynnwood boards and committees, and is actively engaged in youth programming in the city.

In her current campaign, Escamilla is prioritizing public safety. Her vision for Lynnwood expands beyond just increased police presence, recognizing the need to invest in basics such as transit, housing, youth programming, and infrastructure. In just a year over a year spent on the council, Escamilla has already made strides in Lynnwood's progress. She founded the first Lynnwood Youth Council to encourage youth participation in local government. She also introduced the Pallet Shelter Company to explore quick and sustainable housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness.

Derica Escamilla is a progressive and compassionate leader who has certainly earned your vote to serve another term on the Lynnwood City Council.