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Snohomish County EDMONDS City Council Position 3

The City Council is the legislative body for the City. The Council adopts local laws (ordinances) to secure the safety and assist the well-being of the city residents, the city s physical environment and amenities, and the city economy. The Council is responsible for approving financial expenditures and adopting the city budget as well as establishing policies and regulations in order to guide the city s future. The elected mayor serves as chief administrative officer for the city.

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  • Candidate picture

    Joseph Ademofe
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Erika Barnett
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Alex Newman
    (NP)

Biographical Information

What are your top priorities for this office? Please explain.

Given competing and conflicting priorities, what factors will guide your finance and budgeting decisions?

What changes, if any, would you like to see concerning how the city is run?

What will you do to support a vibrant economy?

What actions, if any, should your city take to address diversity, equity and inclusion policies and practices?

Phone 6012071234
Email info@electjosephademofe.com
Town where you live Edmonds
Experience (300 characters max) Security Personnel at University of Washington (2012-Present), Homeland Security (2015-2018), Head Men's Soccer Coach Shoreline Community College (2017-2020), MA in International Studies UW (2024), BA in Political Science (2012), DEIA Commissioner in City of Edmonds, WA (01/2025-Present)
The pressing issues I want to confront are Safety and security, affordable housing, economic development, and environmental protection.

a) I will ensure the safety and security of our community through proactive and responsive leadership. It is highly imperative to continue to educate and support our police department. b) I will increase affordable housing for both renters and homeowners by growing business revenue and easing the burden on property taxpayers. c) I will prioritize protecting our environment as a key part of building a sustainable future for our city.
Our Safety and security should always be non-negotiable as a community. Affordable housing for the poor, low-income earners, the elderly on fixed incomes, and the disabled is a priority as well.
I would encourage our residents to support making some parts of the City commercialized to diversify our revenue streams from property taxes dependency.
a) Supporting local businesses through incentives and tax benefits. b) Encourage our residents to shop locally, boost tourism, and create jobs. c) Transform other parts of our city, like downtown, into a vibrant economic asset. d) Enhanced infrastructure, health, safety, inclusivity, and civic engagement
I strongly believe our city officials should sincerely encourage and advocate for diversity engagement in our municipal politics by reaching out to all people regardless of their backgrounds. That is, the Council member positions should be divided into district formats to exhibit representation equity. Finally, the policy of status quo in the position-making process, specifically in the legislative body (City Council Member positions) must be eradicated from our local politics.
Phone 206-910-9185
Email info@erikaforedmonds.com
Town where you live Edmonds, WA
Experience (300 characters max) Co-owner of Salish Sea Brewing Co. and former Microsoft executive in strategic planning and operations. Edmonds Chamber of Commerce Board Member (former Chair), mom of two, and longtime advocate and fundraiser for local schools, PTAs, Boys & Girls Club, and community programs.
I’m running because I love Edmonds—where my husband and I raised our two kids and built our small business, Salish Sea Brewing Company, a gathering place for residents and visitors alike. My priorities—public safety, fiscal responsibility, and quality of life—reflect my values and what I hear from neighbors. As a mom and downtown business owner, I want every resident to feel safe in their homes and public spaces. That means supporting police, improving walkability, and fostering community trust. I also believe we must be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. As someone who makes payroll and balances budgets for a living, I’ll bring that real-world experience to city budgeting—ensuring transparency, eliminating waste, and planning for long-term stability. I’ll also protect the charm that makes Edmonds special by investing in parks, supporting the arts, and encouraging thoughtful growth that keeps our city vibrant and welcoming for generations to come.
I believe budgeting is more than just balancing numbers—it’s about clarifying outcomes. I’ll prioritize investments that deliver measurable community impact and avoid one-time fixes that leave future gaps. I’ve managed multi-million-dollar budgets at Microsoft and make payroll every month as a small business owner. That gives me a unique ability to cut through noise, focus on what matters, and align spending with both short- and long-term goals. Transparency and accountability will guide every decision I make.
I’d like to see stronger collaboration between city leadership and our community. That includes clearer communication, more consistent follow-through, and better accountability around project outcomes. I also believe we need to modernize some of our systems—like permit timelines and public record responsiveness—to meet the expectations of residents and small business owners. I bring both corporate and entrepreneurial experience to the table and would advocate for smart process improvements that enhance service without adding unnecessary costs.
A thriving Edmonds economy depends on supporting both our small businesses and attracting outside dollars through tourism and events. As a local employer with 30+ staff, I know the challenges businesses face—from rising costs to regulatory hurdles. I’ll work to ensure local policies foster business success rather than burden it. I also support strategies that grow our visitor economy—like the arts, waterfront activation, and downtown events—so we can increase revenue without overtaxing residents.
Edmonds should be a place where everyone feels safe, heard, and welcome. That begins with listening—to residents, businesses, and community groups—about their lived experiences. I support equity reviews of city services and believe we must ensure access to housing, transportation, and public spaces works for all. As a woman business owner in a male-dominated industry, I know representation matters. I will bring a voice of inclusion to council and advocate for policies that reflect the diversity of our community.
My top priorities are public safety, affordability, and environmental protection. I’m running to bring a new generation of leadership to Edmonds, someone who listens, shows up, and focuses on results. We all deserve safe neighborhoods, places where we can raise families, work, and retire without financial stress, and enjoy the natural areas that drew us to this community in the first place. I will prioritize inclusive decision-making, responsible stewardship of resources, and ensuring Edmonds remains a place that anyone can make their home.
As a nonprofit executive with experience managing emergency response operations, I understand how to weigh competing needs while staying grounded in outcomes and values. Public services are always my #1 priority - we must protect our parks, public lands, and services that make Edmonds the place we all choose to call home. I will be guided by three core principles: transparency, community input, and long-term impact. Budgeting should reflect what matters most to Edmonds residents. We must avoid one-time fixes that delay hard choices, like the disastrous proposal to sell off our parks.
We need to modernize how the city communicates, plans, and builds public trust. That means clearer outreach about budgets and decisions, stronger community engagement, especially with underserved groups, and better tools for data and planning. I’d also like to see more proactive collaboration with community partners and regional stakeholders. Change starts with leadership that listens and follows through.
Edmonds’ economy thrives when our small businesses and local workers succeed. I support strategies that make it easier to start and grow businesses, like simplifying permitting and investing in infrastructure, and making Edmonds affordable for seniors to stay here, young families to move here, and renters to make our city their home. I also want to strengthen public spaces and walkable neighborhoods that draw visitors and serve residents. My experience leading multi-sector partnerships has taught me that economic vitality depends on collaboration, livability, and planning for our future.
Edmonds should strengthen its commitment to equity by improving how it gathers public input, expanding access to city services, and evaluating policies by asking: what serves everyone, including the most vulnerable among us? We need wholistic outreach, youth engagement, and stronger connections with communities often left out of local government. I’ve worked with refugee, senior, and low-income populations during emergency response missions and know that inclusion is not just the right thing to do, it leads to better outcomes for everyone.