It’s three weeks to the first filing date May 12 for the August primary for
local elections. So far, there are only two declared candidates for three Sammamish City Council seats up for election this year.
Only one of the three incumbents announced election plans; two others haven’t decided if they will seek reelection.
By Miki Mullor
Editor
Sammamish Chamber of Commerce President Karen McKnight announced candidacy for Sammamish city council, a filing with the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) reveals.
According to her LinkedIn profile, McKnight is a Managing Broker at Keller Williams Eastside and a top producing, award winning realtor at Keller Williams Realty, Windermere Real Estate and the Heller Company.
Planning Commissioner Rituja Indapure, who ran for Sammamish City Council in 2017, has announced today on her Facebook page a campaign for city council in 2019.
After losing the 2017 to Council Member Chris Ross, Indapure was appointed in 2018 to the Planning Commission by City Council.
Indapure is the first person to announce candidacy for the city council in the November 2019 election.
She, along with Ross, won the 2017 August primary in a three person race. Ross received about 52% of the primary vote and went on to win the general election by a similar margin.
The Comment endorsed Indapure in that race.
This year, three seats are up for election, held by incumbents Mayor Christie Malchow, Tom Hornish, each completing their first terms; and Ramiro Valderrama, who is completing his second term. None has indicated reelection plans.
She has not indicated which seat she will seek.
Indapure’s 2017 questionnaires:
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Sammamish Council Member Pam Stuart told the Master Builders Assn. before the 2017 city council election that she supported upzoning for higher density.
Sammamish Council Member Pam Stuart
In a questionnaire the MBA sent to candidates throughout the region, Stuart—who was making her first run for political office—said she would not “advocate” for upzoning, however.
The retrospective is relevant today because Stuart last week claimed high density development is environmentally friendly. Her position fails to take into account the realities of land use zoning, downzoning, “takings” and political opposition.
The MBA ultimately supported Stuart in her election. This support became a point of contention with Stuart’s opponent, John Robinson, in the council race last year. Continue reading
Mark Baughman
Two candidates who were defeated for Sammamish City Council were named last night to the Planning Commission.
Mark Baughman and Rituja Indapure received the nod from the Council.
Baughman ran against Jason Ritchie for Position 1. Indapure ran against Chris Ross for Position 5.
Rituja Indapure
Baughman and Indapure answered candidate questionnaires from Sammamish Comment, providing a good understanding of their positions on issues. Links are below the jump.
The Planning Commission is the first stop for changes to the Comprehensive Plan, land use, traffic and related issues.
Sammamish Comment 