Seattle Council chooses Abel Pacheco to replace exiting CM Johnson
Apr 22, 2019, 5:18 PM | Updated: 5:45 pm
Abel Pacheco accepts his placement to the District 4 seat on the Seattle City Council, April 22, 2019. (Seattle Channel)
(Seattle Channel)
The Seattle City Council has filled the position 4 seat that was recently vacated by Councilmember Rob Johnson.
With five votes, 31-year-old Abel Pacheco was selected by the council for the temporary seven-month gig. He was sworn in at the council’s meeting Monday afternoon.
“There are two people I want to thank who aren’t with me right now, and those are my parents,” Pacheco said. “It’s been both their love that has inspired everything that I have done. My dad who raised me as his own son … and my mom. You all have had the chance to meet her. Unfortunately, she couldn’t be here today, but I know she is watching. I just wanted to say that nine years ago I kissed her on her forehead and I told her I’d make her proud.”
“I thank you all for the opportunity,” he said. “Just as I told her, I hope to make you all proud as well.”
Johnson opted not to run for re-election to the District 4 seat. He then left his council role early this April. The council was charged with replacing him for the rest of the year.
RELATED: Councilmember Johnson resigns from D4 seat
A total of 15 people put their name in for consideration. The council debated the options Monday. Pacheco received support from Councilmembers Bruce Harrell, Sally Bagshaw, Debora Juarez, and Lisa Herbold. Mike O’Brien voted for David Goldberg. Lorena González supported Brooke Brod. And Kshama Sawant wanted Sherae Lascelles for the job.
Pacheco is the director of strategic engagement at the University of Washington’s Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement program. He got choked up after being sworn in as he recalled telling his mom nearly a decade ago that he would make her proud.
Pacheco previously ran for a council seat unsuccessfully and was running again in 2019. He will drop out of the council race to take on the temporary job.
It is unknown how exactly Pacheco will influence the council in his seven month, but it initially seems he favors many causes that Johnson did.
3 years ago I sold my car and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I now find alternative means to get around like biking. It has been my small step to reduce my own carbon footprint. #EarthDay2019 pic.twitter.com/4HDKEigz1D
— Abel Pacheco (@Abel4Seattle) April 22, 2019
