King County assessor John Wilson won’t seek reelection, avoids criminal charges

King County Assessor John Wilson said he will not be running for another term and that he won’t face criminal charges.

Wilson announced, via a statement Tuesday, that the case between him and his former fiancée has been dropped.

“I want to share with you some important news and offer my heartfelt apology for my personal behavior earlier this year. First, all civil actions related to Lee Keller and me have been dismissed. In addition, no criminal charges have been filed. I am greatly relieved that we can all move forward,” he wrote in his statement.

Wilson said he decided not to run for reelection because the county deserves better.

“I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve accomplished and the high-performance culture we have established. But it is time for change. Not for someone running for political expediency, but someone who truly has the best interest of the public at heart,” he wrote.

King County assessor John Wilson drops campaign for county executive

In July, Wilson suspended his campaign for King County executive following his arrest for allegedly stalking Keller and violating a court order to stay away from her.

“In recent weeks, personal matters have drawn attention away from the critical issues that deserve the public’s full focus — issues like public safety, housing affordability, and fair taxation,” Wilson wrote in a statement on July 10. “I believe it is in the best interest of the community to remove any distractions from that conversation.”

Although Wilson was arrested, no charges were filed against him.

Council members call for John Wilson’s resignation

Meanwhile, council members had been calling for Wilson’s resignation for weeks.

“It is clear that John Wilson needs to address his ongoing and escalating behavior and resign as county assessor,” King County Council member Claudia Balducci wrote in a statement in response to Wilson’s arrest. “Alongside advocates for survivors of violence and intimate partner abuse, I have repeatedly called for Wilson to step aside. For too long, we have allowed people in positions of power to be shielded from accountability for abusive behavior. The people and employees of King County deserve better from their leadership.”

Council members went so far as to vote no confidence at a council meeting in June.

“I see it as a pattern, a very dangerous pattern, and certainly not one that we want in our highest levels of government in King County,” King County Council member Girmay Zahilay, running against Wilson for county executive at the time, said.

Lee Keller cements restraining order

Keller previously said in court that she was “very concerned” for her safety.

“I currently have an active restraining order in place, and John Wilson continues to violate it,” she added.

Wilson’s attorney, John Palito, countered, saying, “Ms. Keller has stated John Wilson has never assaulted her. There has never been any threats of physical assault. There are allegations that he violated an order of protection. That’s it. There have been cries for him to quit. He’s not going to.”

Wilson has publicly and repeatedly denied Keller’s claims, describing the legal battle as politically motivated.

“This is a new low point for county politics,” Wilson stated in a Facebook post in June. “And let me state this loud and clear – I have never posed a stalking threat or harassed Ms. Lee Keller, my former fiancée. I have posed no danger to her whatsoever.”

In June, he told KIRO host John Curley that he expected the restraining order to be dismissed soon.

“This is the third time that she has taken some action like this, and each and every time she has withdrawn it before it ever went to court,” Wilson said.

At that point, Keller said in a statement, through her attorneys, that she had no plans to drop the order.

“The restraining order against John Wilson remains in place. I will not be changing my mind, despite his repeated efforts to coerce me to dismiss it,” she wrote.

Wilson apologizes to Keller, public in latest statement

Wilson ended his recent statement by apologizing for his behavior to the public and to his former fiancée, Lee Keller.

“Most importantly, I want to make my sincere apology to my former fiancée Lee Keller. I fell short of standards of behavior I have always tried to practice. I ask her forgiveness. I also apologize to long-time friends like you, colleagues, the fantastic Department of Assessments team, campaign supporters, and the public. I let you down.

Since suspending my campaign for King County Executive, I have taken time to reflect on my actions, their impact, and the important lessons I have learned through this painful albeit public experience.

I allowed ego, pride, and jealousy to override kindness, grace, and thoughtfulness. While I have never intentionally harmed anyone, I have caused pain and turmoil and undermined the trust I have built with so many people, both personally and professionally.

For all of this, I am deeply and truly sorry. Moving forward, I will continue working to become a better person and a more effective leader. I thank you and appreciate your friendship and support through these turbulent times,” he stated.

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