Erwin Drops Out of City Council Race

The will feature only one contested race this fall between two candidates after another candidate dropped out before the June 16 deadline to remove names from the August 16 primary election ballot.

The race for , position 7 will be a contest between current Deputy Mayor El Jahncke and Open Space Conservancy Chair Debbie Bertlin after Boeing Engineer Rich Erwin withdrew his name from the ballot.

"I withdrew because Ms. Bertlin filed and because she is a better candidate," he said. "I think she's had more experience, working with more of the community on the Island."

Bertlin is also a member of the  (SJCC) and worked with the city and the at the June 18 City Council Planning Session held at the Community Center on the group's latest findings.

Bertlin is a First Hill resident and applied seat , but was passed over in favor of Jane Meyer Brahm.

Mercer Island City Council

Position 1

• Jane Meyer Brahm 

Position 3

• Mike Cero 

Position 5

• Bruce Bassett 

Position 7

• El Jahncke
• Debbie Bertlin

Mercer Island School District

Director Position 1

• Pat Braman

Director Position 3

• Brian Emanuels

Director District 5

• Janet Frohnmayer 

Metropolitan King County Council

District 6

• Jane Hague
• Patsy Bonicontri
• John Creighton
• Richard E. Mitchell

Mercer Island positions that are up for election this year are:

Mercer Island City Council positions 1, 3, 5 and 7; Mercer Island School Board director positions 1, 3 and 5; and Metropolitan King, County Council District No. 6

Important upcoming dates and deadlines:

• Monday, July 18 - Deadline to register to vote online or by mail, or to update a registration
• Wednesday, July 27 - Primary election ballots mailed to all King County voters
• Tuesday, August 16 - Election Day deadline to return primary ballots