Mark Solomon (American politician)
Mark Solomon | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Seattle City Council from the 2nd district | |
| Assumed office January 27, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Tammy Morales |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Beacon Hill, Seattle |
| Alma mater | Seattle University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1983 - 2012 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Mark Solomon is an American politician and bureaucrat from Seattle, Washington. He was appointed to the Seattle City Council in January 2025.
Early life and education
Solomon was born in Seattle, Washington and lived in the Beacon Hill neighborhood.[1] He graduated from Seattle University then served seven years in the United States Air Force as an intelligence analyst.[1][2] Solomon then left active duty and moved back to Seattle and became a Crime Prevention Coordinator at the Seattle Police Department and a reservist at Joint Base Lewis–McChord.[1][2]
Seattle City Council
2019 election
In 2019, Solomon announced he would run for Seattle City Council in District 2 after the incumbent Bruce Harrell announced he would not seek reelection.[1][3] Mayor Jenny Durkan endorsed Solomon before the primary and accused his opponent, community organizer Tammy Morales, of being a socialist.[4] In the August primary, Solomon came in second with 23%, advancing to the general election with Morales, who came in first with 50%.[5]
Solomon focused his campaign on public safety, highlighting his experience in policing and efforts to prevent displacement in neighborhoods.[1][6] Morales focused her campaign on fighting the impacts of systemic racism and supported a head tax for Seattle corporations, legislation opposed by Amazon.[6][7] The election received national attention after Amazon donated $1.45 million to candidates in response to Morales and other candidates support of a head tax.[8][9] Solomon received $30,000 from the Amazon backed PAC.[10]
In the November general election, Morales defeated Solomon, 60.47% to 39.08%.[11]
2025 appointment
In December 2024, Tammy Morales announced she would resign from the Seattle City Council on January 1, 2025, citing bullying and gaslighting from her fellow councilmembers.[12][13] Solomon was one of six finalist for the appoinment, and after five rounds of voting, Solomon was appointed on January 27, 2025.[13][14][15] He stated he would not run in the November general election to fill the seat for the rest of the term because he did not want to be "distracted by trying to do the work and running to keep the job."[13][14]
Electoral history
2019 election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Tammy Morales | 10,630 | 50.07% | |
| Nonpartisan | Mark Solomon | 4,923 | 23.19% | |
| Nonpartisan | Ari Hoffman | 2,451 | 11.54% | |
| Nonpartisan | Phyllis Porter | 1,254 | 5.91% | |
| Nonpartisan | Chris Peguero | 1,000 | 4.71% | |
| Nonpartisan | Omari Tahir-Garrett | 607 | 2.86% | |
| Nonpartisan | Henry Dennison | 304 | 1.43% | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in | 61 | 0.29% | |
| Turnout | 22,172 | 37.80% | ||
| Registered electors | 58,655 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Tammy Morales | 16,379 | 60.47% | |
| Nonpartisan | Mark Solomon | 10,586 | 39.08% | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in | 121 | 0.45% | |
| Turnout | 28,400 | 47.82% | ||
| Registered electors | 59,389 | |||
References
- ^ a b c d e Barry, Natalie (July 5, 2019). "Meet the District 2 Candidates: Mark Solomon". South Seattle Emerald. Archived from the original on June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Robertson, Kipp (January 27, 2025). "Mark Solomon steps into Seattle City Council role left vacant by Tammy Morales". King5. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ "Candidates running for Seattle City Council in 2019". My Northwest. February 15, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Radill, Amy (July 25, 2019). "Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan calls a council candidate a socialist but dismisses charge of 'red-baiting'". KUOW. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ a b "King County Official Final, Primary Election" (PDF). King County Elections. November 26, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- ^ a b Archibald, Ashley; Edge, Lisa (September 25, 2019). "Vying for Votes: Interview with City Council District 2 candidate Mark Solomon". Real Change News. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Brown, Karina (November 7, 2019). "Amazon's Attempt to Flip Seattle City Council Appears to Be Flopping as Votes Are Tallied". Court House News Service. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- ^ Gollden, Hallie (November 6, 2019). "Seattle race between socialist and Amazon-backed candidate too close to call". The Guardian. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Nickelsburg, Monica (October 24, 2019). "Activists and politicians protest Amazon spending on Seattle elections: 'The country is watching'". Geek Wire. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Kroman, David (December 10, 2019). "The story behind Amazon's failed $1 million bid to swing Seattle's election". Cascade PBS. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ a b "King County Official Final, General Election" (PDF). King County Elections. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
- ^ Barnett, Erica C. (December 4, 2024). "City Councilmember Tammy Morales Will Leave the Council In January". Publicola. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c Campbell, Katie; Gasca, Noel (January 27, 2025). "Seattle City Council taps SPD crime prevention coordinator to fill District 2 seat". KUOW. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Allen, Aaron (April 3, 2025). "Newly Appointed City Councilmember Mark Solomon Steps Into Role With Bold Vision And Clear Priorities". The Seattle Medium. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ^ Cohen, Josh (January 17, 2025). "Here are the six finalists for Seattle City Council's vacant seat". Cascade PBS. Retrieved June 1, 2025.