Seattle Councilmembers Juarez, Pedersen, and Nelson endorse Bob Kettle in District 7 race

Update: A few days following Councilmember Debora Juarez's endorsement of Seattle council candidate Bob Kettle, Councilmember Alex Pedersen has come forth with the same support.

“I’m supporting Bob Kettle for City Council," Pedersen said in a statement. "For Seattle to succeed, we need a reliable majority on the City Council focused firmly on the basics – public safety and fiscal responsibility. Bob Kettle is dedicated to bringing that pragmatic focus to the City Council.”

Kettle is running for the council's District 7 against incumbent Andrew Lewis. Kettle now has support from current Councilmembers Juarez, Pedersen, and Sara Nelson.

Lewis has endorsements from Councilmembers Lisa Herbold and Teresa Mosqueda.

Original report

In the wake of the primary election, Seattle City Council President Debora Juarez has come out in support of Bob Kettle, who seeks to unseat her colleague on the dais, Councilmember Andrew Lewis.

Juarez is not the only member on the dais who has come out in support of Lewis' competition. Councilmember Sara Nelson has also endorsed Kettle.

Lewis is running for reelection in Seattle's District 7. As of Aug. 8, he has taken in 43.5% of the vote. Kettle came in second with nearly 32%.

“If Bob Kettle can serve and protect America, as he has done, I know he can represent the good people of Seattle," Juarez said in a statement. "He’ll bring principled leadership gained in the Navy, and built upon as a community leader here in Seattle.”

“I’m endorsing Bob because this ‘Girl Dad’ will fight for the most marginalized people in our community. He’ll include our young people, listen to the concerns of his constituents, and help us deliver ground-level results.”

Kettle's campaign is hyping Juarez's support and pointing out that Lewis took in under 50% of the primary vote, which it argues is an "ominous sign" for an incumbent. Of the three incumbents in the primary, Lewis did take in the lowest percentage of votes. Dan Strauss in District 6, and Tammy Morales in District 2, both currently have 52% of votes in their respective districts.

Lewis' campaign also boasts a couple of council member endorsements of its own. According to the campaign's website, Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda and Lisa Herbold have both backed the incumbent. Mosqueda currently aims to move over the King County Council and is campaigning for that seat on the November ballot. She took in 58% of the primary vote for County Council District 8. Herbold represents Seattle's District 1 and is stepping down from office after her current term, which concludes at the end of this year.

Juarez represents District 5 on the council. She is not running for reelection and will leave office after this year. Nelson represents Position 9, which is an at-large seat. Her current term runs through 2024.

KUOW has reached out to Andrew Lewis' campaign for a comment.