From left, Megan Dunn, Kristina Mitchell and Georgia Fisher.

From left, Megan Dunn, Kristina Mitchell and Georgia Fisher.

Challengers to Dunn seat aim to tip balance on Snohomish County Council

Democrat Megan Dunn holds Position 2. Georgia Fisher and Kristina Mitchell, who have Republican ties, aim to unseat her.

EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council often votes along party lines, and this election could flip which party comes out on top.

Currently, three of the five council members prefer the Democratic party and plenty of votes mirror that 3-2 split, but Position 2, held by Democrat Megan Dunn, is up for grabs this year.

Dunn, the only woman on the council, has two challengers: Georgia Fisher and Kristina A. Mitchell.

Georgia Fisher, 73, is a proud Republican. Fisher is coming out of retirement to challenge Dunn. She said she briefly considered running for Everett City Council, but wants to “have a bigger influence.”

Kristina Mitchell, 38, believes the County Council should be devoid of party politics, although she has a history of working on Republican campaigns.

As far as contributions go, Megan Dunn has raised the most with nearly $37,000, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Fisher has about one-third of that with nearly $12,700, and Mitchell trails with $4,300.

Position 3 on the County Council is also up for election this cycle, but Democrat Strom Peterson is unchallenged after being appointed last fall. Peterson’s seat and Position 4, held by Democrat Jared Mead, will stay blue. Nate Nehring and Sam Low are not up for reelection this cycle, so those seats will remain red.

Whoever wins the race for Position 2 — representing Mukilteo, Everett and Tulalip — could shift the party lines in their favor. County councilmembers make over $137,000 per year.

Megan Dunn

Position 2 has never been held by a Republican.

In 2019, Dunn ran on housing affordability and sustainability, beating Republican Anna Rohrbough with 54.79% of the vote for the vacant seat. More than 34,000 ballots were cast.

Dunn, who holds biology and policy studies degrees, is proud of the work she has done on the comprehensive plan, the ongoing creation of a Veterans Treatment Court and the new county health department. In March, Dunn was elected chair of the health department’s board.

Although she aimed to do more environmental work, the pandemic took priority.

Now, the repercussions of what she calls “the Blake 2.0 decision” — an overhaul of the state law guiding penalties and treatment options for people caught possessing illegal drugs or using them in public — may take center stage.

“I’ll keep working on some environmental issues, but I think the big shift coming up is going to be working on treatment and recovery courts, so we have a process for justice-involved people that are in need of treatment,” Dunn said.

Megan Dunn

Megan Dunn

She said public safety and improving the criminal justice system are the most important issues.

Last year, Dunn voted in favor of purchasing two hotels to use them as low-barrier homeless shelters. The vote split the council 3-2.

“These are partisan positions and that was a vote down party lines,” Dunn said. “We are hearing very clearly from the community that we need to work on homelessness and housing, and Democrats are the only ones willing to step up and offer solutions and support and vote for those solutions.”

She continued: “That’s why it’s also just really critical that we have someone with those progressive values — the values of this district — to support housing and transitional housing for our homeless neighbors, and get people into shelter and off of the street.”

Georgia Fisher

On the contrary, Fisher vehemently disagrees with the county’s choice to purchase the two hotels.

“I would have been against it,” Fisher said. “That would have changed the vote from from three to two — a different three to two.”

Fisher said low-barrier entry to housing “is equivalent to no-barrier entry,” and tax dollars should not be used to fund places that “will not help people.”

Fisher objects to the Housing First model — a belief that the top priority is for people to be safely housed, even if they’re still struggling with addiction and other issues. Instead, she would like to see more public-private partnerships, so the private entities can run their own treatment programs as they deem fit.

She grew up in California but moved to Snohomish County in her late 30s to work for Boeing. Fisher, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Phoenix, has been a local Republican Precinct Committee Officer since 2019 and served two terms as the 21st Legislative District Chair.

She said she is running because the community is “going downhill.”

Georgia Fisher

Georgia Fisher

“It used to be this place was the most gorgeous place on earth, and lately, it certainly is not that,” Fisher said. “Now, there’s homelessness, crime, graffiti everywhere. Not too many years ago, you never saw that. It just wasn’t here. It was rare. And now it’s everywhere all the time. And that’s why I say the simple answer is leadership. It’s not getting done.”

Fisher said she’s worried about the growing fentanyl crisis.

“Just two hours ago, I was talking to Sheriff Adam Fortney and the issue of fentanyl coming both from our southern border and our northern border,” Fisher said. “I talk to the people who do the job. I know the problem. The solutions are tough, and we have to engage them, but we’re not. That’s why I object to the Housing First program.”

She continued, saying the Pallet shelters in Everett also won’t work and are “wasted money.”

Ultimately, Fisher is focused on a short list of top issues.

“We could talk about another policy, but that’s the main one that’s affecting everyone — that’s their number one issue: Crime, safety and declining city,” Fisher said.

Kristina Mitchell

Mitchell also thinks public safety is the biggest issue facing the county.

She wants to renegotiate police contracts and get “more units on the road.” Mitchell said she wants more funding for police. More than 75% of the county’s 2023 budget is dedicated to public safety and law enforcement.

Mitchell was born and raised in Snohomish County, and has spent most of her career in education.

She said she wants to run for County Council to keep the seat apolitical.

“I truly believe that I’m nonpartisan,” Mitchell said. “There’s really not a lot of party politics that should be on the council.”

However, Mitchell has a history working with at least nine Republican campaigns, from U.S. Senate to state governor.

Kristina Mitchell

Kristina Mitchell

Mitchell’s website also explains she wanted to run for County Council because she feels it’s her best option.

“First, I have no idea what I would do as a commissioner,” Mitchell’s website reads, laying out reasons why she would not run for school board or city positions. “My only option is a county seat, which is extremely important, because we in UN-Incorporated Snohomish Counties, do not have much of a voice. Neither does most of the silent majority of those who need more of a moderate, neutral open-minded voice at a local and state level.”

Mitchell has not served in elected office before, but she said she teaches civics in the Mukilteo School District.

“I chose no party politics because people need to see what it is to be a representative for everybody,” Mitchell said.

The top two candidates from the Aug. 1 primary will move on to the general election Nov. 7.

Kayla J. Dunn: 425-339-3449; kayla.dunn@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @KaylaJ_Dunn.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.