Key Points
- Impending Vacancy: Tacoma Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell, representing District 5, will create a vacancy on the City Council should he win his bid for the Washington State House of Representatives.
- Legislative Ambitions: Bushnell is running to represent the 29th District in the state House of Representatives.
- Political Landscape: Bushnell, first elected to the City Council in 2021, is currently facing competition from lawyer and senior policy director Patrick Stickney in the race for the 29th District seat.
- Primary Results: Recent primary election results suggest a tight contest, with Bushnell narrowly leading Stickney.
- Appointment Process: Per municipal procedures, the Tacoma City Council would be tasked with appointing a successor to fill the remainder of any vacated term.
Tacoma (Evening Washington News) August 17, 2026 – Tacoma Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell stands at a political crossroads as his campaign for the Washington State House of Representatives gains momentum, raising critical questions regarding the future of his seat on the Tacoma City Council.
Who is Joe Bushnell and what is his current role in Tacoma?
Joe Bushnell, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and the first Cambodian-American council member in Tacoma’s history, has served as the representative for District 5 since his election in 2021. His district encompasses significant portions of the South End, South Tacoma, and the Eastside. Beyond his legislative duties at the municipal level, Bushnell currently holds the position of Deputy Mayor, playing a central role in the city’s governance and policy initiatives.
Why is there a possibility of a vacancy on the City Council?
The potential for a vacancy arises from Bushnell’s candidacy for the Washington State House of Representatives. He is vying to represent the state’s 29th Legislative District. Should he emerge victorious in the general election this November, he will be required to vacate his position on the Tacoma City Council, as holding both offices simultaneously is constitutionally and procedurally impermissible under local and state governance standards.
How tight is the race for the 29th Legislative District?
The race to represent the 29th District has proven to be highly competitive. As reported by The Tacoma News Tribune, Bushnell secured approximately 300 more votes than his primary opponent, Patrick Stickney, in this month’s primary election. Stickney, a lawyer who currently serves as the senior policy and legislative affairs director for the state’s Office of Equity, remains a formidable challenger. Another candidate, Natasha Laitila, finished closely behind in the primary, trailing Stickney by only 173 votes as of August 13, 2026. These figures suggest that the upcoming general election will be a closely contested affair, with neither candidate taking the win for granted.
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What is the process for filling a vacancy on the Tacoma City Council?
In the event that Bushnell secures the state legislative seat and resigns his council position, the City of Tacoma will be required to initiate a formal process to fill the resulting vacancy. Under the city’s Council-Manager form of government, the City Council is responsible for appointing an interim successor.
Historically, such processes involve an open application period where residents of the affected district (in this case, District 5) are invited to apply. Following the application phase, the remaining council members conduct interviews and ultimately vote to appoint an individual to serve the remainder of the vacated term. The appointee must meet specific residency requirements, residing within the boundaries of District 5, to be eligible for the seat.
What are the stakes for District 5?
The potential departure of a sitting Deputy Mayor and District 5 representative carries significant weight for the local community. Bushnell has been a vocal proponent of several key city initiatives, including housing affordability measures like “Home in Tacoma 2” and various public safety investments. His transition to the state legislature, if successful, would necessitate a seamless hand-off of these priorities.
As noted by Ballotpedia in their tracking of the 2026 election cycle, Bushnell has leveraged his experience in military service and small business advocacy to shape his political platform. Whether the City Council seeks an appointee who mirrors his specific policy focus or one who brings a different perspective to the dais remains a question for the future. For the residents of the South End, South Tacoma, and the Eastside, the coming months will be a period of close observation as the legislative race reaches its conclusion and the potential for a municipal transition becomes clearer.
As the November election approaches, the political future of Joe Bushnell remains a focal point for Tacoma’s municipal leadership and its electorate alike. With both his current seat and a potential new role in the state capital at stake, the 29th District race continues to be one of the most closely watched contests in the region.
