Jeff Sanderson, who holds position 4 on the Mercer Island City Council, announced that after winning an uncontested race in 2015 and serving a two-year term, he will not seek re-election.

He released the following statement:

“I want to thank the people of Mercer Island for entrusting me with representing our city’s interests on the City Council over the last year-and-a-half. It has been an honor and deeply rewarding experience to serve our community. In this short time, we have tackled an enormous number of important and complex issues.

“After a great deal of thought, I have decided not to seek reelection this Fall. I joined the Council to make progress on two issues: Town Center direction and vitality, and improving communication and input between the Council, City Staff, and the citizens. I can make the greatest impact of those issues working in a focused way outside the Council.

“Our most important accomplishment in the last year has been hiring Julie Underwood as our new City Manager. I have the utmost confidence that with Julie in place, we can have the Council focus on setting policy direction without getting overly involved in the day-to-day management of the City, and our fine City employees doing what they do best: maintaining and improving life on this beautiful and wonderful Island refuge.”