By Mario Lotmore  |  Lynnwood Time Staff

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., January 4, 2021 – At today’s Snohomish County Council Administrative Session, Lynnwood resident and County Council District 3 representative, Stephanie Wright was elected unanimously by fellow councilmembers as Chair for the year 2021.

Wright was nominated by Councilman Jared Mead (D) of District 4 and seconded by Councilmember Sam Low (R) of District 5. She was the only councilmember nominated as chair and elected unanimously by fellow councilmembers including former chair, Nate Nehring, and Councilwoman Megan Dunn.

In a parting address to the council, former Snohomish Council Chair, Nehring reflected on the synergy of the council and its numerous accomplishments over the past year.

“One of the things I will always remember in a very positive way was how this council worked together,” said Nehring. “I feel really blessed to have the opportunity to Chair this past year. I know it sounds kinda cliché but it really was entirely a team effort.

“I have only been around for a few years but I can tell you I have heard horror stories of previous councils and certainly councils in other areas of the state don’t get along or don’t get things done. Everything I hear of those stories make me so grateful to be a part of this great team and what we have been able to accomplish together particularly over this past year, whether it has been public response to COVID, appropriating CARES Act funds, working to support small businesses and residents in need, as well as the civil unrest we seen and the opportunity as a council to hear from our community members what can be done differently and what we can improve as a county.”

Nehring added that the county has benefited greatly with Wright’s leadership over the past year.

“Your knowledge and your deep background of all sort of aspects of county government, you have been a tremendous help to me this past year, Nehring said. “As chair of the board of Health you have been a key leader throughout this pandemic.”

Wright thanked Nehring for his leadership and commented that he did an excellent job.

“Thank you for your leadership, said Wright. “You have done and amazing job. You have been calm and steadfast and worked with all the councilmembers and staff…you have done a stella job. So, looking back at your time as chair, you should be proud for all you have done for the county. Again, navigating us through such a unique and historic time. It has been a pleasure to work with you. I really enjoyed working with you be it budget or chair, whatever the task I have enjoyed working with you. Thank you for your services last year you’ve done a really excellent job.”

Wright was elected to the Snohomish County council in 2010.  She was the 2020 Council Vice-Chair, Chair of the Finance and Economic Development Committee, and Chair of the Snohomish County Health District Board. She also serves on the Community Transit Board, Aerospace Task Force, and Conservation Futures Board.

For the Puget Sound Regional Council, Wright serves on the Operations, Economic Development, and Executive Committees.  For the Washington State Association of Counties, she is on the Legislative Steering Committee and as their representative to the Western Interstate Regional Board of Directors. 

For the National Association of Counties, Wright is currently Vice Chair of the International Economic Development Task Force, as well as on the Community Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee, Large Urban County Caucus, and Veterans and Military Services Committee.

Prior to serving on the county council, Wright was a high school teacher at Woodinville High School, a librarian in the Northshore School District, and served on the Lynnwood City Council.