SHORELINE—Shoreline City Councilmember and Mayor Chris Roberts has announced his candidacy for King County Assessor, aiming to bring integrity, transparency, and effective leadership to an office currently overshadowed by controversy. Roberts, a four-term councilmember with 16 years of experience, launched his campaign with strong support from over 60 local and elected leaders, positioning himself as a candidate focused on accountability and public service.
Roberts emphasized his extensive experience in local government as a key qualification for the role.
“As a longtime councilmember, I’ve helped lead Shoreline through tremendous change, providing steady oversight and management of city staff during some of our most challenging years,” he said. “Our county deserves a leader who listens, leads with humility, and fights for everyone, not just the well-connected.”
Roberts highlighted his commitment to improving the processing of senior and low-income property tax exemptions to help residents stay in their homes, stating, “King County deserves an office that works for the people, not around them.”
If elected, Roberts would make history as the first Native American to serve in an elected King County government position. His campaign has garnered endorsements from prominent figures, including King County Councilmembers Girmay Zahilay and Rod Dembowski, State Senator Javier Valdez, State Representatives Chris Stearns, Lauren Davis, and Amy Walen, Port Commissioners Fred Felleman and Ryan Calkins, and former King County Assessor Lloyd Hara, among others.
Roberts’ announcement comes at a time when the current King County Assessor, John Arthur Wilson, faces serious legal challenges that have raised questions about his fitness for office from members of the King County Council and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell who have called for him to resign.
“This is an escalation with him being arrested and put in the King County Jail, but it is not acceptable, and it hasn’t been acceptable for a long time, and that’s why I’m again repeating my call for him to step down from his position,” King County Councilman Claudia Balducci told KOMO News. “The message it sends to women, to survivors of domestic abuse and domestic violence, that somebody just continues to serve in a high-ranking position with no accountability is terrible.”
Wilson, who is serving his third term as assessor and is currently running for King County Executive, was arrested by Seattle police for investigation of stalking and violating a court order on Wednesday, July 2. A judge set his bail at $50,000 following his arrest outside the home of his former fiancé, Lee Keller, who has obtained two restraining orders against him. The bail was set lower than the $100,000 requested by prosecutors, citing Wilson’s lack of prior criminal record and no history of physical violence.
Keller told the court that Wilson violated the most recent restraining order by posting a photo of her on LinkedIn, along with “disparaging remarks and personal information intended to intimidate, stalk and harass.” She also reported that Wilson texted her hundreds of times and appeared at her home and events she attended.
Speaking to reporters after Wilson’s bail hearing, Keller described the ordeal: “It’s awful to feel trapped in your home and scared about what’s going to happen next and to feel like I’m constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering what’s going to happen.”
Wilson has denied Keller’s allegations, stating he has “never engaged in any form of domestic violence.”
No criminal charges have been filed yet, and his next court appearance is scheduled for July 8, when the case may be transferred to the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
As Roberts campaigns to replace Wilson, his focus remains on restoring public trust in the assessor’s office.
“People should expect more from their leaders, not less,” Roberts said, signaling his intent to prioritize accountability and community needs if elected.
To learn more about Chris Roberts and his campaign for King County Assessor, visit https://electroberts.com/.
Author: Mario Lotmore
