LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council selected the following eight finalists to interview to fill the Position 6 vacancy after voters elected Councilman George Hurst as mayor in November 2025. The City Council will interview the eight applicants on the evening of Tuesday, January 20, with an anticipated final decision on Monday, January 26. The appointed Council Member’s first meeting will be on Monday, February 2, 2026.
Chelsea Wright, Contract Specialist with Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Chelsea Wright, a contract specialist with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, reapplies for the Lynnwood City Council to represent underrepresented voices as a Black woman, mother and volunteer. As chair of the city’s DEI Commission, she aims to bring outspoken advocacy, community listening and diverse perspectives to the table.
A Lynnwood resident since 2012, Wright has served on the DEI Commission for over two years, focusing on inclusivity. In her role with LNI’s Work Equity Research Center, she co-creates projects to improve outcomes for underserved workers, previously handling procurements and supplier diversity under RCW 39.26.
Wright participates in LNI’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging committee, Women’s Resource Group and B.U.I.L.D. She holds certifications in DEI, Lean Six Sigma and IDI administration. Personally, she advised on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Early Hearing Detection & Intervention as a mother of a Deaf son, and leads sorority chapters promoting health, wellness and education.
Catherine “Cathy” Louise Baylor, former Legislative Liaison for Washington State National Organization for Women
Catherine “Cathy” Louise Baylor, a former legislative liaison for the Washington State National Organization for Women, seeks the Lynnwood City Council role to guide the city’s growth with equity and compassion. A nearly six-decade resident, she has witnessed Lynnwood’s evolution and aims to support policies on housing, arts and services for children, seniors and diverse communities.
Baylor monitored state legislation for NOW, analyzing bills on equity and leading endorsement efforts. She operated a home-based piano studio for over 20 years, serving as president of music teachers’ associations and organizing festivals.
Her caregiving for her late mother familiarized her with local senior services. Baylor ran for school board in 2018, led the Salish Sea Chapter of the Federation of Democratic Women and presented on intergenerational trauma as a Certified First Generation descendant of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe. She volunteered on the Lynnwood Library Board, in schools and early childhood programs.
Noel Baca, a Superintendent for a construction company
Noel Baca, a superintendent for a construction company and longtime Lynnwood resident, has expressed interest in an appointment to Position 6 on the Lynnwood City Council, citing his desire to give back to the community where he has lived for nearly 30 years. In a letter outlining his qualifications, Baca highlights his management experience and community involvement as key assets that could help guide the city’s growth and prosperity.
Since moving to Lynnwood from New Mexico in 1996, Baca has raised a family and enjoyed the city’s access to shopping, youth programs, schools and recreational opportunities. He currently serves on the Lynnwood Planning Commission, building on earlier volunteer work coaching youth baseball and hockey, as well as roles on committees for the Structural Engineers Association of Washington and Habitat for Humanity of King County.
Baca’s professional background includes positions in project and construction management, where he honed skills in tackling complex issues, overseeing schedules and budgets, and leading diverse teams of tradespeople and design professionals. His civil engineering degree further equips him to address infrastructure challenges like utilities, roadways, facilities and transportation. He views the council role as a chance to apply these abilities in service to the city he calls home.
Richard Wright, Project Manager
Richard Wright, a project manager, seeks appointment to the Lynnwood City Council to provide experienced leadership amid the city’s growth, drawing on his extensive background in planning and community collaboration. After completing three terms on the Lynnwood Planning Commission, including time as chair, Wright aims to continue his service by applying institutional knowledge to address land-use challenges, infrastructure needs and public trust.
His tenure on the commission involved working with commissioners, council liaisons, city staff and residents to balance neighborhood preservation with economic development and growth pressures. This experience, under two mayors, deepened his grasp of policy intersections and the council’s role in transparent, long-term decision-making.
Wright also chaired the Industry Advisory Board for Edmonds Community College’s Construction Management Department from 2003 to 2015, securing a $500,000 state grant for a trades center. He represented the 3rd Council District on Snohomish County’s Campus Redevelopment Initiative from 2003 to 2006, contributing to planning for county buildings and gathering community input.
Jacob “Jake” Berger, Propulsion Engineer and SPEEA Representative
Jacob “Jake” Berger, a propulsion engineer and SPEEA union representative, is applying for the Lynnwood City Council to foster a prosperous, diverse and vibrant community for his family and future generations. He plans to support walkable urban development, regional cooperation and worker rights, leveraging his union experience to enhance public transport and labor policies.
Berger proposes expanding Sound Transit’s 513 line to the Boeing Everett factory, adding bike lanes around the campus and extending light rail to Alderwood Mall to reduce car dependency and boost transit hubs. He emphasizes collaboration with neighboring cities like Seattle and Everett, aided by his regional union ties.
As an elected SPEEA council officer and committee chair, Berger has chaired meetings, managed budgets, written legislation and hosted town halls. His community efforts include organizing for state bills like SB 5041 on striker unemployment, petitioning for transit expansions and leading food drives. With a background in engineering and urban planning studies, he focuses on increasing public transit and city density to drive economic vitality and diversity.
Paula Ferreira-Smith, a Right of Way Agent in construction sector
Paula Ferreira-Smith, a right of way agent in the construction sector, wants to join the Lynnwood City Council to share her expertise in public projects and help monitor taxpayer funds for community benefit. Currently a senior right of way agent for the City of Seattle, she brings years of experience with federally funded initiatives in transportation, utilities and housing across multiple states.
Her work involves coordinating with local, state and federal agencies on acquisitions, relocations and occupancy under the Uniform Act. In 2019, Housing Hope recognized her as Employee of the Month for relocating nine families during low-income housing rehabilitation.
Ferreira-Smith has volunteered at cold weather shelters and a senior center in 2017. She developed interest in local involvement while consulting for Lynnwood, aiming to collaborate on decisions that positively impact residents and project developments.
Hannah “Han” McDonald, Program Officer for a bioscience research company
Hannah “Han” McDonald, a program officer for a bioscience research company, seeks the Lynnwood City Council seat to promote inclusive, data-driven governance that ensures growth benefits all residents. As a millennial, queer person and first-time homeowner, McDonald draws on her science philanthropy background to bridge evidence and compassion in policies on housing, sustainability and social services.
McDonald’s career involves directing funding to scientific needs, assessing impacts and training researchers, skills she sees translating to smarter city investments. McDonald values representation and visibility, aiming to make Lynnwood welcoming for diverse backgrounds through equitable leadership.
Raised in a service-oriented family, she has volunteered in science outreach like library experiments for kids, Letters to a Pre-Scientist and Geek Girl Con. McDonald mentors at Mount Holyoke College and engages with organizations like Breakthrough T1D for type 1 diabetes support
Quinn Marcus Van Order, Systems Engineer
Quinn Marcus Van Order, a systems engineer, is pursuing the Lynnwood City Council position to advocate for privacy, balanced budgets and community inclusivity, inspired by his long interest in local politics. Since buying a condo in 2021, he has focused on city-level impact, opposing mass surveillance like the Flock system and accelerating his plans due to the vacancy.
Van Order leads the DeFlockLynnwood campaign against warrantless surveillance and serves on the Lynnwood Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts board, volunteering at urban forestry events. As president of his condominium association, he has managed a budget crisis, litigation and multi-million-dollar reconstruction, establishing vendor ties and hosting communications.
His early involvement included anti-war protests, Obama campaign work and a 2010 state senate race. Professionally, he brings IT infrastructure knowledge, aiding city staff on email issues and promising informed scrutiny of tech vendors.
Author: Mario Lotmore
