MUKILTEO — Mukilteo City Council President Jason Moon filed on Monday, May 4, to challenge six-term Democratic state Representative Strom Peterson in the 21st Legislative District, setting up a primary contest in Snohomish County that The Lynnwood Times is calling a “must watch” race.
Moon, a 40-year South Snohomish County resident and the first Korean American elected to the Mukilteo council, announced his campaign in March and formally launched it April 26 at the Lynnwood Neighborhood Center. Scores of supporters and community members of all backgrounds turned out for the event, which featured local speakers—Snohomish County PUD Commissioner and former Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julietta Altamirano-Crosby, Lynnwood City Councilman Bryce Owings, Edmonds City Councilwoman Vivian Olson, and Former Mukilteo Mayor and current Mukilteo City Councilman Don Doran—who said Moon is focused, full-time, to represent the 21st.
Moon has pledged to resign from the Mukilteo council if elected, arguing that dual office-holding of his opponent divides attention and prevents full focus on the 21st District, which includes Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mukilteo and parts of Everett.
Peterson, who has represented the district since 2015 and also serves on the Snohomish County Council, kicked off his reelection bid April 9 at the Edmonds waterfront home of millionaire travel writer and public television host Rick Steves. The gathering drew U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and other elected officials, along with community leaders, small-business owners and labor advocates.
The two Democrats offer contrasting profiles. Peterson, a former Edmonds City Council member, reported household income ranging from roughly $426,759 to $800,000 in 2025, driven by his dual elected salaries — as state representative and on the county council of a combined $226,759— plus his spouse’s $200,000-$499,999 business consulting firm. His assets include a Wells Fargo brokerage account valued at $1 million or more, bank and certificate-of-deposit accounts each worth $200,000-$499,999 and an Edmonds home valued over $2 million (Zillow), according to his Washington Public Disclosure Commission F-1 filing.
Moon and his spouse, a nurse, reported more modest household income under $190,000. The couple owns three Washington properties with their primary Mukilteo residence valued at $924,000 (Zillow) and investment accounts in the $200,000-$499,999 range.
Housing has emerged as a flashpoint in the overwhelmingly predominant single-family white picket fence communities of Edmonds and Mukilteo.
As House Housing Committee chair, Peterson sponsored legislation including House Bill 2266, which sets statewide standards to ease siting of emergency shelters, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing in residential zones. Some Edmonds and Mukilteo residents opposed the measures at town halls, citing concerns over high-density development, local control and impacts on neighborhoods.
Peterson also back housing bills like the 2023 “Missing Middle” measure HB 1110 that drew strong, vocal local pushback in Edmonds and Mukilteo, centered on loss of local control, neighborhood character, and perceived overreach by the state. The Edmonds City Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning the bill as “preempt[ing] the ability of local municipalities to determine how that goal should be implemented in their jurisdictions.”
Moon has criticized such mandates, calling instead for decisions that respect local community nuances and prioritize fiscal responsibility.
Moon, who holds a University of Washington MBA and previously worked in tech and real estate, entered politics when he was appointed to the Mukilteo council in 2022 and elected to a full term in 2023. He says residents feel unheard on housing affordability, homelessness, drug impacts, public safety and youth issues, including concerns about violence in Edmonds schools and record fentanyl overdoses in the region.
Peterson highlights his record on advancing affordable housing, environmental protections and support for working families. He has described the 21 district’s challenges — including homelessness — as requiring bold state action.
As of May 4, Moon had raised $19,607.42 for his campaign, while Peterson had raised $35,399.50.
The race is being considered a closely watched intra-party test in the comfortably Democratic district ahead of the Aug. 4 primary. Moon lost to Peterson in the 2024 primary but has returned with a sharpened focus on delivering “change for you in Olympia.”
To learn more about each candidate visit https://hellojasonmoon.com/ and https://votestrom.com/.
Author: Mario Lotmore
