EVERETT— Snohomish County Councilmember Sam Low (R-Lake Stevens), Jared Mead (D-Mill Creek), and Nate Nehring (R-Arlington) took their oaths of office earlier this week after being re-elected to office in November. Low and Nehring secured their third term with 53.95% and 92.57% (unopposed) of the vote respectively, and Mead ran unopposed to win a second term with 95.68% of the vote.
Low, joined by his wife Mariah, daughter Megan, grandson Jedi, and a few intimate friends in the council chamber on December 29, shared his eagerness to serve District 5’s constituents for his final 4-year term. Lynnwood Municipal Judge Valerie Bouffiou facilitated the swearing in ceremony.
“I’m excited to serve the people for another four years here at the County Council,” Low said. “It has by far been my favorite job that I’ve ever got to do in my life is serving on the County Council. Had a lot of great jobs over the years, but this one’s by far been really good. So, I’m excited to serve the people of District 5 Excited for each one of you.”
Low, representing District 5, has advanced key initiatives in transportation, public safety and fiscal management.
Since joining the council in 2016 after defeating Hans Dunshee (D) with 52.4% of the vote, Low has secured funding for major roadways like Highway 522, Highway 9 and the US 2 Trestle through collaboration with state officials. He has prioritized congestion relief and safety upgrades on county roads, and chairs Washington state’s Transportation Improvement Board. In public safety matters, Low backed law enforcement and firefighters amid calls to defund police, while investing in schools and affordable housing to foster secure communities.
On fiscal matters, Low opposed property tax hikes, including a proposed 4% increase in 202. He established a rainy-day fund and held departments accountable for spending. Low also promoted transparency by expanding social media outreach and supported public access broadcasts of meetings.
Before joining the county council, Low ran a successful business for 10 years. Elected to the Lake Stevens City Council in 2013, he became president in 2016 and mayor pro-tem. He chaired the Snohomish County Board of Health in 2015 and led the Lake Stevens Rotary Club as president from 2016 to 2017.
Snohomish County Councilman Mead was sworn in by Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell for his second term representing District 4 on December 31. Mead, who has served on the County Council since 2020, previously held roles on the Mill Creek Planning Commission, Mill Creek City Council, and in the Washington State House of Representatives.
“The next few years will determine the direction of Snohomish County,” said Mead. “There is a real debate about who we are and where we’re headed, and the choices we make now will have lasting consequences. I will fight aggressively to keep our county affordable for working families, expand homeownership opportunities, and strengthen public safety.”
During his first term, Mead championed housing affordability, childcare access, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. Known for his bipartisan approach, he has earned a reputation for delivering practical results for residents. Mead’s new term runs through 2029.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge George Appel on Monday, December 31, swore in Nate Nehring for his final term on the council. Nate, joined by wife Savannah and their four children, is looking forward to improving the quality of life for residents.
“It is a true privilege to serve the residents of Snohomish County,” said Nehring. “I am looking forward to my third term on the County Council and will continue to prioritize public safety, tax relief, and quality of life for all residents.”
Nehring, who represents District 1, has championed fiscal responsibility, public safety and job growth since his election in 2017, earning trust from his fellow councilmembers having been selected as Council Chair in 2025 and 2020 and Vice Chair in 2024.
Nehring has voted against property tax hikes and helped balance budgets without increases in four of the past five years, while building the county’s rainy-day fund to $13.9 million. He led efforts to ban heroin injection sites and established a North County program pairing law enforcement with social workers to aid the homeless and those battling addiction.
In economic initiatives, he founded the Regional Apprenticeship Pathways program, serving 75 high school students annually in skilled trades training, and secured $30 million for broadband expansion. Nehring also advanced conservation by preserving farmland and open spaces, and promoted housing affordability through streamlined regulations and support for accessory dwelling units.
Nehring also co-founded the Building Bridges Project with fellow colleague Snohomish County Councilman Mead, to encourage civil discourse and bipartisan solutions.
Author: Mario Lotmore
