The general election is Nov. 4, and here’s a rundown of what’s on tap in Mercer Island City Council races: Incumbent Lisa Anderl will face off with Johana Beresky for Position No. 6; Adam Ragheb and Julie Hsieh will compete for Position No. 7; and incumbents Ted Weinberg and appointed councilmember Daniel Becker are running unopposed for positions No. 4 and 2, respectively.
King County Elections will mail out ballots to registered voters on Oct. 15.
The Reporter sent out Q and A’s to each candidate and here are their responses:
Lisa Anderl
Why are you running for Mercer Island City Council?
I am running for city council because I love serving this community. Doing effective work on council requires a significant amount of time to understand the issues, be prepared for meetings, and make good decisions. I have the experience to do this work. I want to preserve Mercer Island as a first-class city, delivering first-class services, with a balanced budget, and attention to and priority for our community’s needs.
In the next four years we will have important votes and decisions on budget priorities, zoning, infrastructure issues and many others. My understanding of these issues will enable me to make the best decisions for the Island.
What do you feel are three of the most critical issues on Mercer Island and how do you hope to address them?
Budget. The budget is crucial because many of the other issues that need to be addressed hinge on having enough money to accomplish the desired outcomes. Discipline on this issue is hard. To this end I will always press for prudent financial leadership, which we are fortunate to have now. Spending must be sustainable, and I will work to keep our financial priorities focused on core city services.
Safety. Public safety is critical. We need to adequately fund our first responders. I supported the transition of fire and EMS to Eastside Fire and Rescue, which provides Mercer Island with a robust emergency responder network. I consistently support providing adequate resources for the police department. I have strongly supported connecting people with treatment and shelter if they are in need. I have also consistently supported MIYFS (Mercer Island Youth and Family Services) and the resources they offer.
Infrastructure. The city is on a good path towards replacing aging and inadequate buildings, but this is a multi-year effort and will require good decision making throughout the process. Maintaining our water and sewer systems is also a critical city function, and tremendous work has already been done, including a booster chlorination system, re-lining the city reservoirs, and a replacement of water meters with digital equipment.
What’s your life philosophy and how can you apply that to council matters?
My life philosophy is “persistence and determination.” It is based on this quote, which is attributed to Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not…. Genius will not…. Education will not…. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
I apply this to council matters in the sense that we must continue to work tirelessly to attain and retain what we value in the community. It’s great to have smart and talented and educated people on council, which we do, but the only way we end up with good things for the community is to press on with the work we believe is important.
Johana Beresky
Why are you running for Mercer Island City Council?
My name is Johana Beresky, and I am running for city council because I love where I live. Our family spans three generations on the Island — from our kids in the schools to their grandparents nearby — so I’m focused on decisions that serve all ages. We moved here nearly twenty years ago, drawn by the strength of this community, and now I want to give back by bridging perspectives and ensuring everyone has a voice.
What do you feel are three of the most critical issues on Mercer Island and how do you hope to address them?
Mercer Island is facing three major challenges that will shape our community’s future:
First, our aging water infrastructure has proven vulnerable, with multiple main breaks and a recent local declaration of emergency. We must invest in long-term upgrades, strengthen emergency preparedness, and collaborate with our state and regional counterparts to ensure safe, reliable water for every home and business.
Second, the city must update its housing and growth plans to comply with state law while balancing our geographic and infrastructure constraints. I believe in a collaborative, community-led process that balances affordability, livability, and smart growth near transit.
Finally, the proposed $103 million Public Safety and Maintenance Facility project requires careful financial stewardship. This is a necessary, once-in-a-generation investment that I fully support! We have a responsibility to ensure that our city’s essential services can operate safely and effectively.
What’s your life philosophy and how can you apply that to council matters?
I firmly believe that we are stronger together. This is the philosophy that I embrace with my work teams, and it is the mindset that I intend to bring to my service on the council. My decades of experience leading teams and managing budgets has taught me how to navigate complexity, make tough decisions, and stay focused on sustainable outcomes. On council, I will promote inclusive civic dialogue and press for choices that reflect our shared values. Mercer Island is an interconnected community. I know that with mutual respect and shared purpose, we can build a future that reflects the best of all of us. I have spent years bringing people together to solve complex problems — and that’s exactly what Mercer Island needs right now.
Adam Ragheb
Why are you running for Mercer Island City Council?
I’m running to preserve our high quality of life and because I enjoyed my time serving on Mercer Island’s Planning Commission. While on the commission, I opposed proposals that would have encroached on parks and eroded our small-town feel and neighborhood character.
My aerospace engineering job requires analyzing complex technical data to prevent catastrophic failures. I recently found and reported errors in proposed city codes that would have allowed emergency shelters island-wide and some residential developments to have no parking. I’ll bring the same precision to city council decisions to prevent unintended irreversible consequences.
This year’s council election will have lasting impacts. My deep understanding of city code and the Comprehensive Plan will serve you on day one, with no on-the-job training. My platform is clear, consistent, and grounded in the conversations I had with hundreds of residents. I have no conflicts of interest in making zoning and land-use decisions. Mercer Island is my only home.
What do you feel are three of the most critical issues on Mercer Island and how do you hope to address them?
Turn temporary ordinances on middle housing into permanent code: If elected, I will uphold design standards and not grant density bonuses to develop multiplexes. Our geographic constraints can’t accommodate accelerated density. It would strain infrastructure, stress our power grid, slow emergency response, increase traffic, and amplify parking limitations in Town Center.
Futurewise lawsuit: The city is required to update its Comprehensive Plan by summer 2026. My years of City Planning Commission experience, combined with the analytical rigor of my work, will allow me to contribute to updates on the Comprehensive Plan while protecting the character of neighborhoods near the light rail.
Public safety and Town Center parking: Safety is paramount. While my opponent stated she would “balance compassion with community safety,” I will not compromise our safety. I will stand firm against shelters and encampments to protect our homes, parks, schools, and businesses. I will encourage reuse of existing buildings and prioritize parking by ensuring new developments have ample parking.
What’s your life philosophy and how can you apply that to council matters?
Integrity, consistency, and building consensus through respect grounds my decisions in life and city work. I will listen to residents and find common ground on issues. I am not interested in higher office. I won’t be pressured by regional groups and state politicians. I’m an engineer at heart and a devoted husband and father raised by two educators. Mercer Island is the last suburb when it comes to safety and a peaceful lifestyle. If elected, I will work tirelessly to protect it.
Julie Hsieh
Why are you running for Mercer Island City Council?
I’m running for Mercer Island City Council because I care deeply about our community — its people, its safety, and its future. As a family physician, artist, and community volunteer, I’ve spent much of my life listening, solving problems, and serving others. I believe those are the same qualities we need on council.
What do you feel are three of the most critical issues on Mercer Island and how do you hope to address them?
Public safety and emergency preparedness. I will work with our police and fire departments to improve traffic and pedestrian safety, update e-bike regulations, and strengthen emergency preparedness through programs like CERT and “Map Your Neighborhood.” I fully support a new public safety and maintenance facility so first responders can deliver the services Islanders expect. I’m proud to be endorsed by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.
Supporting youth and seniors. I envision a Mercer Island where children thrive and seniors age with dignity and connection. I’ll champion funding for MI Youth and Family Services, including mental health care, senior outreach, and basic needs assistance. I will advocate for better transit options so seniors can remain mobile and active. I’ll promote closer partnerships between the city and schools to maintain mental health resources for our students and ensure shared spaces like sports fields are maximized for the public good.
Energize Town Center, including thoughtful housing solutions. State law requires us to expand middle housing. Concentrating middle housing in the town center can help address state requirements while also revitalizing the area. More residents living near shops, services, and transit can bring new energy and foot traffic to local businesses, attract new retail options, and maximize existing infrastructure. I believe we can strengthen our current Comprehensive Plan to energize the town center and include a housing plan that preserves our Island’s unique character, responds to evolving needs — like returning young families and downsizing seniors — and fulfills state housing requirements. I’m proud to be endorsed by the Eastside Business Alliance.
What’s your life philosophy and how can you apply that to council matters?
My life philosophy is rooted in service, listening, and showing up with care. I will bring this approach to council — working collaboratively, thinking long-term, and always centering on the well-being of our residents. Mercer Island leaders recognize that I work effectively with others to generate thoughtful, pragmatic solutions. I’m proud to be endorsed by four current city councilmembers, five former Mercer Island mayors, seven current and past planning commissioners and over 250 Islanders.
Let’s work together for a safe, vibrant, and inclusive Mercer Island. I would be honored to earn your vote and serve.
Ted Weinberg
Why are you running for Mercer Island City Council?
I’ve lived on Mercer Island for 44 years, served on city council for four years, and served on the Planning Commission for four years before that. My motivation for serving in public office is that I want to give back to the community that’s given me and my family so much over the decades.
What do you feel are three of the most critical issues on Mercer Island and how do you hope to address them?
In my first term on city council, I passed affordable housing legislation, our city’s first Climate Action Plan, a levy for revitalizing our parks and playgrounds, and e-motorcycle regulations. I’ve also accelerated the modernization of our utility infrastructure. I will continue prioritizing public safety, protecting our parks, addressing the challenges of affordable housing and homelessness in concert with neighboring cities, and strengthening our business community.
We need to pass the Public Safety and Maintenance Facility bond. We need to continue the 15-year process of modernizing all the island’s playgrounds. We need to find ways to partner with other government agencies and local corporations to create a full spectrum of housing in the region. And we need to leverage the arrival of our new light rail station and the 2026 World Cup festivities to help Mercer Island businesses grow and thrive.
What’s your life philosophy and how can you apply that to council matters?
Keep learning, keep laughing, keep a healthy work-life balance, and always be ready to roll up your sleeves and solve a challenging problem.
I host monthly open brunches at a rotation of local restaurants. The next one is 11 a.m. Saturday Oct. 18 at Crawlspace, by the way. Join us! I listen carefully to what people say. We laugh. We cry. We talk about the things we care about most. And then we strategize on how to bring about permanent positive change. You’ve probably seen me taking notes; I write over 10 pages of notes every day. I leverage those notes in preparing for each Council meeting and determining which policy direction to steer.
I endeavor to manage expectations proactively and embody integrity by saying what I’m going to do and then doing it. I try to build a compelling vision for the future; something that inspires my friends and colleagues so we can create something together we can be proud of. I then pursue that vision like sailing towards a dot on the horizon with a steady hand on the tiller.
Daniel Becker
Why are you running for Mercer Island City Council?
My goal is simple: I want Mercer Island to be a high-quality city. Every decision I make will be based on that principle. In particular I want excellent public services, strong public safety, and a lower political temperature — we are a small community and we need to work together.
I grew up on the island, have a 6-year-old son, and work full time as a business owner with 150 people. The reason I’m running is not for any one specific issue that I want to change. I’m running because I care deeply about our community, and I believe we need people willing to put in the work to maintain and improve the quality of life we all value.
What do you feel are three of the most critical issues on Mercer Island and how do you hope to address them?
I like focusing on the boring stuff that doesn’t make headlines, because we have serious challenges coming up:
Long-term planning. We have too much very old infrastructure, including our permanently closed city hall and failing public works facility that are on the upcoming ballot. We also have major water and sewer infrastructure risks and a difficult upcoming budgeting cycle. We need to shift further towards future planning to avoid the types of local emergencies we’ve experienced the last few years.
Housing. The state has been passing an unprecedented number of bills requiring changes to our housing code. Besides being unfunded and burdening our planning department, many provisions do not match residents’ vision for MI. We need to implore legislators to limit future unfunded mandates and give us time to implement this huge body of work in a way that best serves our residents.
Light rail. This is opening imminently but we don’t yet know how it will impact the town center and how residents will get there. We need to be prepared to monitor and respond and make sure the town center is supporting our residents.
What’s your life philosophy and how can you apply that to council matters?
I try to remain optimistic, don’t dwell on things outside my control, and give 110% effort at all times. That attitude on council will help find consensus among the diverse opinions on MI and get things done that improve our quality of life.
