A foursome of Mercer Island City Councilmembers are traversing the re-election path toward the Nov. 7 general election.

During the week of May 15-19, Deputy Mayor David Rosenbaum (position No. 1), Wendy Weiker (position No. 3), Craig Reynolds (position No. 5) and Jake Jacobson (position No. 7) filed their candidacy papers with King County Elections.

On the final filing day, Michael D. Curry jumped into the ring to challenge Reynolds, and Andrew B. Friedman put his name in to face off with Jacobson.

Rosenbaum said he’s proud of the work he and council engaged in during his initial four-year term and believes there’s more work to be done. Items that dotted council’s agenda included setting well-thought-out plans to address Mercer Island’s future, and ensuring that the city continues to be a safe and welcoming place to live and do business. Council also helped the city weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

He humbly asks residents for the opportunity to continue his service journey on the Island.

“Having spent more than 18 years working in public policy at both the federal and local levels and as a father of two young children, I believe I bring a unique skill set and perspective to our council. I would appreciate the chance to continue bringing the leadership, dedication, and open-mindedness that has allowed me to be a leader on the council, on behalf of our city,” he said in a statement.

Weiker has served on council for the last eight years, including holding the deputy mayor position from 2020-21. She’s running for re-election because she cares about the community, reads her website.

“This is a critical time as our local and regional government leaders continue navigating the post-pandemic world, managing our scarce city resources, maintaining essential city services, and sustaining the great quality of life we enjoy on our island,” she notes on the site.

During her present and past time on council, Weiker has been involved with the following committees: Environmental Sustainability, Eastside Transportation Partnership, Diversity and Inclusion, Parks and Recreation, Council Effectiveness, Sound Transit Station Design and the PTA Legislative Advocacy.

Both Reynolds and Jacobson are in the midst of serving their initial four-year council terms.

Reynolds feels the city has made significant strides in recent years and said there’s more to be done. The former city planning commission member has worked for 37 years as an actuary, where he focuses on understanding, forecasting and mitigating future financial risks.

He reflected on his initial council term and plans for the future in a statement to the Reporter:

“I am proud to have played a leading role in revising the Town Center development code to encourage retail development, writing the city’s first financial management policy, and creating the city’s first Climate Action Plan (CAP). In addition, I was pleased to support placing a comprehensive, and ultimately successful, parks levy on the ballot. In my next term, I look forward to working on CAP implementation and the update of the city’s comprehensive plan, both of which will have significant long-term impacts on our future.”

During his nearly four years on council, Jacobson has been heavily involved with Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, the Parks and Recreation Commission and council’s Sustainability Subcommittee, along with supporting the parks levy and the city’s efforts to address and enhance the reliability of its utility systems and roads, according to a statement. While serving as the council liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission, he participated in developing the PROS (Parks, Recreation and Open Space) Plan.

Jacobson explained what he intends to concentrate on during another council term:

“I am committed to act in the best interests of Mercer Island in the next four years if re-elected. That includes public safety, our parks, our utility infrastructure, the city’s fiscal sustainability, and the continued provision of cost-effective services to all residents.”

Curry vows to bring honor, integrity and selfless service to council if he’s elected to position No. 5 in the fall. The candidate lists his priorities as public safety, supporting first-response teams, fiscal responsibility, transportation advocacy, putting Mercer Island first, and preserving the city’s unique and beautiful parks system.

“My wife (a native Mercer Islander) and I relocated to Mercer Island to allow our boys to experience one of the best public school systems in the nation, the tranquility and secure feeling that a small island brings, and the close-knit community unique to Mercer Island,” he said in a statement. “I will work hard with the council and city management to minimize regional politics on Mercer Island. I will be your voice on the council.”

The Reporter reached out to Friedman, but didn’t receive a response at press time.