List of mayors of Tukwila, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mayor of Tukwila |
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|---|---|
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Incumbent
Thomas McLeod since January 1, 2024 |
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| Term length | 4 years |
| Inaugural holder | Joel Shomaker |
| Formation | June 23, 1908 |
| Website | http://www.tukwilawa.gov/mayor/ |
A mayor is the main leader of a city. This page lists all the people who have been mayor of Tukwila, a city in Washington. Tukwila became an official city in 1908. The first mayor was Joel Shomaker. He played a big part in helping Tukwila become a city. The current mayor is Thomas McLeod, who started his term on January 1, 2024.
Contents
History of Tukwila's Mayors
Tukwila officially became a city on June 23, 1908. Joel Shomaker was chosen as its very first mayor. Before becoming mayor, Shomaker worked as a farm editor for a newspaper. He strongly believed Tukwila should be its own city. He even helped organize a contest in the newspaper to choose the city's name!
Many mayors have left a lasting mark on Tukwila. For example, some streets are named after mayors who served in the mid-1900s. You might see Strander Boulevard, Minkler Boulevard, or Baker Boulevard. These names honor the mayors who helped shape the city.
What Does a Mayor Do in Tukwila?
Tukwila uses a "mayor-council government" system. This means the mayor is the city's chief executive. They work with the city council to run the city.
Mayor's Responsibilities
The mayor has several important jobs:
- They lead all the city council meetings.
- If the city council has a tied vote, the mayor gets to cast the deciding vote.
- The mayor reports on the city's money situation.
- They also prepare the city's budget, which is a plan for how the city will spend its money.
Mayor's Veto Power
The mayor can say "no" to new city rules or laws. This is called a veto. However, the city council can sometimes override the mayor's veto. If more than half of the city council members agree, they can pass the rule even if the mayor said no.
List of Tukwila Mayors
Here is a list of all the people who have served as mayor of Tukwila since it became a city.
| # | Name | Term began | Term ended |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joel Shomaker | June 23, 1908 | December 31, 1909 |
| 2 | Ernest Engel | January 1, 1910 | December 31, 1911 |
| 3 | Jacob Guntert | January 1, 1912 | January 14, 1913 |
| 4 | John Hall | January 14, 1913 | December 31, 1914 |
| 5 | Sylvanus Harlow Stevens | January 1, 1915 | December 31, 1918 |
| 6 | Edward F. Greene | January 1, 1919 | December 31, 1924 |
| 7 | George C. Bergquist | January 1, 1925 | December 31, 1927 |
| 8 | John R. Walkup | January 1, 1928 | June 5, 1933 |
| 9 | John P. Walkup | June 5, 1933 | June 2, 1947 |
| 10 | Charles Baker | June 2, 1947 | April 2, 1962 |
| 11 | John Strander | April 2, 1962 | December 31, 1967 |
| 12 | Stanley Minkler | January 1, 1968 | December 31, 1971 |
| 13 | Frank Todd | January 1, 1972 | December 31, 1975 |
| 14 | Edgar Bauch | January 1, 1976 | December 31, 1979 |
| 15 | Frank Todd | December 1, 1980 | July 15, 1982 |
| 16 | Gary VanDusen | July 15, 1982 | December 31, 1991 |
| 17 | John W. Rants | January 1, 1992 | December 31, 1999 |
| 18 | Steve Mullett | January 1, 2000 | December 31, 2007 |
| 19 | Jim Haggerton | January 1, 2008 | December 31, 2015 |
| 20 | Allan Ekberg | January 1, 2016 | December 31, 2023 |
| 21 | Thomas McLeod | January 1, 2024 | Present |
