How’s the leadership been at City Hall?

Mayor James L. Lauinger and Deputy Mayor Joan McBride are hoping the answer to that question is a positive one after they both registered this month with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) for City Council elections November 3.

McBride, first elected to in 1997 and running for her fourth term, is the Council’s longest serving member. Lauinger was first elected to City Council in 2001 and is in his second-term as Mayor since January 2006.

The pair join Penny Sweet in the race for Council seats after she announced her candidacy March 18. No word yet from the other two incumbents up for re-election, Councilwoman Mary-Alyce Burleigh and Councilman Tom Hodgson.

When asked why he was running for a third term, Lauinger said the city needed the qualities he possessed: uncommon expertise and experience.

“I have been a seasoned council member, business owner, involved with nonprofits and the fabric of Kirkland for nearly 20 years now,” he said.

Kirkland is governed by seven non-partisan council members, who serve staggered four-year terms, elected at-large by city voters. The city is run under a Council-Manager form of government with a part-time Council and a full-time manager. Kirkland’s City Manager since 1997 is Dave Ramsay.

Local blog KirklandViews has also reported on this story, found here.