Bellevue City Councilmember Jennifer Robertson announced Tuesday that she will not seek re-election.
Robertson was first elected in 2009 to a partial term and then re-elected in 2011, 2015, and 2019 with significant margins. She served as Deputy Mayor from 2012 to 2014 and represented Bellevue on numerous regional committees during her long tenure, the release said.
“My inspiration for running for office was to stop politics as usual and get results for the wonderful people of Bellevue,” Roberston said. “Helping protect the quality of life for our most vulnerable and working families and ensuring Bellevue remains a place our children feel safe and excited for their futures has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
Robertson was a leader in land use planning and transportation for Bellevue for the past 20 years. Her work has shaped Bellevue into a high-tech hub known as one of the best places to live, work and invest in the nation. Under her, the city adopted significant transportation improvements, including the light rail line that protected environmentally sensitive areas, a fully adaptive traffic light grid, miles of new bike lanes, and the largest neighborhood and safety transportation funding package in city history, all according to the release.
“Following my service on the council, Bellevue families have more economic opportunities, safer neighborhoods, more dynamic parks, and more flexibility with transportation choices,” Robertson said. “I am grateful to the people of Bellevue for granting me the privilege to work with my talented city council colleagues and an exceptional city staff on bold legislation that ensures Bellevue remains the best city in the United States to live, work and raise a family.”
Robertson is an attorney with the Bellevue law firm of Inslee, Best, Doezie & Ryder, P.S., where she practices municipal law. She provides civil legal services for several Washington municipalities, including serving as special counsel on land use and ethics issues.
“I look forward to continuing to make the region stronger in my role as legal counsel for Washington cities,” Roberston said.