Nilu Jenks leads Julie Kang in Seattle City Council District 5 race
Meet your Seattle City Council District 5 candidates
Seattle District 5 voters are headed to the polls to decided between Nilu Jenks and Julie Kang, two candidates looking to fill the City Council seat for a year until they're back on the ballot in 2027.
SEATTLE - The Seattle City Council District 5 seat is up for grabs, and candidates Nilu Jenks and Julie Kang are closely watching election results roll in.
Nilu Jenks leads Seattle City Council District 5 race
The race is currently on pace for Jenks to win:
- As of Tuesday night, Jenks leads with 58.48% (15,122) of the vote, while Kang has received 41.10% (10,626) of the vote.
The winner will take office for a shortened term before the North Seattle seat returns to the ballot in 2027 for a full four-year term. Both candidates plan to run again for the seat in 2027.
Jenks, a community advocate who has focused on election reform and led the primary vote, holds an endorsement from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. Kang is a local banker and educator of 32 years, pledging to stand up for neighborhood priorities and work with city leadership.
Nilu Jenks (left) and Julie Kang (right) (FOX 13 Seattle)
The backstory:
Public safety along Aurora Avenue has emerged as a central issue in the race, with business owners and neighbors grappling with neighborhood crime. Both candidates have differing outlooks on policing and surveillance.
Kang supports increasing police staffing, using public safety surveillance cameras, and enforcing Stay Out of Area of Prostitution (SOAP) orders. While Jenks also supports increased police staffing and operations, she rejects SOAP policies and is instead advocating for alternative response teams.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE ELECTION RESULTS
Election Day 2026: Key races, ballot measures most cared about in WA
There are several key races and ballot measures people across Washington state will be watching closely this election. Reporter Shawn Chitnis breaks down what people are keeping an eye on tonight.
MORE ELECTION NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Political analysts weigh in on WA midterm initiatives
Candidates make final campaign push around the nation
1.7 million voters cast ballots in WA ahead of Election Day
‘It's a dumpster fire’; Sec. Hobbs rejects DOJ claims of voter fraud in WA
2026 midterm elections: Will early-voter turnout translate to final results?
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story came from King County Elections and previous FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.