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Erika Barnett (Edmonds City Council Position 3, Washington, candidate 2025)

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Erika Barnett

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Candidate, Edmonds City Council Position 3

Elections and appointments
Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Western Washington University, 1995

Personal
Birthplace
Wenatchee, Wash.
Religion
Christian
Profession
Business owner
Contact

Erika Barnett is running for election to the Edmonds City Council Position 3 in Washington. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source] She was on the ballot in the primary on August 5, 2025.[source]

Barnett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

[1]

Biography

Erika Barnett provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on July 7, 2025:

  • Birth date: July 11, 1973
  • Birth place: Wenatchee, Washington
  • Bachelor's: Western Washington University, 1995
  • Gender: Female
  • Religion: Christian
  • Profession: Business Owner
  • Incumbent officeholder: No
  • Campaign slogan: Proven Leader. Trusted Neighbor.
  • Campaign website
  • Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

General election for Edmonds City Council Position 3

Erika Barnett and Alex Newman are running in the general election for Edmonds City Council Position 3 on November 4, 2025.

Candidate
Erika Barnett (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
Alex Newman (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Edmonds City Council Position 3

Joseph Ademofe, Erika Barnett, and Alex Newman ran in the primary for Edmonds City Council Position 3 on August 5, 2025.

Candidate
Image of Joseph Ademofe
Joseph Ademofe (Nonpartisan)
Erika Barnett (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
Alex Newman (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Election results

Endorsements

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Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Erika Barnett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Barnett's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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I’m Erika Barnett—a mom, small business owner, and longtime Edmonds resident running for City Council Position 3. My husband and I are raising our two school-age children here and built Salish Sea Brewing Company, which, over the past decade, has grown into a beloved community gathering place known for live music, fundraisers, and local flavor.

I’ve served on the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and have volunteered alongside neighbors on efforts ranging from arts funding to economic development. I’ve also been part of budget advisory task forces and planning discussions with city leadership to address our structural deficit and plan for smart, sustainable growth.

I’m running because I care deeply about Edmonds and want to preserve what makes it special—its safety, natural beauty, vibrant downtown, and strong sense of community—while ensuring it remains financially sound for future generations.

With a professional background in marketing strategy and operations, including leadership roles at Microsoft and in the nonprofit sector, I know how to build coalitions, manage large budgets, and lead during challenging times. In fact, my husband and I opened our second location during the pandemic—proof of the kind of tenacity and forward thinking I’ll bring to Council.

I believe in listening first, acting with integrity, and working across differences to get things done.
  • Public Safety Every resident deserves to feel safe at home, in our parks, and on our streets. I will support our police and first responders while also working to improve emergency response coordination, neighborhood walkability, and community engagement. A safe Edmonds means investing in people and partnerships that foster trust, accountability, and crime prevention. I will also advocate for policies that keep our streets safe for kids walking to school, seniors navigating crosswalks, and families enjoying public spaces.
  • Fiscal Responsibility Edmonds is facing a structural budget deficit that threatens our ability to provide the services and amenities residents expect. As a small business owner and former strategic planning executive, I know how to make tough financial decisions, prioritize spending, and ensure accountability. I’ll work to modernize outdated systems, improve transparency, and find efficiencies—stretching every taxpayer dollar while ensuring essential services are protected and funded for the long term.
  • Quality of Life I’m running to protect what makes Edmonds special—our waterfront, tree canopy, vibrant arts scene, and community events. I’ll champion thoughtful growth that maintains our small-town charm and protects the environment. That means working collaboratively with residents to guide zoning, development, and transportation planning in a way that enhances livability. I’ll also advocate for investments in parks, public spaces, and programs that bring our community together.
I’m passionate about building a strong, financially sustainable future for Edmonds. We’re facing a structural deficit, and I believe we must measure budget allocations based on real outcomes and community impact—not just line-item tradition. We need to prioritize what works, eliminate inefficiencies, and focus on long-term planning that protects essential services.

I also believe in the power of public-private partnerships and grassroots leadership. Groups like the Edmonds Marsh Restoration advocates show how residents can lead meaningful projects that enhance our city’s quality of life without relying solely on local tax dollars. I will champion these efforts and work to expand collaboration between the city, nonprofits, and businesses.
I believe the most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, transparency, and the ability to truly listen—especially when people disagree. Elected leaders should be focused on service, not status. They must be willing to ask tough questions, prioritize facts over ideology, and make decisions that balance today’s needs with long-term sustainability.

But just as important is having deep roots in the community you serve. Understanding Edmonds—its history, neighborhoods, small businesses, and culture—matters. You can’t represent what you don’t know. As a business owner, mom, and civic leader, I’ve spent years working alongside neighbors to solve real problems. I’ll bring that lived experience and local perspective to every decision I make on City Council.
I’m a collaborative problem-solver, a listener, and someone who follows through. I take a win-win approach to leadership—looking for common ground and shared success. While at Microsoft, I was honored with the Impact and Influence Award for my ability to lead cross-group initiatives and bring diverse teams together around strategic goals. I’ve built teams, run a business, raised a family, and volunteered in the Edmonds community for years. I approach issues with a practical mindset—focused on outcomes and community impact rather than partisanship. I care deeply about Edmonds and will continue to show up and lead with integrity as your City Councilmember.
Like many small business owners, we struggled to keep our doors open during the pandemic. But instead of pulling back, we expanded—through lockdowns, shifting regulations, and constant uncertainty. We learned how to adapt, stay grounded, and keep people employed when things got tough. That experience taught me how to lead through adversity with resilience, creativity, and a people-first mindset. That same real-world problem-solving and steady leadership is what I’ll bring to City Hall.
I’m proud to be supported by leaders at every level—state, county, and city—along with local businesses, first responders, PTA parents, community leaders, and neighbors who value steady leadership and balanced growth.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Barnett completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

See also


External links

Footnotes