Katia Zakharoff (Issaquah City Council Position 6, Washington, candidate 2025)
From Ballotpedia
 |
Special state legislative • Appellate courts • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • All local elections by county • How to run for office |
 |
Katia Zakharoff is running in a special election to the Issaquah City Council Position 6 in Washington. She is on the ballot in the special general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Zakharoff completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Katia Zakharoff provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on September 24, 2025:
- Birth date: April 13, 1982
- Graduate: Regional Finance and Economics Institute, 2006
- Gender: Female
- Religion: None
- Profession: Business Owner
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Endorsed by Leaders. Powered by Neighbors.
- Campaign website
- Campaign endorsements
- Campaign Facebook
- Campaign Instagram
Elections
General election
The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.
Special general election for Issaquah City Council Position 6
Kevin Nichols and Katia Zakharoff are running in the special general election for Issaquah City Council Position 6 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
Kevin Nichols (Nonpartisan)  | ||
 | Katia Zakharoff (Nonpartisan) | |
| ||||
| = 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
To view Zakharoff's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Katia Zakharoff completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zakharoff's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
I am Katia Zakharoff, a first-generation immigrant, small business owner, and proud U.S. citizen who has called Washington home for over 20 years and Issaquah my home for the past five. My journey—earning an MBA, building a business from the ground up, and becoming a homeowner through ARCH—has been the American Dream, and it’s what drives me to ensure Issaquah remains a place where families and businesses can thrive.
I currently serve on Issaquah’s Planning Policy Commission, the Commercial Property Standing Committee, and the Climate Action Plan Zoning & Transportation group. Through these roles, I’ve worked directly on issues like housing affordability, permitting reform, traffic and mobility, and environmental stewardship.
I am running for Issaquah City Council to bring this hands-on experience, financial expertise, and community-driven leadership to the council. My priorities are supporting small businesses, making housing more attainable, improving transportation, and protecting our natural environment. Above all, I want to ensure residents’ voices remain at the heart of every decision.- I believe city government works best when residents’ voices are at the center of every decision. That’s why I’ve personally knocked on more than 6,000 doors, listening to families, seniors, and business owners across Issaquah. People tell me they want their city to hear them, support them, and protect what makes our community special. In my service as Planning Policy Commissioner and on zoning, transportation, and climate action committees, I’ve learned how to turn community feedback into policy. Whether addressing traffic, housing, or neighborhood safety, I approach every issue by asking: How does this decision affect the people who live and work here? On council, I will continue listening, showing up, and making sure residents come first
- As a small business owner for nearly 2 decades, I know firsthand the challenges of starting, growing, and sustaining a business. Too often in Issaquah, permitting takes too long and fees are too high, putting local entrepreneurs at a disadvantage compared to our neighbors in Bellevue, Redmond, or Renton. Our city’s location outside of I-405 means we must focus on supporting community-serving businesses and actively promoting Issaquah as a place to invest. I believe we can streamline processes without adding costs to taxpayers—other cities have cut permitting timelines to just days using digital tools and smarter systems. Strong businesses create jobs, provide services close to home, and build vibrant neighborhoods that strengthen community
- Issaquah is defined by its natural beauty—our forests, creeks, and Kokanee salmon are treasures that connect directly to our quality of life. As a member of the city’s Climate Action Plan Zoning & Transportation group, I’ve seen how growth and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand. I believe we can protect clean water and habitat while still planning for housing that keeps longtime residents from being priced out. Thoughtful infrastructure like roundabouts, safe crosswalks, and micro-mobility options will reduce congestion and prepare us for light rail, while preserving neighborhood character. Protecting the environment isn’t separate from community health—it is the foundation of it.
I am passionate about public policies that directly impact Issaquah families, small businesses, and our environment. As a longtime small business owner, I care deeply about streamlining permitting, modernizing licensing, and creating a fair tax system that supports local entrepreneurs. As a Planning Policy Commissioner, I am focused on housing affordability so residents who’ve built their lives here aren’t priced out, and on responsible growth that preserves neighborhood character. I am equally committed to mobility solutions—safer streets, traffic relief, and preparing for light rail—as well as protecting our streams, forests, and Kokanee salmon. For me, good public policy means balancing fiscal responsibility with sustainability.
The Issaquah City Council is unique because it is the level of government closest to the people. Unlike state or federal offices, council decisions directly shape daily life—zoning, housing, traffic, parks, public safety, and environmental protections. It serves as both a legislative body, setting laws and policies, and as a steward of the city budget, ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Councilmembers also act as connectors between residents, city staff, and regional agencies, making sure local voices are represented in broader policy conversations. This mix of legislative authority, fiscal oversight, and community accountability makes the office a vital and accessible part of our democratic system, where residents can truly see their input turned into action.
In politics, I look up to leaders like President Barack Obama and President Bill Clinton. Both combined vision with practical solutions, and both showed how empathy and communication can bring people together across divides. Obama inspired me with his message of hope and his ability to connect deeply with ordinary people, while Clinton’s focus on economic growth and opportunity demonstrated how government can create real pathways for families and businesses to succeed. Their examples remind me that leadership is about listening, building trust, and finding common ground to solve problems. As a councilmember, I want to bring that same mix of compassion, pragmatism, and commitment to opportunity to the people of Issaquah.
For me, the most important characteristics of an elected official are integrity, transparency, and accountability. Leaders must listen to residents with respect, communicate honestly, and make decisions that put community needs ahead of personal or political interests. An effective councilmember should also bring collaboration—working with businesses, nonprofits, regional partners, and neighbors to find solutions that work for Issaquah. Equally important are fiscal responsibility and long-term thinking: managing limited resources wisely today while planning for future generations. Finally, compassion matters—understanding the challenges families, seniors, and small businesses face and ensuring their voices are heard. These principles guide my service now and will continue to guide me as your councilmember.
The core responsibilities of a City Councilmember are to represent residents, steward public resources wisely, and set policies that shape Issaquah’s future. That means listening to the community, ensuring transparency in decision-making, and balancing today’s needs with long-term planning. Councilmembers must oversee budgets responsibly, adopt fair regulations, and support services that keep our city safe, livable, and inclusive. They also serve as bridge-builders—working with staff, regional partners, and community organizations to address housing, transportation, economic development, and environmental stewardship. Above all, the role is about accountability to the people of Issaquah and making sure every decision reflects the values and priorities of those who call our city home.
I want my legacy to be an Issaquah that is easier to live in—where families can afford to stay, where seniors and young people alike feel supported, and where small businesses can thrive without unnecessary barriers. My goal is to help create a city that is not a burden on its residents or businesses, but instead a partner in their success. That means streamlining processes, managing resources responsibly, and planning growth in a way that protects our environment and preserves our quality of life. If, years from now, people can say Issaquah became more livable, more affordable, and more balanced because of my service, I will consider that the legacy I set out to achieve.
The first historical event I remember is Perestroika and the fall of the Soviet Union, which I experienced between the ages of 4 and 10. Growing up during that time of rapid change gave me an early understanding of how deeply government decisions impact families and communities, and it shaped my belief in resilience, adaptability, and the importance of democratic values.
My very first job was as a dance coach and studio owner, a role I started more than 31 years ago. What began as a passion for teaching quickly grew into a lifelong career as a small business owner—managing students, staff, operations, and finances. That experience shaped my understanding of hard work, perseverance, and community-building, and continues to guide how I approach leadership and problem-solving today.
One responsibility many residents don’t realize is how much the City Council shapes the future through land use, zoning, and permitting decisions. These choices determine what types of housing can be built, where businesses can grow, and how traffic and infrastructure are managed. Council also directs how state and federal funds are used locally, meaning decisions in Issaquah can unlock—or limit—resources for transportation, human services, and environmental projects. These powers may not make headlines, but they directly influence affordability, mobility, and quality of life in Issaquah every single day.
Yes. While passion and fresh ideas are important, I believe it is essential for councilmembers to have prior service on boards or commissions. Commission work provides hands-on experience with zoning, transportation, housing, and budget issues—the very policies the council must decide. Serving on the Planning Policy Commission and committees for commercial property and climate action has given me a deep understanding of Issaquah’s challenges and how to balance competing priorities. It also teaches collaboration with staff, residents, and regional partners, and builds the skills needed for thoughtful, responsible decision-making. This background ensures a councilmember can be effective from day one and represent the community with knowledge and accountability.
The most helpful skills for a City Councilmember are financial literacy, collaborative problem-solving, and a strong understanding of planning and land use. Councilmembers oversee multi-million-dollar budgets, so the ability to analyze numbers and make responsible long-term decisions is essential. Experience with zoning, housing, and transportation helps ensure growth is balanced with affordability and environmental protection. Equally important are communication and listening skills—residents expect leaders who engage with them directly, hear concerns, and translate that feedback into action. Finally, adaptability and innovation matter: with budget pressures and rapid growth, councilmembers must find creative solutions to complex challenges while staying rooted in community values.
City Council is unique in local government because it is the body where residents’ voices most directly shape policy. Unlike higher levels of government, council decisions—on housing, traffic, parks, safety, and environmental protections—immediately affect daily life in Issaquah. The council holds both legislative and fiscal authority: setting local laws, adopting zoning codes, and approving the city’s budget. It also provides oversight of city departments and ensures accountability in how public funds are spent. Just as importantly, councilmembers serve as direct links between the community and city staff, making sure resident concerns are translated into action. This blend of accessibility, policymaking, and financial stewardship makes the office a vital cornerstone of local democracy.
King County Democrats, 5thLD Democrats, IAFF local 1762 Firefighters, Eastside Business Alliance, KC Realtors, National Women Political Caucus, Fair Vote, Women of Color in Politics, LPAC
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 Zakharoff completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
