Susan Honda (Mayor of Federal Way, Washington, candidate 2025)

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Susan Honda

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Mayor of Federal Way

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Personal

Birthplace

Tacoma, WA

Religion

Presbyterian

Profession

City council member

Contact

Campaign website

Susan Honda ran for election to the Mayor of Federal Way in Washington. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

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

Biography

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

• Birth date: February 28, 1958
• Birth place: Tacoma, Washington
• High school: Stadium High School
• Other: Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing, 1979
• Gender: Female
• Religion: Presbyterian
• Profession: City Council Member
• Prior offices held:
  • Council Member (2012-Prsnt)
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Leadership that listens experience that delivers. Integrity and Vision
• Campaign website

Elections

General election

General election for Mayor of Federal Way

Jim Ferrell and Susan Honda ran in the general election for Mayor of Federal Way on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Jim Ferrell (Nonpartisan)
		Susan Honda (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= 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 Mayor of Federal Way

Saudia Abdullah, Chris D. Chung, Jim Ferrell, and Susan Honda ran in the primary for Mayor of Federal Way on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Saudia Abdullah (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Chris D. Chung (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Jim Ferrell (Nonpartisan)
		Susan Honda (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= 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.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Honda in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Susan Honda completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Honda's responses.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Tacoma Wa. and attended Stadium High School. Go Tigers!

I attended the Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing and took classes from the University of Puget Sound. In September of 1979 I married my husband and started working as a Registered Nurse and loved nursing. Eventually my family grew to 3 children and I chose to stay home. I volunteered as a school volunteer, PTA President for 10 years among many other duties in the PTA. I was involved in Boy Scouts and still am today. I was a Girl Scout leader for my daughter’s troop and was involved in our church, sports, art groups and other community events. I became involved in the City of Federal Way serving on the Arts and the Diversity Commissions becoming Chair of both those commissions. I ran for City Council in 2011 and took office in January of 2012. I have stayed involved in the community as a member of the Soroptimist Club and the Kiwanis Club serving as President in both those organizations. I was elected and served as Deputy Mayor/Council President for 6 years and have served in many committees as a Council Member.

I am committed to our City and serving those who live, work and visit.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am committed to strengthening public safety in Federal Way by ensuring our police department is fully staffed, well trained, and supported with community resources. Everyone deserves to feel safe at homes, in neighborhoods, parks and public spaces.
• I bring experienced collaborative leadership that puts people before politics. As a City Council Member I know how to build consensus and make decisions that reflect the values and needs of our diverse community.
• I believe in transparent and responsible governance. I will work to restore trust in City Hall by increasing public engagement, improving fiscal oversight, and making decisions more accessible and accountable for the people we serve.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public safety, economic development, housing access and affordable, and civic engagement. Local government should focus on building safe communities, create opportunities for residents and businesses to thrive and succeed, and ensure every voice is heard in shaping our city’s future.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Not that I can think of but I am always available for someone to talk with me.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, transparency, empathy, accountability, and honesty are essential. An elected official should listen to constituents, lead with fairness, and be willing to make difficult decisions guided by the public good, not personal ambition or political pressure.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I enjoy serving people and helping them. That is why I went into nursing. I am a good listener, ask questions, research issues. I am honest and ethical and have the experience needed to be Mayor of the City of Federal Way.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The mayor must serve as a unifying leader, responsible for setting the vision for the City. The mayor must ensure that city departments are operating efficiently and serving the people. The mayor should represent the City locally, regionally, at the State and Federal levels.
And the mayor must work with the City Council and the community to address challenges with integrity and transparency..

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the day President Kennedy was shot and killed. We were dismissed from school early and had to walk home. The school buses were not available. I remember how sad everyone was.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Picking strawberries in the Puyallup Valley. Moved on to babysitting and working in a movie theater making popcorn.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

Being a mayor means being the chief advocate and voice for the people of the City. It involves listening, leading with vision, empowering others, and creating solutions to complex issues. A good mayor brings people together and puts the community before politics and special interests.

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

We are a strong mayor/council form of government

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

The mayor’s top priority should be setting clear policy goals with the city council and implement them effectively. The mayor should have an open door to the council members and willing to meet with them at any time,

The mayor should communicate with the city council members and provide information.

The mayor should serve as a bridge between the public and the city government, ensuring community needs are reflected in city services.

What do you love most about your city?

I love Federal Way’s diversity, resilience, and the deep sense of community among the people here. We are home to people from many backgrounds and that diversity is one of greatest strengths. I also appreciate our natural beauty, from our parks to the many lakes and the Puget Sound. And I love the pride that people take in making our city better.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Federal Way must address crime, economic inequality, homelessness, and our aging infrastructure. We need smart growth strategies, stronger partnerships across agencies and more investment in public safety, housing, youth services, senior services, and our park system. We must work hard to restore public trust in city leadership though transparency and engagement.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

It should be a respectful and collaborative partnership.. The city should advocate for state policies and funding that support local priorities-especially public safety, transportation, and housing-while maintaining the ability to govern based on our unique needs in Federal Way.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

The city should work with the federal government to access resources, grants, and infrastructure support. Our leaders must also advocate for policies that benefit residents and ensure Federal Way’s needs are represented in national decisions.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement?

The relationship must be based on trust, accountability and shared goals. The mayor should support law enforcement while also ensuring that policies reflect community values, promote transparency, and strengthen public trust in policing through oversight and community engagement.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington
I have been supported by many residents and businesses in Federal Way and elected leaders in the City and region.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe that residents deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent. Financial transparency builds public trust and is essential for accountability. I support open budgeting processes, audits, and making financial documents easily accessible and understandable for the public.

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 Honda completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• VoteWA Profile

See also

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Candidate

Mayor of Federal Way

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