Published April 16 2025
Council appointment runs through November general election
The City Council Tuesday unanimously appointed community member and Planning Commission member Vishal Bhargava to serve a partial term on the council once current Councilmember John Stokes vacates his seat May 2 to focus on his family.
The council conducted a public call for applicants and interview process less than a month ago to fill former Councilmember Janice Zahn’s Position 5 council seat after she was selected to serve in the State Legislature. Councilmember Claire Sumadiwirya was selected for that seat and sworn in at the April 1 council meeting. Four highly qualified finalist candidates remained from that process, so the council selected Bhargava from among them.
“It was a very hard choice. Everybody was extremely well qualified, and we appreciate so much the community’s desire to be on the dais with us,” said Mayor Lynne Robinson.
Bhargava has been a member of Bellevue’s Planning Commission since 2020 and brings more than a decade of experience in urban planning, technology leadership and community service, including cofounding a mental health advocacy organization.
His priorities include affordable housing and sustainable growth, enhancing public safety with expanded mental health resources and promoting economic development through innovation and workforce investment. During the interview process, Bhargava mentioned his approach is rooted in a data-driven, collaborative approach that aims to foster an inclusive, resilient Bellevue, balancing growth with quality of life for all community members.
The appointment terms for both Bhargava and Sumadiwirya end after certification of the November general election. The person elected for Position 1 in this year’s race would be sworn in once the election is certified and serve through Stokes’ original term ending Dec. 31, 2027.
To serve on the council, community members must have lived in Bellevue for at least a year prior to the election and be a registered voter. The deadline to file for candidacy with King County Elections for the November election is May 9.
Bellevue operates under a council-manager form of government, with the council selecting a city manager who oversees all city operations. The council is made up of seven members elected at large who serve staggered four-year terms and select a mayor and deputy mayor from among themselves.
For more information, visit City Council.