In the August 5 nonpartisan primaries for Seattle school board, incumbent Sarah Clark and Kathleen Smith advanced in District 2, incumbent Joe Mizrahi and Laura Marie Rivera advanced in District 4, and Vivian Song and Janis White advanced in District 5. The District 7 nonpartisan primary was canceled, and the only two candidates — Jen LaVallee and Carol Rava — advanced to the general election. Primary election voting occurred within each geographic district, but the November general election is citywide.
Election context
The primary elections came after a number of proposed school closures drew public protest. As a cost-saving measure to address the district's estimated $94 million budget shortfall, superintendent Brent Jones originally proposed closing as many as 21 schools in September 2024. Then-school board President Liza Rankin said, "This is a hard decision. But it’s the one that has to be made in order to best serve our students today and sustain our district into the future.” The school closure proposals were later rescinded.
In October 2024, the district announced the names of the schools it planned to close — a list reduced to four following community pushback led by a group called All Together for Seattle Schools. It described itself as a "parent-led coalition to ensure SPS schools remain open and amply funded." In late November, the superintendent announced that the district would not close any schools for the 2025-2026 school year and would seek financial help from the state. The board voted unanimously to approve the pause on closures.
On November 8, 2024, a group of parents had filed a recall petition against Rankin over her treatment of the school closure process, stating, "Director Rankin acted arbitrarily and capriciously by advancing a knowingly flawed school closure process, without regard to the attending facts and circumstances." After a judge dismissed the recall in December 2024 citing insufficient evidence, Rankin stated, "We still have a budget deficit that has to be dealt with. We are, by the numbers, operating a higher number of buildings than is efficient for the number of students we have. Those are all very real things that haven’t gone away, that we still have to grapple with." The school board selected Gina Topp as its new president during its regular leadership selections in December 2024.
The races in Districts 2 and 4 featured incumbents Sarah Clark and Joe Mizrahi, respectively, both of whom were appointed by the school board to fill vacancies in April 2024. The vacancies resulted from two resignations over district residency issues. One of the resigned board members, Vivian Song from District 4, ran in 2025 for District 5.
In the races below, All Together for Seattle Schools, which opposed school closures, endorsed the following candidates: Sarah Clark (District 2), Joe Mizrahi (District 4), and Vivian Song (District 5). The group endorsed Jen LaVallee, who proceeded directly to the general election, for District 7. The group wrote, "We have an opportunity to elect four board members who will steer the district in a new and better direction. We can reject failed policies such as closing schools, taking away options, rejecting academic rigor, neglecting student safety, abandoning financial oversight, and refusing to treat families as partners in education."
District 2
Clark and Smith defeated Eric Feeny in the District 2 primary.
Clark was the director of policy for the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce at the time of the election. She was appointed to the board to fill a vacancy in April 2024. She earned her master's degree in education policy. According to her campaign website, her vision included making schools safer for students, achieving equity, and improving transparency.
Smith was a mathematician at the time of the election whose campaign website says she ran because "Seattle is facing a budget crisis, irresponsible closure plans, lack of accountability, and deepening inequities. She is running because she wants her children to enter a public school system that balances its budget equitably rather than cutting resources from our most vulnerable communities."
Feeny studied mechanical engineering and history at Stanford University and worked in software at the time of the election. His campaign website stated, "The number one goal of SPS needs to be academic excellence for all. We suffer from a minimum standard approach that is not pushing students to be their best. We have been arguing about seats on a sinking ship. We’ve been pursuing equity by lowering the bar, not elevating everybody to their highest level."
District 4
Mizrahi and Rivera defeated Bill Campbell, Gloria Suella Menchaca, and Harsimran Kaur in the District 4 primary. Additional information about Campbell and Kaur was unavailable ahead of the primary election.
At the time of the election, Mizrahi was a lawyer and secretary-treasurer of UFCW 3000, which his campaign website called "Washington’s largest union, representing 60,000 members across grocery, healthcare, and retail sectors." He was appointed to the board alongside Clark in 2024. His website listed the priorities "building a strong fiscal future," "defending our values," and "putting community voices first."
Rivera, who also ran in 2021, earned her bachelor's degree from UCLA in 1998 and graduate degree from Bank Street College of Education in 2015. Her campaign website stated, "I am a mother, an educator, a nonprofit professional, and a champion of the arts. I believe in the power of public education and that we have a responsibility to not only our students, but our society as a whole. The Seattle Public Schools system has the opportunity and obligation to give our children the tools they will need for the future."
Menchaca was a neuroscientist at the time of the election whose campaign website described her as a "Scientist—not a politician," and said to vote for her "because we deserve a school board that reflects the brilliance, resilience, and diversity of our city. Vote for a leader who will fight for transparency, equity, and fully funded public schools."
District 5
Song and White defeated Landon Labosky, Julissa Sanchez, and Allycea Weil in the District 5 primary. Incumbent Michelle Sarju did not run for re-election.
Song was a finance professional and served on the board from 2021 until her resignation in 2024 over a district residency issue. She earned her bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in business administration. Her campaign website listed the following priorities: "equity through excellence," "stable, fully funded schools, "a diverse portfolio of schools for a diverse community," "prioritizing student safety and well-being," and "accountable, transparent, and inclusive leadership."
White was the founding president of All Youth Belong, which her campaign website described as "a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing inclusion and belonging for disabled youth in community life." Her campaign website listed the following as key issues: "fighting for high achievement programs," "transparent and responsible budgeting," "supporting students with disabilities," "addressing the crisis of student mental health," and "equity and inclusion."
Labosky was an aquatics manager for the city of Covington heading into the election. He earned his master's degree in public administration. His campaign website listed the following priorities: "balance the budget," "address the funding structure for Seattle public schools," "increase transparency in communication to parents/public," "advocate for collaboration between Seattle Public Schools, City of Seattle, and King County," and "ensure high-quality education for every student."
Sanchez was director of advocacy at CHOOSE 180 going into the primary, whose website said it "transforms systems of injustice & supports the young people who are too often impacted by those systems." Her campaign website listed the following priorities: "Building safe, inclusive schools where every student thrives," "ensuring responsible, transparent budgeting that puts students first," and "building trust as a bridge between the district and our communities."
Weil was a member of the Equity and Race Advisory Committee to the superintendent at the time of the election. Her campaign website stated, "How can we trust an institution that breaks its promises, threatens devastating closures without a clear plan, and refuses to truly prioritize the most vulnerable." Her campaign website listed the following as part of her plan: "find long-term superintendent," "rebuild trust & sustainable budget," and "empower youth, our educators & community."