Nilu Jenks grabbed 58.5% of the vote in Tuesday's first ballot count for the Seattle City Council District 5 special election, opening a 17-point lead over Julie Kang.

Jenks collected 15,122 votes to Kang's 10,626, according to Fox 13 Seattle, citing King County Elections data. Ballots are still being counted. The results are unofficial.

If Jenks' lead holds, she would join Councilmembers Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Dionne Foster and Eddie Lin in a progressive bloc, The Seattle Times first reported. That group, along with Mayor Katie Wilson, would have a solid hold on the council but still fall short of a majority, the Times reported.

A Kang win would tilt the other way. She would find common ground with Councilmembers Bob Kettle and Maritza Rivera, who align with the center and are frequent critics of Wilson, according to the Times.

For residents in Queen Anne, Magnolia and Ballard, Kettle represents District 7 and the outcome of this race could shape how his votes land on housing, public safety and budget fights.

The District 5 seat returns to the ballot in 2027 for a full four-year term. Both Jenks and Kang plan to run again, Fox 13 reported.

What the candidates said

Jenks stopped short of declaring victory on election night.

"I'm waiting for the votes to continue to come in, I want to honor the process," Jenks told the Seattle Times. "Hopefully the returns will continue to come in a way that makes me happy."

Kang, a Seattle University administrator, said she remained hopeful. "I think it's still early," Kang said, pointing to ballots still left to count. "Whatever happens, I'm grateful for the community and knowing that we're getting the attention we deserve in District 5."

Aurora Avenue and public safety

District 5 stretches across North Seattle from Lake Washington to Puget Sound along the Shoreline border. Residents describe the area as neglected by the city, the Times reported, pointing to a lack of sidewalks. Crime along Aurora Avenue North, including gun violence and the sex trade, has been a central campaign issue.

The candidates split on how to address it. Kang supports "stay out" prostitution zones on Aurora, CCTV surveillance cameras with privacy protections, hiring more police officers and funding gun violence prevention, according to the Times. Jenks also supports increased police staffing but rejects the stay-out orders, instead advocating for alternative response teams, Fox 13 reported.

How the seat opened

The District 5 seat was vacated when former Councilmember Cathy Moore stepped down in June 2025, triggering the special election. Former Councilmember Debora Juarez was temporarily appointed to fill the vacancy, the Times reported.

Jenks, the political and partnerships director at FairVote Washington, has pushed for more frequent bus service, pocket parks, multifamily housing and easier permitting for developers. She also wants to work with state lawmakers on a land value tax to encourage homebuilding.

Kang, who co-founded Pacific International Bank in 2001, has emphasized her management experience and priorities including lowering barriers for homebuilders and helping older adults who don't speak English.

King County Elections will continue posting updated results on a rolling basis.