One of the 11 candidates running for Mike O’Brien’s soon-to-be-vacated city council seat is a former councilmember, Heidi Wills.
Wills served on the city council in the early 2000s, but was ousted after her involvement in the “Strippergate” fiasco in 2003 when thousands of dollars of campaign contributions were connected to a strip-club owner looking for a zoning change. She was fined $1,500 for her part in the ethics scandal. According to a report in The Seattle Times, Wills explains that she didn’t realize the contributions were “bundled”. “Looking back, I wish I had asked more questions,” she told the Times. “But I’ve gained a lot of life experience since then.”
Since her time on city council, Wills has served as executive director for The First Tee of Greater Seattle, a nonprofit that teaches golf and provides mentors for kids. Wills has lived in Seattle for 32 years — she has two children, and she and her husband run a small business in Seattle.
Now, 16 years after leaving office, Wills wants back on the council.
While her campaign is still evolving, on her website Wills says, “From tackling affordability, to growing our economy and protecting our environment – I feel an immense responsibility to ensure future generations can live and thrive in our city.”
Wills is one of 11 candidates running for the D6 seat on city council — for a full list of the candidates and their campaign websites, click here.
To stay updated on Wills’ campaign, follow her website.