Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan says she won’t seek a second term 

Council members react with appreciation and respect

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Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan announced that she will not seek reelection in 2025, citing personal and family reasons for why she won’t serve a second term. 

Sullivan announced this towards the end of the Tumwater City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 19.  

After giving her usual updates to the council, the mayor started talking about her history with Tumwater. She said her involvement with the city began when she was first appointed to the Tumwater Planning Commission in 2003, where she served for ten years, seven years of which she served as chair.  

She then ran for city council and was elected twice before succeeding former mayor Pete Kmet to become the first woman mayor of Tumwater in 2022. 

“I've always taken the responsibility of being the first woman mayor in Tumwater seriously and always wanted to be the best example of leadership possible,” Sullivan said. 

“I have always strived to be an example of collaborative leadership and try to keep politics out of being the executive for the city as much as possible,” she added before continuing with her upbringing and work history. 

“Some people know I grew up on a ranch in Montana. And as very young age, I was responsible for caring for many animals. We raised horses and also registered AKC dogs.  I was responsible for training horses at the age of 12, including the years when we had 35 head of horses, which we used for guided tours,” Sullivan said. 

“My employment history included small business owner, working for large international companies, a non-profit, a trade association, and then state government… I have known nothing but hard work in my 70 years here on this planet.” 

Sullivan then got emotional as she started talking about her late husband. 

“Midway through my first year as mayor, my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and at the end of that year, he passed away. The end of this month will be the second anniversary of his passing… I've been blessed to have this career, which has helped me process this unexpected and major adjustment in my life,” the mayor said. 

“I had always planned to serve two terms as mayor. However, many discussions with my family who say I work way too hard my whole entire life and it's time for me to retire and enjoy my life more,” Sullivan continued. 

“So tonight, I'm announcing that I will not be seeking a second term as Tumwater mayor and will be serving my final year as mayor completing many of the goals that I set out to achieve.” 

Council members react 

The council members at the meeting bid the mayor with words of appreciation. 

Councilmember Eileen Swarthout said, “Thank you for sharing and your service. It's been amazing serving with you. We still have you this year, so we'll make the best and have the very best year and send you out on a high note.”

Councilmember Kelly Von Holtz said, “As hard as you think it might be to run for a political office, it's a million times harder and especially being a woman. And so I really appreciate you being the first woman mayor of Tumwater.  And thank you for being a mentor to me as well,”  

Councilmember Michael Althauser recalled how he shared with Sullivan his intentions to run for the city council. 

“I remember I told you I was interested in serving the community on city council. And one of your first questions for me wasn't ‘what politics do you ascribe to?’ … It was, ‘who do you want to help?’ I think that question always made an impression on me and I think really spoke to your character and your drive,” Althauser said. 

Councilmember Peter Agabi said Sullivan’s tenure has been “very positive” before suggesting that people might easily overlook her good deeds for her mistakes. 

“Your tenure has been very, very positive, at least from my own standpoint. From the things that you've done, it is easier to point to one mistake than to point to what they have done well because we, as humans, are programmed to find fault in what was not done properly,” Agabi said.  

“For my 62 years on this earth, I can tell you that we will all do the same mistake that every one of us would do, because that is the way life evolves. None of us come to this world being perfect. We learn by mistakes and go and move forward,” Agabi continued. 

Councilmembers Angela Jefferson and Joan Cathey, who spoke directly after Sullivan, were brief in their response but expressed being moved by the mayor’s announcement.

Councilmember Leatta Dahlhoff was absent from the meeting. 

Comments

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  • JnNwmn

    Good Bye Debbie and the chain saw team.

    Thursday, November 21 Report this

  • Joy Johnston

    Mayor Sullivan, thank you for your service to our community in the midst of personal challenges. I deeply admire your strength and commitment in the face of difficult decisions. While it’s understandable to step aside next election, it is a loss for Tumwater. I hope the next person who steps up will serve with equal integrity and selflessness.

    Friday, November 22 Report this

  • OlyBlues

    As someone who supported Mayor Sullivan's election and appreciated her years of service to the city, I could not have been more disappointed in her decision to relentlessly pursue destruction of the historic 400-year old Garry Oak Tree and unilaterally determining she is the ultimate authority on removing the tree. For someone with so much experience in government, this was an incredibly poor decision to choose this hill to die on and consequently, making this her legacy as Mayor. In her last year as Mayor, she has the benefit of refection on her decisions. Continuing to pursue the destruction of this tree despite massive public and council opposition is insane. All of us have made poor decisions in our lives, some do not have the opportunity to remedy them, she does and now is the time to do the right thing.

    Friday, November 22 Report this

  • RondaLarsonKramer

    Thank you, Mayor Sullivan, for this decision. I hope you enjoy retirement.

    Friday, November 22 Report this

  • Southsoundguy

    Vote South Sound Guy, I won't cut down historic trees, I won't sell out our town for federal roundabout grants, and I will make the town wealthy!

    Friday, November 22 Report this

  • 52237123abc

    I had to laugh when the Olympian reported that other council members were”shocked” Sullivan was leaving.

    Several other citizens and I had heard this for the past year.

    Not the first time the Olympian has been manipulated by this mayor.

    Sunday, November 24 Report this