Gamblin resigns from city council, putting majority in play

Councilmember Ken Gamblin submitted his resignation from Sammamish City Council Wednesday, a move that will whittle the anti-development faction to three seats and effectively puts control of the council in play. 

Gamblin, who was elected in 2019, is vacating his seat two years early. His resignation will be effective on Jan. 17.  

Citing a lack of time for his council member role, Gamblin sent in his resignation letter to the council shortly after the first city council meeting of 2022. 

“Recently, my job duties have increased drastically and unfortunately, I find that I will not be able to contribute the level of time, attention and commitment that being a responsible council member demands,” Gamblin wrote in his email. 

There was some indication that Gamblin was about to resign during the Jan. 4 council meeting. Amid a discussion on which council members should serve at external committees to represent Sammamish, Gamblin said that he was “not in a position” to indicate interest in serving on any external committees. While other council members filled their names in for committee assignments, Gamblin’s name was left out.  

As per Washington state law, the remaining six council members have 90 days, beginning Jan. 17, to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. If they cannot agree on who to appoint, then King County Council will make the appointment instead. Whoever is chosen will serve until the end of 2023, when Gamblin’s term was due to end. 

Gamblin’s resignation marks the end of the anti-development majority on city council for now. Newly elected council members Kali Clark, Karen Howe and Amy Lam — who all supported greater housing affordability and improved livability in Sammamish during the 2021 election — will help choose who their new colleague will be.