Council selects Howe as mayor, Lam as deputy
The Sammamish City Council unanimously elected Karen Howe as mayor and Amy Lam as deputy mayor during their Jan. 7 council meeting.
These roles in the city government are symbolic. The mayor and deputy mayor’s votes are counted equally to the other council members.
Howe’s ascension to the role of mayor comes after a long road of personal challenges and victories. After two unsuccessful runs for council, she was narrowly elected on her third attempt in 2021. In early 2024, she became the city’s deputy mayor.
“Over the past 3 years I’ve learned a tremendous amount and as a result, my opinions and points of view have evolved,” said Howe in a written response to the Sammamish Independent. “I’ve become more pragmatic and strive towards practical, workable solutions. But I’m still an optimist.”
Among Howe’s long term goals are increasing Sammamish’s walkability and the amount of affordable housing. In alignment with these goals and the comprehensive plan, Howe is pushing for the development and urbanization of the town center.
“The most visible aspect is the new housing and commercial space coming into the Town Center,” said Howe. “Soon there will be new townhomes and condos and other housing options, all within easy walking distance to shops, services, schools, and transit.”
In the short term, Howe will focus on balancing the city budget. This comes at a time when the city is facing a budget deficit.
“We need more equitable and progressive tools to help us raise revenues without creating a cost burden for residents,” said Howe. “Today we get 60% of our revenue from property taxes. Diversifying revenue sources only makes sense.”
Lam is serving her second stint as deputy mayor. She previously served as deputy mayor from 2022 to 2023.
“I ran for council in 2021 alongside Mayor Howe and together, we complement each other’s strengths,” said Lam in an email to the Sammamish Independent. “I’m excited to continue working with her.”
Lam maintains her commitment to environmental sustainability, affordable housing, the town center development, and diversity. Lam was the first Asian American to have ever been elected to the council.
In the short term, Lam is also passionate about addressing waste management.
“After spending much of my career designing consumer packaging – much of which ended up in landfills – I’m compelled to find ways to keep things out of landfill,” Lam said. “I’m currently on the King County Solid Waste Advisory Committee and I’m continuously looking at ways to improve our City’s approach to solid waste management.”
Both Howe and Lam are up for re-election in November. Kali Clark, who was the previous mayor, will serve the rest of her current term as a council member, which lasts through the end of 2025.
“Mayor Clark was an amazing mayor,” said Howe. “I hope to emulate much of what she did.”
