SEATTLE — King County Council’s first Latino council members are expected to be sworn in Tuesday in a historic moment.
Jorge L. Barón will be sworn in to the District 4 seat and Teresa Mosqueda will be sworn in to the District 8 seat. Both were elected in November.
District 4 covers Seattle’s Ballard, Fremont, Magnolia, Green Lake and Broadview neighborhoods. District 8 covers downtown Seattle, West Seattle, Burien and part of Tukwila.
Mosqueda most recently spent two terms on Seattle City Council in a citywide position. She also served as the government affairs director for the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-Cio and worked for SeaMar Community Health Centers, the state Department of Health and Children's Alliance.
During her campaign last year, Mosqueda focused on public health and safety investments, housing and economic opportunities.
Barón, an attorney, most recently served as the executive director for the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, where he worked for more than 17 years.
During his campaign last year, Barón promised investments to improve public safety, climate resilience initiatives, affordable childcare and a robust transportation system.
Mosqueda and Barón are the first Latino individuals elected to King County Council, according to the governing body.
Mosqueda will replace Joe McDermott, who chose not to seek re-election. Barón will replace Jeanne Kohl-Welles, who retired after more than 30 years in elected office.
In the November general election, Mosqueda defeated Burien Mayor Sophia Aragon for the seat. Barón beat opponent Sarah Reyneveld, an assistant attorney general for the state Attorney General’s Office.