Mayor Kelli Curtis Selected to Continue as Mayor of Kirkland

Published on January 07, 2026

Media Contact: 
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov

During its January 6, 2026, Council meeting, the Kirkland City Council selected Mayor Kelli Curtis to continue to serve as mayor and Councilmember Neal Black to serve as deputy mayor.

Mayor Curtis was appointed to the Council in February 2019 and elected to her first term in November 2019. She was re-elected to her second term in 2023 and selected to be Mayor in January 2024. Mayor Curtis has lived in Kirkland for almost 30 years. 

“It is my deep honor to be selected by my colleagues to continue to lead the Council as Mayor,” said Mayor Kelli Curtis. “Kirkland is truly an extraordinary place, and I look forward to working alongside this committed, caring Council in service to the Kirkland community. I’m excited about what we can accomplish together as we focus on the opportunities and challenges in front of us.”

As part of her role on the Council, Mayor Curtis advocates Kirkland’s interests by serving on various regional committees, including as the Caucus Vice Chair for the Sound City Association (SCA) King County Growth Management Planning Council, and as a member of the SCA Large City Mayors.

The City of Kirkland operates under the “council-manager” form of government, which means that the mayor’s responsibilities are primarily to preside at council meetings and act as head of the City for ceremonial purposes. The mayor votes as a councilmember and does not have any veto power. 

More information on Mayor Curtis and the City Council can be found on the City’s website: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/City-Council