{"id":21711,"date":"2026-04-29T11:17:18","modified":"2026-04-29T13:28:40","slug":"councilmembers-rinck-and-foster-join-call-for-king-county-assessor-to-step-down-immediately","link":"https:\/\/council.seattle.gov\/2026\/04\/29\/councilmembers-rinck-and-foster-join-call-for-king-county-assessor-to-step-down-immediately\/","title":{"rendered":"Councilmembers Rinck and Foster join call for King County Assessor to step down immediately"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>\u2018Ongoing legal and ethics issues undermine public trust required for public service\u2019<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today <strong>Councilmembers <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/seattle.gov\/council\/members\/dionne-foster\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Dionne Foster<\/strong><\/a> (Position 9) and <a href=\"https:\/\/seattle.gov\/council\/members\/alexis-mercedes-rinck\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Alexis Mercedes Rinck<\/strong><\/a> (Position 8) are the latest regional leaders to demand that King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson step down. The call for his immediate resignation stems from a series of disturbing criminal allegations involving a former partner. This follows a <a href=\"https:\/\/kingcounty.gov\/en\/dept\/council\/governance-leadership\/county-council\/newsroom\/2026\/04-21-letter-county-assessor-resign\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">second unanimous vote by the Metropolitan King County Council<\/a> last week urging him to resign as well as other groups such as the Seattle Women\u2019s Commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe seriousness of these charges against you raises profound concerns about your judgment, your respect for the law, and your ability to serve the public. These concerns have only been intensified by your recent social media posts, which appear to minimize the gravity of the situation and undermine confidence in the judicial process,\u201d noted <strong>Councilmembers Rinck and Foster<\/strong> in a <a href=\"https:\/\/protect2.fireeye.com\/v1\/url?k=31323334-50bba2bf-31321b84-4544474f5631-b2ddd8e40b953bbd&amp;q=1&amp;e=4a6eceb9-cfb4-4837-b628-5494e5d08415&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Flinks-1.govdelivery.com%2FCL0%2Fhttps%3A%252F%252Fcouncil.seattle.gov%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2026%252F04%252FRinck-Foster_Letter-to-King-County-Assessor.pdf%253Futm_medium%3Demail%2526utm_source%3Dgovdelivery%2F1%2F0100019dda4d1cd1-62f20617-3d40-4183-b338-7b3668895a3d-000000%2FT0ghpVPAunFA4HqglI7cUjPKimnLxRZHHVOC5spcZr0%3D452\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">joint letter<\/a> sent earlier today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMost importantly, domestic violence and stalking are serious issues that affect individuals and families across our region,\u201d the letter continues. \u201cPublic leadership requires not only compliance with the law, but a demonstrated commitment to the safety and dignity of others. That standard is not being met&#8230;for the good of the public and to restore trust in the office, we urge you to resign immediately.\u201d <br><br>On July 2, 2025, Wilson was arrested for allegedly violating a no-contact order by appearing near the home of a former partner. He had previously been charged in March with two counts of violating that same protective order. Demands for his resignation intensified last week after Wilson published several social media posts that appeared to mock both the charges and the judicial process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em># # #<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false}}