Erica Tomas and Brian Lott are vying for Auburn City Council Position 4, the lone open seat on the council in the Nov. 4 general election. Here’s a quick recap of the candidates.

Erica Tomas

Education: BA in science from University of Washington, master’s of public health from George Washington University.

Occupation: Epidemiologist, Washington State Department of Health.

Statement: Auburn is a city that’s growing; the infrastructure and community supports that we have now were not made for the city we are today. I am running for city council because I want to make sure as Auburn grows, we aren’t just tackling problems facing us now, but planning for the future too. As a proud union member, I will always advocate for the needs of working people of all ages who call Auburn home. That means increasing the affordable housing supply; that means increasing transit options; that means building grocery stores, amenities, and community gathering places; that means making sure good-paying union jobs are brought to and kept here in Auburn. And it means ensuring Auburn is ready to welcome all who are looking for a place to prosper and grow.

Articulated at candidate forums: Tomas said high revenue generating industries in South King County, like Boeing and Amazon, should pay more into the Auburn community at large. “They are building their wealth and financing off the people here in Auburn who work for them, who may make a decent wage if they work for places like Boeing, but definitely not Amazon. These companies could be doing lot a more chipping in to help us out through higher tax burdens.” She suggested forming public-private partnerships with the big companies, which “could help fund more things to make this a place where people who work at these companies can afford to live and stay here.”

Brian Lott

Education: Bellevue College, professional training in business management and project leadership.

Occupation: Small business owner and senior project manager.

Statement: Auburn deserves leadership grounded in practical solutions, accountability, and integrity. I bring those values to every decision I make. With a background in project management and business ownership, I know how to cut through bureaucracy to get things done. I’ll support effective community policing, youth outreach, and local solutions to homelessness that combine housing, mental health treatment, and job training. I’ll push to reduce red tape for small businesses and affordable housing projects, enabling growth in ways that serve working families and help ease the cost of living. Reviving downtown Auburn is key to our city’s future. I’ll champion smart growth that fills storefronts, creates jobs, and strengthens our sense of community.

Articulated at candidate forums: Lott opposes raising taxes, and said he won’t raise them just to bring in more tax-generating businesses. He favors a complete review of the city budget to figure out what is measurable and transparent, to determine what’s sustainable, and what are wins and what are losses. “I am looking at buying wins, not buying losses,” Lott said. He questions the 35 percent increase in administrative spending that has occurred since he and his family arrived in Auburn in 2019, and “what Auburn residents are getting for their money.”