Port Townsend City Councilmember Pamela Adams announced that she will not be running for re-election.

Photo courtesy of the city of Port Townsend

Port Townsend City Councilmember Pamela Adams said Thursday that she would not be seeking re-election this year.

Adams’ statement followed on the heels of Councilmember Ariel Speser’s announcement that she would not be seeking a second term on council.

“When Ariel told me she was not running again, I had to think again,” Adams said in an email to The Leader. “Three new council members at one time is not ideal. The learning curve is very steep unless one has worked in government before.”

“If not for the pandemic, the isolation, the stress, I would probably have decided to run again,” the two-term councilmember continued. “I love the privilege of serving this community as a councilmember.”

Adams said she was proud of the work she’s been able to accomplish in her eight years on the council.

“During my two terms we approved the stormwater plan, Howard Street Sub Area Plan, East Jefferson Fire Rescue annexation. We enabled the affordable housing task force and the homelessness five-year plan,” she added.

Adams also lauded the work of the council to assist the local business community during the rigors of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We worked hard throughout the pandemic to be flexible and make the impact on our businesses and residents less painful,” she said. “Serving on the Jefferson County Board of Health during this time was a rare privilege. I am very proud of the council’s work on safety and policing in response to Black Lives Matter.”

“I thank the city staff for their help and dedication throughout my two terms,” Adams added. “I will be looking for new challenges and ways to continue to be involved.”

The Port Townsend City Council will have three seats to fill this coming election as Mayor Michelle Sandoval (Position 1), Speser (Position 2), and Adams (Position 5) will not be running for re-election.