Press Release: Councilmember Pérez to serve as 2026 Council President
Published on December 03, 2025
RENTON, WA (DECEMBER 3, 2025) – Councilmember Ruth Pérez has been elected to the position of 2026 City Council President at the December 1, 2025, regular Renton City Council meeting. In her role as Council President, Pérez will set the agenda and conduct Committee of the Whole meetings, which provide in-depth explanations and discussions of topics facing the city.
Councilmember Pérez is serving her fourth term on Renton City Council. First appointed in 2014, Pérez was re-elected in 2017, 2021, and again in November 2025. She previously served as Council President in 2020 and as President Pro Tempore in 2025.
She is the first Latina and immigrant to serve on the Renton City Council. Pérez holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communications and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). She has an extensive background in public service and a professional career in communications, public relations, and marketing.
During her tenure, Pérez has gained a wide array of experience, having chaired and served on every committee of the council. Currently, she serves as chair of the Finance Committee, vice-chair of the Transportation Committee, and a member of the Public Safety Committee.
In 2019, Pérez earned the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities. AWC’s Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership program recognizes city and town elected officials for advanced training in five core areas, including roles and responsibilities, legal requirements, public sector resource management, community planning and development, effective local leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Councilmember Pérez will succeed Councilmember Alberson, who served as Council President for the 2025 calendar year.
Councilmember Ryan McIrvin has been elected President Pro Tempore for the 2026 calendar year. The President Pro Tempore presides over council meetings in the Council President’s absence. Councilmember McIrvin has served on the Renton City Council since his election in 2016. He previously served as the City Council President in 2022.
Councilmember Pérez and Councilmember McIrvin begin their roles in January 2026.
Visit rentonwa.gov to find out more about Renton City Council meetings. Regular City Council meetings occur at 7 p.m. on Monday evenings at Renton City Hall, and are broadcast live on Channel 21, the city’s public access cable station, as well as on rentonwa.gov.
Past meetings are available the next day on the City of Renton YouTube channel.
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About the City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 108,800 (2024), is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace, and favorable business climate have attracted nationally recognized companies wishing to provide employees and their families with an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, Super Bowl Champion (2014) Seattle Seahawks, two-time (2016 & 2019) MLS champion and CONCACAF Champion (2022) Seattle Sounders FC (in 2024), and the eternal resting place of rock icon Jimi Hendrix. You can find more information on our website, news releases, Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.