Pierce County Council member to resign next month after less than two years on the job
Pierce County Council Member Hans Zeiger announced Friday he will resign as the District 2 representative.
His last day is July 31. His next job will be as president of the Jack Miller Center, a nonprofit that works to advance American history and civics education.
Zeiger, a Republican, represented Puyallup, South Hill, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Pacific and Summit View since January 2021. He previously served as a Washington state representative and state senator for the 25th district.
“My time in state and local government has been an adventure and a privilege, filled with the joys and challenges of collaboration and problem-solving and service,” Zeiger said in a letter announcing his resignation. “Representative democracy has been called an ‘experiment in self-government,’ and I will bring all the lessons and experiences of my time in state and local service with me to the work of advancing America’s civic ideals.”
Council Chair Derek Young said in a statement he appreciated Zeiger’s hard work for Pierce County residents.
“While we’re sad to see him go, we are excited for him to embark on this next chapter in his career,” Young added.
To fill Zeiger’s vacancy, the local Republican Party precinct officers will submit three nominees to council for consideration. The council will review, interview and appoint a person to fill the vacancy. The council can’t take action to fill the position until it is vacated. The salary for the District 2 council position is $120,284.
“For our District 2 neighbors: I want you to know we will work with the party to quickly fill the position so that you do not go without Council representation,” Young said.
Citizens who have been registered voters in the district for at least one year are eligible to seek appointment to the seat.
Zeiger said he is excited for the work ahead as the president of the Jack Miller Center.
“I am fascinated by our country’s history and the history of our communities, and I love the central ideas of America found in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution—ideas that deserve serious attention in each generation,” he said in the letter. “In my new role, I will be working closely with civic educators, historians and scholars of American political thought as they teach the rising generation about the meaning of America.”
Zeiger said he will have more to say about public service and local government in the weeks ahead.
“For now, let me just say thank you for the opportunity you have given me to serve our community,” he said.
This story was originally published June 17, 2022 at 12:35 PM.