West Seattle resident and activist Amanda Kay Helmick has dropped out of the race for Seattle City Council District 1, falling 9 signatures short of getting public signatures in lieu of a filing fee.

In a press release today she said:
"Exactly 7 months after announcing her candidacy for Seattle City Council in District 1, Amanda Kay Helmick has ended her grassroots campaign. Her steadfast choice to gather signatures in lieu of the filing fee was successful in getting 1318 people to sign for her, but fell 9 signatures short.

“I am disappointed in the process and outcome. The last several days of comparing the King County Elections list to the petitions, and speaking to individual signers, has been alarming. Invalid voters on the list had no idea their right to vote is in question. There is room for obvious improvements, and I hope King County Elections is working diligently to rectify the situation. I want to thank everyone who signed and helped me in my bid for inclusion on the ballot. Ultimately, the support I needed was not there.”

Amanda will continue to fight for District 1. She is co-chair of the Westwood/Roxhill/Arbor Heights Community Council, co-chair of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, Delridge Rep to the City Neighborhood Council, and Budget Committee Chair of the City Neighborhood Council. She looks forward to working with the newly elected District 1 Councilmember."

Earlier West Seattle business owner Dave Montoure dropped out and this week announced his support for candidate Phillip Tavel.

Still in the race for the position and campaigning are Chas Redmond, George Capestany, Phillip Tavel, Shannon Braddock, Brianna Thomas and Lisa Herbold.