Tumwater Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff, new council member seated

The new mayor of Tumwater and three city council members were sworn in during a ceremony at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6. 

Leatta Dahlhoff was sworn in as the new mayor by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud. 

Dahlhoff has served on the council since 2018, when she was first appointed to fill a vacancy. 

She later won election to the council in 2019 and was reelected in 2023. From 2024 to 2025, she served as mayor pro tem, a role that presides over council meetings and represents the city in the mayor’s absence. 

Newly elected Council member Meghan Sullivan was also sworn in, replacing former Council member Michael Althouser. Sullivan won the position after securing two-thirds of the vote against challenger Rachelle Martin in the November 2025 General Election.

The other two council members who were sworn in are returning members Eileen Swarthout and Peter Agabi, who were both reelected without opposition. 

Mayor pro tem 

The council elected Kelly Von Holtz as the new mayor pro tem. Council member Joan Cathey nominated Von Holtz, while Agabi nominated Swarthout. 

Before the vote, both nominees said they were honored for the nomination and the chance to follow the footsteps of previous mayor pro tems. 

The winning nominee needed a simple majority during a roll call, with council members being allowed to vote in favor of both. 

Von Holtz secured the role after “yes” votes from herself, Cathey, Sullivan and Angela Jefferson. 

Vacant seat

Because Dahlhoff was elected mayor midway through her council term, the city council is now looking to appoint a replacement to fill the vacancy she left. 

City Attorney Kirkpatrick said  seven applications for the position have been received. 

Council members agreed to meet on Saturday, Jan. 10, to interview the applicants. Kirkpatrick said the appointment of the new council member would be determined by the council members through rank-choice voting, as requested by Dahlhoff.