Democratic-backed candidates ahead in early returns for this year's Bellevue City Council races, with only one exception

Once a bedroom community defined by cul-de-sacs and shopping malls, Bellevue has grown into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most dynamic urban centers — a city with highrises that can be seen from miles away. Its transformation has brought some prosperity, but also tension: traffic congestion, soaring housing costs, and a growing debate over what kind of city Bellevue should become in the decades ahead.

The 2025 election offered residents one of the biggest opportunities they’ve ever had to weigh in. With five of seven positions on the ballot, voters had the option to completely remake the Bellevue City Council. Election Night data suggests they want a mix of new and seasoned leadership to guide King County’s second largest city through the next few years, beginning with 2026, when Bellevue is slated to finally get its light rail connection to Seattle as the 2 Line begins operating across Lake Washington.

Let’s go contest-by-contest and look at the initial returns for each Council race.

Council Position #1
The two candidates for Position #1 are Paul Clark and Vishal Bhargava.

In initial returns, Bhargava had a narrow lead over Clark.

Vishal Bhargava | 8,141 votes 51.35%

Paul Clark | 7,679 votes 48.44%

Bhargava, appointed to the council this past spring, has received the bulk of endorsements from elected officials serving Bellevue, including every member of the Bellevue City Council. Clark, by contrast, is endorsed by the Seattle Times and Bellevue Councilmembers Conrad Lee and Jared Nieuwenhuis, both of whom dual-endorsed in this race. Bhargava identifies as a Democrat and has the party’s support for his campaign.

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https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/11/democratic-backed-candidates-ahead-in-early-returns-for-this-years-bellevue-city-council-races-with-only-one-exception.html