When Liz Vogeli decided not to run for reelection, the door opened up for new candidates to emerge for South Everett. Three candidates emerged: Niko Battle, Luis Burbano, and Alan Rubio. The Everett City Council is a non-partisan body.
Upon investigating the three candidates, we found one is ineligible for the position. Here’s a look at the three candidates. You can also watch their debate video at the end of the article.
Niko Battle
Niko is a young, well-spoken candidate with a resume that seems primed for a political career. While in high school he was speaking up about gun safety and drew attention locally in his 2016 Washington Caucus pro-Hillary Clinton speech.
Niko is now a debate and political consultant with a long history of helping out candidates in Georgia and Washington.
Unfortunately, Niko Battle is ineligible for the position. According to the Snohomish County Elections division records, Nikolas Battle didn’t register to vote in Snohomish County until May 7th, 2025, which ignores the charter requirements:
“To be eligible to run for Everett City Council, an individual must be a registered voter and resident of the City of Everett for at least one year immediately preceding the election.”
In addition to a 2-month old registration, his mailing address and “season address” list Granite Falls, WA, but a generic Everett apartment address was also provided, but, strangely, with no unit listed. Concerns have also come to our attention with several claims made in Lynnwood Times articles that are very misleading.
You can learn more about Niko at nikobattle.com
Luis Burbano
Luis Burbano describes himself as a sustainability advocate, engineer, father, husband, and small business co-owner. He was born in Ecuador and immigrated to the United States when he was a teenager. He started to advocate for safer roads in district four after he was hit by a car twice while commuting to work by bicycle.
Luis served on the Sound Transit Community Board for the design of the Light Rail coming to Everett. He is a long-time Boeing engineer and co-owns Tamia Cakes with his wife.
You can learn more about Luis at electluisburbano.com
Alan Rubio
Alan Rubio is also a first-generation immigrant who moved to Everett in 2011. He also works in the aerospace industry, but as a contractor.
Rubio is a proud father of two and an active member of the Everett community, including an adopt-a-street volunteer.
You can learn more about Alan at ElectLuisBurbano.com
To learn more about the candidates and to see and hear them talk, we recommend watching the three candidates from the LWV Forum Debate:
July 16, 2025
0 Comments