MUKILTEO — He’s the guy who wouldn’t give up.
Riaz Khan, 50, a Boeing engineer, ran for public office five times in five years.
He lost the first four, including three in the primary.
It didn’t deter him from taking another stab at the Mukilteo City Council in 2019.
“I had the previous signs. I used them,” Khan said.
This time, he made it to the Nov. 5 general election. He faced newcomer Christopher Maddux, who got more votes than Khan in the primary.
On election night, Khan held a 12-vote advantage. The second day, he was ahead by 24. In the end, he garnered 51.4% and won by 218 votes.
In the diverse bedroom community of 21,500, Khan is the first Muslim to get on the historically white City Council.ADVERTISEMENTVolume 0%
“I’m the only elected Muslim in Snohomish County,” said Khan, who has led a campaign to build an Islamic Center of Mukilteo for several years.
The first two times Khan ran, he used his full name, Mohammed Riaz Khan. He dropped Mohammed in 2017.
“A lot of people know me by Riaz Khan. I go by my middle name,” he said.
Mayor Jennifer Gregerson said she didn’t know of anyone else who had run unsuccessfully for council three times.
“He has been really committed to serving the community,” she said.
Khan and his wife, Ayesha, grew up and married in India. They have three children, ages 6, 16 and 20. The family moved to Mukilteo 12 years ago from San Antonio, Texas, for his job at Boeing. She is a substitute teacher.
He is a neighborhood watch captain. He recently graduated from the Mukilteo police academy for citizens. His campaign issues centered on public safety and government transparency.
“I’m trying to learn every step I go,” he said.
Try and try again
Khan’s first run for a spot on the Mukilteo council was in 2015. He lost big-time to Scott Whelpley.
He made bids for state representative in 2016, City Council in 2017 and state Senate in 2018.
No dice.
