Ruth Perez chosen as Renton City Council president

With the 2025 election season coming to a close and the incumbents retaining their Renton City Council positions, the council selected the next city council president and president pro tempore.

At the Dec. 1 Renton City Council meeting, the council appointed Councilmember Ruth Pérez as council president and Councilmember Ryan McIrvin as council president pro tempore for 2026. Pérez will be taking the role from current council president James Alberson after serving as pro tem in 2025.

Pérez was nominated by Alberson and was elected by the council with six voting in favor while Councilmember Kim-Khánh Văn abstained. Văn was attending the meeting virtually.

Pérez is currently serving her fourth term on council and was re-elected this year for another term, running against Paul Dutton. She previously served as council president in 2020. She is also the first Latina and immigrant to serve on the Renton City Council.

McIrvin was nominated by Pérez, and Văn nominated Councilmember Carmen Rivera for the pro tem position, which presides over council meetings in the president’s absence. Văn said she nominated Rivera for more diversity. McIrvin was selected, with Văn and Rivera voting for Rivera.

McIrvin has served on the council since elected in 2016, and previously served as president in 2022.

Pérez and McIrvin begin their roles in January 2026.