Steve Gault resigns from Washington City Council

WASHINGTON — City Council Member Steve Gault announced his resignation from the municipal body at a regular meeting Tuesday night, putting an abrupt end to his six years in the position and vacating a seat not due for re-election until 2025.

Gault said he was resigning for “personal reasons,” in a prepared statement, but in a follow-up interview elaborated that he was moving out of Washington.

“Everybody, it’s been a real pleasure working with you,” he said, seconds before making a motion to adjourn the meeting. “I’m sorry I have to leave, but it’s time.”

Gault was a divisive figure on the council, never hesitant to speak his mind with candid, opinionated remarks on everything from railroad mergers to parking violations to homelessness, and everything in between.

The approach was assertive and effective at some times, but confrontational and blunt at others. Gault tended to speak freely of his disagreements both with third parties and fellow city officials, a tendency he acknowledged in his remarks, which said some council members, “may cheer in private because I’m gone.”

Mayor Jaron Rosien said he was thankful for Gault’s service, and presented the resigning council member with a certificate of appreciation.

“You’ve kept me on my toes, you’ve helped me become a better mayor,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot working with you.”

Gault urged his successor to run independently, and with “no agenda,” in his off-script comments at the meeting.

“If you’re running for councilman, you’re running for yourself,” he said. “You don’t have a bunch of people running for you … if you have a bunch of people doing all this stuff, you have an agenda, and the agenda is, eventually, you want to take over the city council.”

To replace a council member in the middle of their term, state law allows the rest of the council to either appoint a successor until the term expires, or hold a special election to put the replacement up to a vote.

When former Ward 1 Council Member Danielle Pettit-Majewski resigned in January, Gault was a vocal advocate to replace her with a speedy appointment amid a busy budget season. While the city eventually opted to hold a special election in that case, the group’s opinion with a new member — and without Gault’s input — is unclear. The question was not discussed at Tuesday night’s meeting.

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