Yakima Mayor Steps Down; Kathy Coffey Elected New Mayor

Kathy Coffey is now Yakima's mayor. The new assistant mayor is Carmen Mendez.

The change came shortly after Tuesday's City Council meeting, during which council members Avina Gutierrez and Holly Cousens announced they were immediately stepping down from the mayor and assistant mayor positions, respectively.

The action followed months of speculation that council members were talking about a change in city leadership. After the two council members announced they were stepping down, Councilwoman Maureen Adkison called for the positions to be filled by Coffey and Mendez. The council voted in favor of both, allowing Coffey and  Mendez to garner new titles in city leadership.