Remember Sam Doyle, the first-time activist I wrote about in March?

Now, you can call her Mountlake Terrace City Councilmember-elect Doyle.

The first-time candidate ran and squeaked out a 20-vote win against a 17-year incumbent for a seat on the City Council. Doyle takes office on Jan. 8 after her election was certified last week after a recount. Mountlake Terrace is a city of 22,000 about 14 miles north of downtown Seattle.

Her experience can serve as something of a case study for people who might be interested in running for office for the first time.

Doyle, 47, an oncology advanced registered nurse practitioner at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and UW Medical Center, initially wrestled with the decision to run, fighting self doubt and “going around in circles” about it, she said.

“I

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