Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus responded this week to a recent attempt to recall her from office, calling the effort politically motivated and noting that a court dismissed the petition.

In a written statement (full text below), Backus said the recall effort attempted to overturn the results of the most recent mayoral election.

“Four months ago, the voters of Auburn overwhelmingly chose steady leadership, experience, and results in a fair, democratic election,” Backus said. “This recall attempt sought to undermine that democratic decision with recycled allegations, distortions of past events, and claims that have already been publicly addressed and reconciled.”

Backus said allegations that she used her position for personal gain or interfered in criminal investigations are false.

“Let me be clear: I have never used my office for personal gain, never granted unwarranted privileges, and never interfered in any criminal investigation,” she said. “Allegations suggesting otherwise are false.”

The recall petition was filed by Ronnie Morgan III. Backus said the matter was reviewed in King County Superior Court, which dismissed the charges.

“This recall petition was reviewed through the legal process in King County Superior Court, as it should be,” Backus said. “Finding no factual or legal sufficiency, the Court dismissed the petition charges with prejudice.”

Backus also addressed questions surrounding mayoral benefits under the Auburn City Code. She said benefits for the mayor in place when she took office in January 2014 included full payout of accrued vacation and sick leave at the end of a term.

She said the Auburn City Council later discussed changing those benefits in 2023. According to Backus, she sought legal counsel during that discussion to ensure her rights were not denied and the issue was ultimately resolved when the council updated the city code governing compensation and benefits for future mayors.

Backus also responded to allegations connected to past criminal cases involving former Auburn police officer Jeff Nelson and the death of Jesse Sarey. She said decisions related to those cases were handled through the judicial system and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, not the mayor’s office.

“The City of Auburn respects and follows all decisions made by the jury in this case and has followed all state and court laws and procedures,” Backus said.

Backus also addressed a draft letter connected to Joshua Obadiah Headley, saying that although she regrets writing it, the document was never submitted to a judge and was only a draft that became public record.

“I am human, and I make mistakes, but when I know better, I do better,” Backus said. “I had no contact with him during his incarceration or since his release, nor has any department at the City of Auburn.”

Backus said she remains focused on city priorities such as public safety, economic stability and infrastructure.

“Auburn deserves serious leadership focused on public safety, economic stability, infrastructure, and community well-being, not ongoing campaign season theatrics,” she said.

Backus added that she plans to continue serving the city during her current term.

“The voters spoke clearly in November,” she said. “I intend to honor that trust by continuing the work for this community.”

Here’s Backus’ full statement:

“Four months ago, the voters of Auburn overwhelmingly chose steady leadership, experience, and results in a fair, democratic election. This recall attempt sought to undermine that democratic decision with recycled allegations, distortions of past events, and claims that have already been publicly addressed and reconciled.

“Let me be clear: I have never used my office for personal gain, never granted unwarranted privileges, and never interfered in any criminal investigation. Allegations suggesting otherwise are false. The structure and oversight of the Auburn Police Department, and the City’s independent processes, exist precisely to prevent the kind of interference alleged. I take these rules seriously, and I follow them judiciously.

“The claim that I used my official position as Mayor to secure special privileges for my benefit is false. When I took office in January 2014, there were certain benefits in place for the Mayor that included 100% payout for both accrued vacation and sick leave at the end of my time in office. At the end of their respective terms, Mayor Booth received full payout of his vacation and a portion of his sick leave accruals, and Mayor Lewis received full payout of both his vacation and sick leave accruals – per the Auburn City Code (ACC) then in effect. In 2023, the Council discussed changing those benefits. I did seek legal counsel to ensure that my rights and benefits were not being denied. In the middle of my term in June of 2023, ultimately, the Council and I resolved our collective concerns, and the Council updated the ACC regarding what future mayors and I will be eligible to receive in compensation that is not salary. Salaries of the Mayor and Councilmembers will continue to be set by Auburn’s Independent Salary Commission.

“The accusations tied to past criminal cases, including references to former officer Jeff Nelson and the unfortunate and tragic death of Jesse Sarey, mischaracterize both my role and the legal realities of those cases. Court proceedings and prosecutorial decisions are handled through the judicial system and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, not the Mayor’s Office. The City of Auburn respects and follows all decisions made by the jury in this case and has followed all state and court laws and procedures.

“With respect to Joshua Obadiah Headley, I have already publicly acknowledged that – knowing what I know now – I would not draft the letter again, and I regret doing so. I am human, and I make mistakes, but when I know better, I do better. I had no contact with him during his incarceration or since his release, nor has any department at the City of Auburn. We have not employed him nor worked with him since his release. The draft letter that is public record is just that – a draft. I did not use my mayoral position to request the judge to consider treatment for Mr. Headley. Even though his attorney asked for my statement, it was never submitted to the court. To continue weaponizing that situation for political purposes does nothing to support victims or strengthen our community. There was never any coordinated messaging after the fact, and there still isn’t – again, this was proven by follow-up records requests, which showed no conspiracy.

“This recall petition was reviewed through the legal process in King County Superior Court, as it should be. I am thankful that when the facts were evaluated, this effort was recognized for what it was: a political grievance masquerading as ethical concerns. Finding no factual or legal sufficiency, the Court dismissed the petition charges with prejudice.

“Auburn deserves serious leadership focused on public safety, economic stability, infrastructure, and community well-being – not ongoing campaign-season theatrics.

“Anyone who knows me knows how much I prefer to let the work speak for itself rather than leading by press conference – there’s just no way to square spending this much time responding to these ridiculous allegations as a good use of taxpayer money. I would prefer to focus on issues that affect all of Auburn, such as housing and food affordability, crime, education, access to enrichment, and more.

“I welcome all criticisms, no matter how harsh or blunt – but I will always push back when the narrative does not fit the facts. It’s OK to not like me or the decisions I’ve made – it’s not OK to distort the truth and present opinions as reality. My integrity is everything to me. The recall petition recently filed by Ronnie Morgan III was a politically motivated effort rooted in the disappointment of a failed campaign, not in facts, ethics violations, or misconduct. He even emailed me to tell me he was going to file, although in his words, “…the complaint doesn’t hold much weight…”

“I remain fully committed to serving this city with integrity, transparency, and accountability, as I have throughout my time in office, and I will continue to do so over the next four years.

“The voters spoke clearly in November. I intend to honor that trust by continuing the work for this community.”