Conflicts of interest
Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission found then-Councilmember Tanya Woo had a financial conflict of interest on a gig-worker minimum-wage repeal vote; she recused after initially resisting
Confidence: Corroborated · 4 sourcesSeattle · Sep 22, 2026
Subject of this story
Tanya Woo, Seattle City Council, Position 8 (at-large, appointed Jan. 23, 2024 – Nov. 26, 2024)
Also named
Oversight
Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission
Wayne Barnett, Executive Director, Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission
What happened
In May 2024, Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission Executive Director Wayne Barnett advised then-Councilmember Tanya Woo to recuse herself from a vote rolling back the "PayUp" gig-worker minimum wage because her family had just taken over Kau Kau BBQ, a Chinatown-International District restaurant that used third-party delivery apps and stood to financially benefit from the change. Woo initially sought a second opinion from the full Commission rather than accept the recusal advice, but after the Commission declined to overturn Barnett's finding, she announced in June 2024 that she would recuse from the vote.
Sources (4)
The Seattle TimesEthics and Elections Commission Executive Director Wayne Barnett advised Woo to recuse herself from the vote after her family recently purchased a restaurant that uses delivery apps.
KNKX Public RadioBarnett advised Woo to recuse herself from the vote after her family recently purchased a restaurant in the Chinatown-International District that uses delivery apps.
The StrangerWoo's office stated they were exploring the matter with all due diligence after Barnett's recusal advice.
PubliColaWoo says she'll recuse herself from the gig worker wage vote after the Ethics and Elections Commission declined to overturn Barnett's advice.
Response
Tanya Woo
Statement given
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.