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The Auburn City Council has appointed Councilmember Cheryl Rakes as deputy mayor for the year 2025.
Rakes was elected deputy mayor at Monday’s City Council meeting, where she won a majority of the vote. Rakes began serving on the Auburn City Council in 2023, filling a vacancy left by former Councilmember Chris Stearns when he joined the state legislator. She was elected to the council later that year.
“I’m ready to get started,” said Deputy Mayor Rakes. “For me, Auburn is my home; Auburn is my town. Going on my second year as councilmember -- and with all of my leadership training -- I’ll bring patience, understanding, and knowledge to this role, where I can train, advise, and work with all of my fellow councilmembers.”
Deputy Mayor Rakes has lived in Auburn since 1960, when her family moved from Bellingham because her father got a job at the fire department. He retired there in 1980 as a captain. Rakes attended Auburn schools and graduated in 1973. She then enrolled in Mr. Lee’s Beauty School and Knapp College of Business and took a few classes at Green River College. Cheryl has been serving the Auburn community as Executive Director of the Downtown Auburn Cooperative since 2019, a position she loves as she works directly with small businesses.
“Deputy Mayor Rakes has roots that stretch deep into Auburn’s past,” said Mayor Nancy Backus. “She comes into this role with a wealth of knowledge, ready to represent Auburn in every way she can.”
In her free time, Deputy Mayor Rakes enjoys spending time with her husband, Shawn, three children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She also enjoys all kinds of crafts, such as sewing and crocheting.
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