Erickson bids farewell as Poulsbo’s longest-serving mayor

Published 1:30 am Thursday, December 18, 2025

Longtime Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson bid farewell at the Dec. 17 City Council meeting following 16 years of service.

Erickson is the longest tenured mayor in the city’s history, serving from 2010-2025. She was previously a Poulsbo City Councilmember, first being elected in 2008. Over the years, Erickson has served on various boards, including Kitsap Transit, Kitsap Public Health District and Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council. She graduated from the University of Washington in 1979 with a degree in Economics.

Councilmember Ed Stern has been elected as the next mayor of Poulsbo and will begin serving in that role starting in 2026. Stern has served on the council since 1998.

During the Dec. 17 meeting, Erickson was presented with a key to the city on behalf of the council.

“Any position of leadership is only as good as the team that is gathered around that person,” Erickson said at her last council meeting. “I have been very fortunate to have a bunch of really terrific people (who) work for the city of Poulsbo…When times were hard, it was because of the actions of staff that the problems were solved. It wasn’t me; it was the smart people, the kind people, the compassionate people who work for the city of Poulsbo that made the difference.”

Members of the council spoke kindly about Erickson’s tenure as mayor.

“I have admired the thick skin you model with a soft heart,” Councilmember Pam Crowe said. “I hope to see you out in the community enjoying this city and the things you helped put into place.”

Councilmember Gary McVey said: “I’ve learned a lot from you and you’ve definitely made this community a better place.”

Following the adjournment of the Dec. 17 council meeting, Erickson’s last words were “hallelujah!”