Councilmember Sun Burford
Sun Burford was elected to the City Council in 2023. A proud Newcastle resident, immigrant, mother, and longtime educator with nearly 30 years of experience, Sun cares deeply about serving her community. She holds a Leadership Certificate from Stanford and a master’s in education. She teaches in the Bellevue School District.
Sun has been deeply involved in Newcastle's civic life, serving on the boards of the Newcastle Arts Council, Newcastle Trails, and Friends of Newcastle Library. She founded Newcastle’s annual Lunar New Year Celebration, helping it grow into a signature community event that brings neighbors together across cultures. In 2023, she was honored with the Dennis Yarnell Inspiration Diamond Award by the Greater Newcastle Chamber of Commerce for outstanding contributions to the community.
On Council, Sun prioritizes public safety, meaningful community engagement, well-maintained parks and infrastructure, business support, and thoughtful, sustainable planning. She values effective collaboration, transparent governance, and policies that reflect the diversity and shared values of the Newcastle community. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and summited Mount Baker (10,781 feet) in 2025.
Committee Appointments:
- Economic & Community Development
- Eastside Transportation Partnership (ETP)*
- King County Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C)
- Lake Washington / Cedar / Sammamish Watershed Salmon Recovery Council (WRIA 8)
*alternate