Educator, organizer, and advocate, Dawn Bennett has announced that she is running to be the next Mayor of Kent, Washington. Since announcing her run for Mayor, Bennett has already gained the endorsements of a number of local community leaders, including State Representative Debra Entenman, State Representative Jamila Taylor, and State Senator Claire Wilson.
Bennett says that she is going to be running on a platform focused on equity and transformational change for the city of Kent.
“I’ve been doing the work in communities all around the state to make changes that we need, but as much change as I’ve helped make, I’ve decided that the best way I can have a lasting impact is by focusing my work right here in my city,” says Bennett. “My focus is on ensuring everyone gets the services they deserve from their government. We pay the taxes, so it is time we get our money’s worth and give them the best choice for Mayor they can have.”
Bennett has a long track record in community advocacy for education and social justice. She has worked in city governments and nonprofits, most recently as a co-founder of the Multicultural Education Rights Alliance (McERA), which focuses on advocating for a mix of multicultural families and youth in communities throughout Washington. She has integrated these values and policies into her platform.
“I’ve lived in Kent for 23 years and love this city enough to dedicate the next 4-8 years of my life working directly for the people who make it so special” Bennett said. “This doesn’t have much to do with the incumbent. There is a job opening for this position and I am applying because I think I am the best person for the job. I look forward to giving Kent voters the chance to decide for themselves who and what they want in a city leader. I have faith that when the voters get to see their options, they’ll choose me.”
