After much consideration and soul-searching, Kelly Wiggans-Crawford said she decided it was time to stop complaining about the issues she saw around her in Kent and step up to help fix them.
That why Wiggans-Crawford decided to run for the Kent City Council. Wiggans-Crawford announced her campaign in a May 12 press release.
Wiggans-Crawford said in an email that she has yet to decide which position to file for. She will make that decision during filing week May 15-19 with King County Elections.
Four council seats are up for reelection this year and each of the incumbents plan to run again. Bill Boyce and Zandria Michaud announced in media releases that they are running for reelection. Les Thomas and Marli Larimer have filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) about plans to run again.
Besides Wiggans-Crawford, newcomers Jamie Lee and John E. Boyd filed with the PDC. Lee and Boyd plan to run for the position held by Thomas.
Wiggans-Crawford said she is a lifelong resident of Kent who was raised on Scenic Hill and has watched the town grow from a quiet community to the sixth largest in the state.
“A lot has changed over the years, some for the better, and some not,” she said.
Homelessness, affordable housing and public safety are key problems Wiggans-Crawford said she would like to address.
“Each one can be attributed to each other in many cases,” she said.
Wiggans-Crawford said she does not feel she holds all the answers, but she is excited to connect with people who can offer solutions.
She said she is not a politician but a mom, a wife and a community member. Until recently, she was active in her homeowners association as the treasurer, has served on the Relay for Life board and participated in the booster club at her son’s high school.
Election dates
Candidates must file the week of May 15-19 with King County Elections to run for the council. The primary election is set for Aug. 1 followed by the general election Nov. 7.
Pay increase
City Council members are paid $36,000 per year for a part-time position, an 110% hike approved earlier this year by a city Independent Salary Commission
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