Kent resident Carmen Goers is running this year for the state House of Representatives in the 47th Legislative District Position 2, which is held by State Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington.
Goers, a Republican, said she will work to create an environment where communities and businesses can grow and thrive.
“A quality education is the best way out of poverty,” Goers said in a press release to announce her campaign. “Investments in education at every level help our young people succeed and make our area a place where they will stay, create new businesses and start families.”
The 47th District includes parts of Kent, Auburn and Covington.
Goers has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years and values the impact that nonprofits and social service agencies bring to the community.
“I’m a strong believer that our state government needs to encourage economic opportunity, especially in economically depressed communities,” said Goers, a commercial lending officer for Heritage Bank in Kent.. “To help with that, we should invest in programs like Opportunity Zones and Urban Revitalization.”
Goers is co-chair of the Kent Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee and emceed the Kent mayoral debate last fall. She also is a member of the city of Kent’s Public Facilities District Board that helps oversee the accesso ShoWare Center.
As a wife, mother, grandmother and community volunteer, Goers has served in many areas to be an advocate for community members. She was recently awarded a 2021 Martin Luther King Medal for Distinguished Service by King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, the highest award that the county council can bestow on a citizen.
As a servant leader and resident of South King County for over two decades, Goers said she looks forward to bringing the skills that have been acquired to the next level of leadership and service to the 47th community.
Goers ran for the Kent School Board in 2013 but lost in the primary to Bruce Elliott and Maya Vengadasalam.
Sullivan, in his 18th year with the Legislature, is the House Majority leader. He defeated three Republicans in the 2020 primary and then beat Ted Cooke in the general election 59% to 41%.
Sullivan has raised $35,122 so far, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. His largest contributions include $2,000 from the Washington Beverage Association Political Action Committee (PAC) in Olympia and $1,500 from the Washington Charters PAC in Seattle.
Goers has raised $6,720 so far, with $1,000 contributions from Natalie Ellington of Kent and Doug Ostrom of Tacoma.
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