Political newcomer Swansen enters Kent mayoral race

Political newcomer Swansen enters Kent mayoral race

Political newcomer Andrew Swansen will challenge two Kent City Council members in the race for mayor.

Swansen, who has lived in Kent for 17 years and raised three children here, decided it was time to run for his first elected office.

“As your mayor, I will work to make our city safe and a better place for all our residents,” Swansen said in a Tuesday media release. “I will engage you, business and community leaders, to discuss opportunities and ways to grow our city with solutions that work for all.

“We will make our city government more transparent and fiscally responsible, creating a vibrant, inclusive community for all our residents. Together we can make our city the best it can be.”

Swansen works as a chief information officer for Seattle Colleges, which includes Seattle Central, North Seattle and South Seattle colleges and Seattle Vocational Institute. He has worked two years for Seattle Colleges.

“We love the city, people, culture and all it has to offer,” Swansen said about Kent.

Swansen becomes the third candidate to announce a run for mayor to succeed Suzette Cooke, who decided not to seek a fourth four-year term. Council members Jim Berrios and Dana Ralph each announced last year they would run for mayor.

“As an executive for over 10 years I’ve worked with diverse small and large businesses to expand programs for growth while promoting employee equality and fairness,” said Swansen, who was born and raised in Seattle. “I’ve worked to implement programs to enhance our traffic notifications of road hazards, damages and stranded motorists, using mobile phones, improving our traffic flow and safety.”

Swansen has volunteered for Kent soccer leagues, flag football and a water skiing club. He also belongs to a block watch group in his Madrona Meadows neighborhood on the East Hill.

After years of watching other people in politics, Swansen chose to enter the mayor’s race. He worked from 2012 to 2015 as a chief technology officer for the city of Seattle.

”I want to make a difference in my community,” he said. “I’ve always had an interest in politics, and seeing government in action at the city of Seattle, I knew this was something I wanted to do.”

Kent’s mayor is a full-time position and pays $144,996 per year. Council members are part-time positions and pay $14,808 per year.

Candidates for mayor and council must file by May 15-19 with King County Elections. If more than two candidates file for a position, they will be on the Aug. 1 primary ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the Nov. 7 general election.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent Police Detective Ford retires after 29 years with department

Helped solve 44-year-old cold case murder in 2024

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation