Hi. My name is Kim-Khanh Van.
I'm a Renton City Council member,
immigration attorney,
working mom with two kiddos,
small-business owner, and your neighbor.
I'm running for King County Council District 9
because we need experienced, new leadership
and leadership that is connected
to our growing diverse communities,
from the suburbs to unincorporated areas
and to rural communities.
As a refugee from Vietnam,
my family came here seeking a better future.
Working multiple jobs
and the first in my family to graduate college,
I value hard work,
the importance of opportunity,
and the strength of community.
Our district deserves leadership
committed to these same principles --
a county council member dedicated to
an equitable recovery for our district
and committed to addressing unique challenges
facing our suburb, unincorporated,
and rural communities.
After 16 years of the same,
we need leadership in touch
with our communities' urgent needs.
I'm the only Democrat running for this position
with a proven track record
as an elected official and small-business owner.
I've expanded access to apprenticeship
and career pathways on Renton Technical College
Foundation Board,
advocated for seniors and veterans
through Sound Cities'
Senior Aging and Disability Council,
and supported VFW
and Wounded Warrior Project,
and built an inclusive region for all
on King County Coalition Against Hate and Bias
and King County regional approach
to gun violence and youth impacts.
I'm also a mom, PTA president,
and will be the first woman of color
elected to county council in nearly 40 years.
I'll build on my record of experienced leadership
on Renton City Council
to coordinate regional action on homelessness
and affordable housing, make overdue transit
and transportation improvements,
stand up for struggling local businesses,
and to protect our climate and way of life.
I will demand safety improvements,
sheriff's office reforms,
and equitable investment
to lift up our communities.
Together, we can recover
and move our region forward.
I've been endorsed by leaders and organizations
across the district
like Washington Conservation Voters,
Democrats, SEIU 1199,
Executive Constantine,
Treasurer Pellicciotti.
And I ask for your vote.