Former Kent City Councilwoman Elizabeth Albertson will run for mayor.
Albertson, who served on the council from 2006 to 2013 before deciding not to seek re-election, announced her candidacy in an email on Tuesday.
She joins current council members Jim Berrios and Dana Ralph and political newcomer Andrew Swansen in the race to replace Suzette Cooke, whose term expires the end of this year. Cooke decided not to seek a fourth four-year term.
“I was recently contacted by several worried voters who feel like the current candidates do not understand or support the issues they care about,” Albertson said. “However, it was the recent sale of the par 3 golf course property that cemented my decision to run. Kent’s property tax abatement program was designed to encourage urban style housing near the transit center to reduce traffic, encourage walkability and support business growth in Historic Downtown.
“I was disappointed when the council awarded this special tax break to construct a large multi-family apartment complex across from the golf course. So, we lose the tax dollars and get increased traffic congestion in return? And we got another giant apartment complex, by the side of the road. My opponents’ actions are short-sighted and demonstrate a clear lack of vision and or leadership.”
Auburn-based FNW Inc./Landmark Development Group (FNW) submitted plans to the city in September for a mixed-use project featuring about 500 apartments plus retail and office space to be built where the par 3 course sits.
Albertson, 55, said she recently took a three-week trip with her husband Mark Albertson to South America where she did some deep thinking.
“I used our three weeks without phones or internet to search my heart and decided, I am ready to run for mayor,” Albertson said. “I’m not jumping in because others have asked me to. I believe with my public policy and administration education and my regional political experience I can get things done for Kent. I believe that stepping away for awhile has given me a fresh perspective and the time to really focus on how I can best serve the community I love and care about. I am ready with fresh ideas and newly energized to be Kent’s next mayor.”
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 must file between May 15 and 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 two candidates with the most votes advancing to the Nov. 7 general election.
Albertson first served on a city board in 2002 when then-Mayor Jim White appointed her to the Land Use and Planning Board.
Since moving to Kent in 1983, she has lived in the Panther Lake area, the historic Mill Creek neighborhood, near Lake Meridian and at the Lakes community on the Green River. She and her husband recently decided to downsize their housing and moved to a home between historic downtown and Scenic Hill.
“Each time I relocate my perception of the issues facing our city grows,” she said. “It’s important to recognize that where you live within a city matters. It’s critical that Kent’s next mayor has the vision and leadership skills needed to work in partnership with our neighbors. And clearly direct future growth to maintain a high quality of life for the people who call Kent home.”
Albertson gave up her seat on the council in 2013 in an effort to get appointed to the state Legislature. The 33rd Legislative District Democrats picked Albertson to replace Dave Upthegrove, who gave up his state representative seat after voters elected him to the King County Council. But the council picked Mia Gregerson, of SeaTac, to replace Upthegrove rather than Albertson.
Albertson defeated Russ Hanscom, now a Kent School Board member, in her first council race in 2005. She defeated Geoff Koepp in 2009.
