Why I am voting for Carmen Rivera for Renton City Council
🌟 Why Carmen Rivera Deserves Your Vote for Renton City Council (Position 2)
Renton is changing fast—growing in size, diversity, and promise. We need leadership that truly reflects our city’s values and aspirations. Councilmember Carmen Rivera is exactly that kind of leader—because she is Renton.
1. Rooted in Renton, Committed to Our Community
Born and raised in Renton and a proud Lindbergh High School alum, Carmen’s family has lived here since the 1970s. Her father served as one of Seattle’s first Puerto Rican police officers, and her mother worked locally and served on Renton’s planning commission. Learn more about Carmen’s background here.
2. A Champion for Equity & Marginalized Voices
As the first openly queer, first Boricua, and youngest Latina councilmember in Renton, Carmen brings vital representation to local government. Her career—starting at Echo Glen Children’s Center and continuing with King County’s YouthSource—has focused on empowering LGBTQ+ and marginalized youth. She founded and led LGBTQ+ youth programming in juvenile rehabilitation and facilitates racial equity training in both state and county systems. Read Carmen's Renton city profile.
3. Public Safety Through Social Services & Common‑Sense Policies
Carmen responded to Renton’s unhoused crisis with compassion, not eviction—advocating for wraparound services and workforce development over exclusion. As chair of the Public Safety Committee and vice-chair of Utilities, she’s tackling core issues like housing, behavioral health, and equitable policing—always guided by data and community input. Read her Q&A with the Renton Reporter.
4. Academic Insight + Civic Leadership
Carmen also serves as Assistant Dean and Assistant Teaching Professor at Seattle University’s Criminal Justice Department. She holds a BA in Criminal Justice from Seattle University and an MSc in Forensic Psychology from the University of Liverpool. Her role on the WA Sentencing Guidelines Commission ensures she brings research-backed insight to Renton’s most complex safety and justice issues. Visit her official city council page.
âś… Vote for Impact: What Carmen Stands For
| Key Issue | What Carmen Advocates |
|---|---|
| Affordable Housing | Expanding mixed-income development and homeownership pathways. More here. |
| Human & Behavioral Health | Investing in community-based treatment and low-barrier mental health services. |
| Workforce Development | Building pipelines for youth and local residents into stable careers. |
| Inclusivity & Equity | Constantly uplifting LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and youth voices in local policy. |
🔥 A Progressive Voice for Renton
Carmen has been endorsed by the National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington and was named a standout progressive in South King County by The Stranger. She brings lived experience, academic expertise, and a fierce commitment to equity to every decision she makes.
🗳️ Your Vote Matters
With rising housing costs, rapid development, and community needs growing fast, Renton needs a steady, compassionate voice on the council. Carmen Rivera is already doing the work—let’s keep her there.
👉 Vote Carmen Rivera for Renton City Council, Position 2.
đź”— Visit her official campaign website to learn more and get involved.
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