Kim-Khanh Van Vying To Replace Don Persson On Renton Council

RENTON, WA — The race to replace retiring Renton Councilman Don Persson is starting to warm up.

This week, candidate Valerie O'Halloran held her campaign launch party after announcing her candidacy in early March. Her challenger, Kim-Khanh Van, declared her candidacy back in February.

Van, 34, operates a law firm in Renton, and her entry into the 2019 Council race comes after encouragement from retiring Renton Mayor Denis Law, she says. She's been active in the local community as a member of the Renton Rotary, the Mayor’s Inclusion Task Force, and regional groups like the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.

Van was born in Vietnam, but at age 6 she moved to a refugee camp in the Philippines, and by 1991 had immigrated to Seattle. She graduated from Garfield High School in Seattle and the University of Washington, and earned her law degree at the University of Dayton.

If elected, Van says she would prioritize public safety, inclusion, and economic development, with an emphasis on "uplifting our small mom pop shops."

"My goal is to uplift every voice in our City through authentic representation because representation matters," she told Patch. "From my experience as an attorney, mother, refugee, and community leader, I am able to bring different voices to the table, and have witnessed the different struggles and achievements of different, diverse communities."

Van has raised about $27,400 for her campaign so far compared to O'Halloran's $7,000.

Renton Council positions 3 and 5 are also up for election this year. Incumbent Councilman Ryan McIrvin has registered to keep his Position 4 seat in 2019. With Denis Law stepping down at the end of the year, three people have so far stepped up to replace him.