Candidate Profile: Sarah Perry, King County Council, District 3

KING COUNTY, WA — General election ballots have made their way to mailboxes across King County, as the 2021 election season enters its final stretch heading into Nov. 2. Dozens of key races are in play this year, including contests for King County Executive, four positions on the Metropolitan King County Council and several local city council races.

As voters prepare to fill out their choices, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles leading up to Election Day.

Sarah Perry is running to represent District 3 on the Metropolitan King County Council, looking to unseat longtime incumbent Kathy Lambert.

Candidate

Sarah Perry

Age (as of Election Day)

57

Position Sought

King County Metropolitan Council District 3

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Bill Ramos, husband
Maya, daughter
Max, son

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband, Bill Ramos, is a State Representative.

Education

Seattle University and Ohio State University, studying transformational leadership and political science

Occupation

I am a small business owner and community leader in the non-profit and government sectors. As an enthusiastic coalition builder, I am known for my expertise in creating strong foundations of civic collaboration and engagement to build progress in both local and statewide communities.

I have developed an effective process of engagement to build and support thriving communities partnering with teachers, nurses, firefighters, veterans, Labor Unions, non-profit and grassroots organizations, as well as business, civic and human service organizations in the 5th LD, which I am currently developing in King County District 3 for both my campaign and for engagement once in office.

In my political advocacy work, I effectively analyze legislation, track sponsors, readings and amendments through the State Legislature to support passage of effective legislation for the communities they will impact.

Previously, I was the Chief Development Officer for Social Venture Partners International, the Sr. Director of University Initiatives at Seattle University, and Executive Director at Eastside Housing (now Springboard Alliance) in Redmond, among other previous roles. In my 30 year career in nonprofit and government sectors I have raised over $50M and developed innovative systems which became models of efficiency and effectiveness in the field. In addition, while raising toddlers, I co-founded the Si View Indoor Playground in North Bend in 1997 to help develop supportive communities for families with young children, which is still running today.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I have not held an elected position in municipal, county or state government, however, I was elected as the 5th LD Precinct Committee Officer Chair in June, 2016. As the PCO Chair, I built strong foundations of civic collaboration and engagement to bring progress in both local and statewide communities. In that position, I recruited over 150 volunteers to help organize and elect pro-labor and environmental champions to bring much needed progress to our community.

Campaign website

https://www.electsarahperry.or...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I want to serve in this office because I believe we need a strong, effective leader for district 3, who can listen well, and then get the job done. Our roads are falling apart. Our small businesses and family farms have been devastated by COVID. And there are threats to our open spaces and air quality, our rivers and watersheds, our rural neighborhoods and farmlands. We have had a leader with a go-along, get-along approach for 20 years, which is seriously impacting our infrastructure, and leaving people behind, and four more years of this will cause serious issues and financial impacts for our entire district. I am committed to bringing a collective conversation together throughout the district to address the systemic issues that we are facing, and to building a powerful Eastside voice that will give us the collective strength to garner the 5 votes needed on Council to get the job done in our district. The Eastside has seen immense change over the past few decades and it’s time for a leader that better reflects our needs. I’ve lived and raised a family in our district for almost 27 years. And after four and a half years of community and coalition building, resulting in electing Democrats in previously red districts, I am deeply inspired to help build powerful Eastside voices throughout our district.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

King County District 3 is the largest physical district in King County, and is slated to be the fastest growing district in the next ten years. My top priority is making sure our neighbors have access to safe, reliable, and clean transportation that does not impose on our natural spaces. I will bring together the North Bend, Snoqualmie, Carnation, Duvall, Woodinville, Redmond, Sammamish and Issaquah areas, each of which have different transportation needs, and I will use my voice to prioritize equitable funding and attention to these issues. I will expand access to transit, advocate for additional affordable housing and walkable communities through transit-oriented development, and protect and strengthen our environment at the same time.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am running against a 20-year, 5-term Republican incumbent, County Councilmember Kathy Lambert. I am a strong advocate for public education, the environment and transit access. Meanwhile, my opponent has been a vocal supporter of Betsy DeVos and has consistently voted against environmental protections, such as the fossil fuel moratorium and expanding access to open space. It’s time for a leader who recognizes the challenges we face and can take meaningful action towards progress for our working families.

When Mitzi Johanknecht leaves office, what should the county look for in appointing a new sheriff?

In the appointment of our next Sheriff we must select someone who will incorporate the new policy changes created by the State legislature and continue to develop them as a State model in policing transparency and accountability. We must have County Councilmembers who recognize the urgency of the moment and who are committed to setting directives to eliminate bias in law enforcement. I will be a strong advocate for renewed accountability and transparency for the Sheriff’s Office, including support of body cameras and increased community engagement.

What are some of your priorities for a post-pandemic recovery?

While the pandemic has shed light on longstanding inequities in our society and further driven the disparities that disproportionately affects workers who are not paid family wages, working families, and communities of color, it has also given us a glimpse into how our government can take a more active role in raising people up and supporting those most in need. Whether hazard pay for the essential workers who have gotten us through the pandemic, rental assistance and tenant support to prevent rising homelessness, or small business support and financing to protect jobs and livelihoods, the government has marshalled resources to those most in need. It hasn’t always been enough, but it’s a proof point that the government can make a difference and ensure better outcomes. I will stand behind workers and use my position on County council to lead us as we come out of the pandemic, we must continue to push for bold changes that address inequities head on and create needed change across systems of government – take on income inequality, empower workers, build affordable housing and move neighbors out of homelessness, and so much more. I am energized by this moment, ready to take ambitious action toward the challenges of today and tomorrow and committed more than ever to create a better, more just King County for all.

What would you do in office to strengthen preparedness and response efforts for extreme heat and wildfire smoke events?

King County District 3 is the largest physical district in King County, with federal, state, county and municipal forestlands and farmlands. I take leadership on climate change and leadership on protecting forests, wetlands, grasslands, farmland, our rivers and streams very seriously. We have ample opportunities in this district to harness these natural systems to combat and adapt to the climate crisis through a collective coalition.

We need to first make sure that our rural areas, forests and open spaces are healthy and as fire resistant as possible. Where forests meet the urban boundary we have to keep them especially clear to protect life and property. FireWise is a DNR program that works with private landowners to help them manage their forests through urban wildland interface and forest management, and is a great model for empowering and educating communities in wildfire-prone areas.

I have been endorsed by Washington Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, Eastside, Redmond, and Bellevue Firefighters & will collaborate with and partner with WCV, Hilary and others toward maintaining the most healthy and resilient forests possible. As the Councilmember representing the district with the most to protect in forest, farms and open spaces as well as watersheds, my job is to lead the Council in this area and I will be a strong advocate and voice for protecting and expanding these areas in an environmentally sound way that will impact all of King County.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

We have a rapidly growing district and many of our communities - Indigenous, Muslim, Hindu, African-American, Latinx and other communities of color - have not heard from the incumbent during her 20 years in office. We need someone representing us who is interested in bringing all communities to the table so that we can begin to move the district forward in a way that meets the needs of all constituencies. I am committed to forming a Community Coalition with representative voices from the communities in our district to ensure that County practices and policies that impact the residents in our district are developed and delivered in a way that will reach the members in each of our communities most effectively and equitably.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

King County has done a good job of promoting social distancing, the wearing of masks and following public health protocols to limit the impacts of the pandemic. In addition, King County has purchased hotels to allow rooms for isolation spaces for those recovering from COVID to reduce the spread in our communities. They’ve also been a leader in COVID vaccine distribution throughout the county with a priority of reaching those most vulnerable. In my role as King County Councilmember for District 3 I would encourage expanding our mental health support services for students in the five school districts in our district to address the increased level of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation during and after the pandemic. I am a proponent of viewing mental health and addiction as a public health crisis and will work toward providing the funding for support and recovery as a preventative measure rather than providing funding for these services only after these issues are seen as a crime and these community members become part of the criminal justice system. By then it’s too late. Washington State is one of the lowest ranked in the nation for the mental health support services we offer. I experience this issue first hand in my own family and will work to prioritize mental health and human services at every opportunity as a County Councilmember. This is a state, county and city issue, and I look forward to partnering across the sectors to find better solutions for all of our impacted families and community members.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Transit
While many have been working from home, we know that this brought just a temporary halt to one of our district’s glaring challenges - traffic. We need to bring better access to transit alternatives, especially with Light Rail coming to Redmond next year. I will be an advocate for shuttles, buses and links for Sammamish, Issaquah, Woodinville and the Snoqualmie Valley. We need to fight for our district’s fair share of funding to fix our crumbling roads and bridges as this is the fastest growing district in all of King County, starting with 250,000+ residents.

Environment
We live in a beautiful place in East King County, and we have a special responsibility to protect and preserve this beauty. This means protecting our open spaces and air quality, our rivers and watersheds, our rural neighborhoods and farmlands, as well as supporting local food resiliency and sustainability programs. I am a strong advocate of our Growth Management Act and of keeping growth within our urban boundaries and protecting our rural spaces to reduce our carbon footprint.

Small Business
In addition to highlighting our businesses, emphasizing shopping locally, and supporting them whenever possible, we can do more to help them in the long term with district wide solutions instead of simple one-off interactions that help some but not others. We can work to streamline regulations, help with business permitting and improve the support and climate for small businesses, as well as to develop district-wide marketing and visibility.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Formerly, I served as a political, strategic and fundraising consultant for Perry Consulting; as Chief Development Officer for Social Venture Partners International; as Sr. Director of University Initiatives at Seattle University; as Executive Director at Eastside Housing – building 50 transitional housing units & 8 emergency shelter units (now Springboard Alliance) in Redmond, among other previous roles. I have raised over $50M throughout a 30-year career while developing innovative systems and structures which became models of efficiency and effectiveness in the field. I also founded Si View Indoor Playground in North Bend in 1997, which is still operating today, supporting youth and families of all ages.
I am a member of the National Women's Political Caucus, the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah, and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. I am a volunteer at the Issaquah Meals program and Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank. I am an active Member of Spirit of Peace United Church of Christ (an open and affirming congregation) and a former Chair of the Pastoral Search Committee. Former NAMI board member.

In 2017 I was the recipient of a Magnuson Award for Western Washington Organizer of the Year from the Washington State Democrats, and of Campaign Heroine Award in 2018 from the National Women’s Political Caucus.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Do what you love, and success will follow.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

The times we are in right now may be good for some people, but not all people. I was raised by parents who fought for civil rights, and the tenets of my faith align directly with the democratic principles of social inclusion for all, economic opportunity for all, and protection of our air, water and land. These guide me toward the continued work of equity and justice. I was also taught that if the middle class is healthy, it’s because our labor unions are healthy and getting the support that they need in fair wages, pensions, healthcare, paid leave, and safe and healthy working conditions. The pandemic has shown us that we truly are all in this together, and I believe it’s time that our policy choices start to reflect this. I am running for office to bring forward each of our voices for a better future for us all.