Rod Dembowski statement on appointment to King County Council

Friends and family joined Rod Dembowski Monday as the King County Council announced his appointment to the vacant Council position representing Council District 1.

New Metropolitan King County Councilman Dembowski issued this statement after his appointment to represent the north King County district:

“Growing up in a single-parent home in Renton, selling socks at swap meets to pay the bills and getting my healthcare from neighborhood clinics, a day like today seemed all but impossible. But because of our shared investment in health care for the needy, public K-12 education, and a top-notch public University, I was able to attain my dreams of public service. I pledge that I will do everything in my power to pass those opportunities on to the next generation and will work tirelessly to ensure King County remains the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family. 

“I am thankful to the King County Council for their faith in my ability to join them as a colleague in public service. I am so grateful to the many endorsers and organizations that supported me in the appointment process; especially the many state representatives, mayors, and city council members. I look forward to working with them as we develop regional plans to benefit all of King County. I am especially grateful to Bernie Talmas, mayor of Woodinville and chair of the Eastside Transportation Partnership, and Denis Law, mayor of Renton and president of the Sound Cities Association, for their unwavering commitment to my appointment.”

          

Dembowski also thanked the other two finalists, State Rep. Cindy Ryu and Shoreline City Council member Will Hall for their public service.

“I look forward to working with Rep. Ryu in the legislature on behalf of the citizens of King County, and I hope to work with Council member Hall as we develop regional plans that benefit our suburban cities,” he said. 

“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to work on behalf of the residents of District 1 and all of King County,” Dembowski said, adding that he would get right to work by attending the Kenmore and Shoreline city council meetings Monday evening.

Dembowski will need to defend his seat on the County Council in the general election this November. He already has raised more than $70,000 for the race from hundreds of contributors and has announced his plans to hold his seat in November. Over 100 people attended his campaign kickoff Sunday at the Meadowbrook Community Center.

After the appointment, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, former holder of the Council position, immediately announced his endorsement of Dembowski.