Tacoma - Council District No. 2
Sarah Rumbaugh
Kelly Blucher
(253) 886-6668 info@sarahrumbaugh.com www.sarahrumbaugh.com
(253) 339-0137 info@KellyforTacoma.com www.kellyfortacoma.com
Elected Experience: Elected PCO since 2018
Elected Experience: First-time candidate.
Other Professional Experience: Small business owner in development consulting focused on non-profits and political campaigns; Former City Planner for the City of Kent
Other Professional Experience: Community Engagement and Outreach Manager for Goodwill, Olympics and Rainier Region. Co-Chair for Workforce Development with Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness. Cofounded Hire 253, which has assisted over 2500 individuals seeking employment, 25% experiencing homelessness. We placed 33% successfully in full-time employment.
Education: Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies, The Evergreen State College, Bachelor of Arts, Gonzaga University Community Service: Commissioner, City of Tacoma Human Rights Commission; Board President, Associated Ministries of Pierce County; Board Member, Temple Beth El, Member, Tacoma- Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium Statement: The past year has been incredibly hard on our City and we are facing unprecedented challenges as we work to recover from the impacts of Covid-19. Right now, Tacoma needs strong, values-driven leaders that know recovery cannot mean going back to the way things were. We have an opportunity to reset our economy to ensure more living wage jobs, more affordable housing, better access to health care and a stronger safety net for our most vulnerable. We can start by recruiting great companies that pay living wages, creating incentives to build more mixed income and affordable housing, supporting Tacoma’s human services providers, and continuing to protect our natural resources for future generations. On the Tacoma City Council, I will put my values of collaboration, determination and transparency to work finding solutions that prioritize frontline workers and their families, our neighbors experiencing homelessness, and other groups that have been severely affected, especially parents of young children and communities of color. Caring for the people of our City will be my top priority. I am proud to be endorsed by Congress Members Marilyn Strickland and Derek Kilmer, House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Rep. Jake Fey, Senator Jeannie Darneille, and many others.
Education: Certificate in nonprofit management from UW Tacoma. Pre-nursing degree from Tacoma Community College. Community Service: Children’s Alliance “2019 Advocate of the Year.” Project Child Success’ “Champion for Children Award.” Leadership for Pierce County Community Engagement Task Force. Partnered with Workforce Central to design a multi-million dollar economic security grant for Tacoma’s eastside. Statement: I found my voice in public policy navigating the challenges my family faced, including homelessness, poverty, and the struggle to find a living wage. Driven to provide stability for my children and community, I’ve climbed my way back to being able to both provide for my kids and advocate for others. Along the way, I identified many barriers created by well-intentioned policies crafted by people without lived experiences. On Tacoma City Council, I will be the real, authentic voice for working families that we deserve. I created a job training program helping hundreds of Tacomans find gainful full-time work, including many of our unhoused neighbors. I initiated and guided important childcare reforms through the state House and Senate. Now, as your Councilmember, I will lead our city in tackling the barriers that hold many of us down: economic instability, access to transportation, affordable preschool and childcare, clean air and water, a more climate-resilient waterfront, affordable housing choices for all Tacomans. I always say, “if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” It’s time diverse working families like mine are at the table. Endorsements: community leaders Amanda Westbrooke, Norinda Yancey, Sherri Jensen, and so many more.
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