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Carmen Rivera (Renton City Council Position 2, Washington, candidate 2025)
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Carmen Rivera is running for election to the Renton City Council Position 2 in Washington. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source] She was on the ballot in the primary on August 5, 2025.[source]
Rivera completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Carmen Rivera provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on July 6, 2025:
- Birth date: May 24, 1989
- Birth place: Renton, Washington
- High school: Lindbergh High School
- Bachelor's: Seattle University, 2011
- Graduate: University of Liverpool, 2012
- Gender: Female
- Profession: City Council Member
- Prior offices held:
- Renton City Council Pos. 2 (2021-Prsnt)
- Incumbent officeholder: Yes
- Campaign slogan: ReElect Rivera for Renton, Real Results, Renton Rooted
- Campaign website
- Campaign endorsements
- Campaign Facebook
- Campaign Instagram
Elections
General election
General election for Renton City Council Position 2
Mary Clymer and Carmen Rivera are running in the general election for Renton City Council Position 2 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
Mary Clymer (Nonpartisan)  | ||
 | Carmen Rivera (Nonpartisan) | |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Renton City Council Position 2
Mary Clymer, Raman Mann, and Carmen Rivera ran in the primary for Renton City Council Position 2 on August 5, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Mary Clymer (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Raman Mann (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Carmen Rivera (Nonpartisan) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Rivera received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Rivera's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge 751
- Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates of Washington
- Seattle Transit Riders Union
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Carmen Rivera completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Rivera's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I'm Carmen Rivera, a lifelong Renton resident, educator, and public servant deeply committed to social justice, community safety, and economic opportunity. I currently serve on the Renton City Council, where I’ve focused on equitable policies that uplift working families, expand access to affordable housing, and invest in public safety approaches that include mental health response and de-escalation. I am the only councilmember with the following experience.
Before serving on the Council, I worked in juvenile rehabilitation, social services, and workforce development, supporting out-of-school youth, young adults, and reentry populations. I'm also an Assistant Teaching Professor and Assistant Dean at Seattle University, where I teach criminal justice and criminology and help guide the next generation of public servants.
As the first openly queer person elected to the Renton City Council, I bring a lived commitment to equity and representation. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together over the past four years, and I’m running for reelection to continue building a Renton where everyone belongs and no one is left behind. I want everyone to have the opportunity to thrive, not just survive, as my family has.- 1. Collaborative Public Safety: I champion collaborative public safety that prioritizes de-escalation, accountability, and care. I’ve supported funding for co-responder programs that pair officers with behavioral health and case management professionals, and I've advocated for expanding behavioral health resources citywide. I voted to fund body cameras for all Renton Police Department officers and supported adding eight new positions within the department to improve response times and community engagement. Public safety must be built on trust, transparency, and a commitment to protecting all our residents. I am proud of our new Use of Force dashboard to foster transparency and accountability.
- 2. Housing Affordability & Renter Protections Renton is a city where over 52% of residents rent and I’ve worked to ensure our policies reflect that reality. I’ve consistently supported the development of affordable housing through local partnerships and stronger renter protections, including advocating for investments in Renton’s rental registration program, which ensures safe living conditions and support for both tenants and landlords. I believe everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home, and I’ll continue to champion equitable housing policies that meet the needs of our growing community.
- 3. Economic Opportunity & Workforce Development I believe our city thrives when we invest in our people. That’s why I champion economic opportunities that build long-term stability for Renton residents. I was the first councilmember to endorse and support Renton's Raise the Wage campaign, which passed by voters in February 2024. I’ve supported apprenticeship utilization on public projects, advocated for union labor standards, and pushed for a Renton Resource Center, a one-stop hub for workforce development, housing support, and behavioral health services. I will continue to fight for investments that create living-wage jobs, expand access to training, and strengthen our local economy through inclusive, community-centered policies.
I'm passionate about public policies that center equity, safety, and opportunity. I’ve advanced collaborative public safety by funding co-responder models, expanding behavioral health resources, and ensuring Renton PD officers have body-worn cameras and the staffing needed to better serve our community.
Housing affordability is another top priority. Over half of Renton rents, and I’ve advocated for stronger renter protections, more affordable housing, and investments in our rental registration program.
Local government is where policy becomes personal. As the fourth largest city in King County, Renton plays a critical role in shaping regional priorities. City Councilmembers have the power to directly impact people’s daily lives, whether through housing policy, public safety, infrastructure, or workforce development. We’re also a bridge between residents and state leaders, helping inform broader legislative decisions. In Renton, we led the way in 2023 and 2024 in King County to pass a local minimum wage increase, helping drive momentum for countywide action. This office is uniquely positioned to deliver tangible, equity-driven change, quickly and with community at the center.
I’d recommend the book The Revolution Will Not Be Funded by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence. It challenges traditional systems of power and asks how we can build true community-based solutions outside of institutional constraints. It deeply influenced my commitment to grassroots leadership, restorative justice, and equity-driven policy. For a more accessible entry point, Ava DuVernay’s film 13th is also powerful as it clearly lays out how systems of oppression have evolved in this country and why reform alone isn’t enough. Both pieces speak to the need for bold, values-based governance rooted in community care and systemic change.
For me, the most important characteristics in an elected official are integrity, accountability, and the courage to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s not easy. It’s also essential to listen with empathy, collaborate across differences, and lead with a solutions-focused mindset. I believe in principled leadership rooted in service, not ego. I take pride in being accessible, honest, and deeply engaged with my community. I may be direct and that comes from passion and commitment. My goal is always to build bridges and to ensure every resident feels heard, respected, and represented.
I bring authenticity, resilience, and a deep commitment to equity. My background in social services and education has taught me how to listen deeply, navigate complex systems, and advocate for those too often left out of the conversation. I’m collaborative but not afraid to speak up when it matters. I show up prepared, lead with integrity, and stay rooted in community. As someone raised in Renton, I understand the challenges our residents face, and I bring both lived and professional experience to the table to create real, lasting change.
The core responsibilities of a City Councilmember are to listen, legislate, and lead with accountability. That means passing responsible budgets, creating policies that improve quality of life, and ensuring public resources are used equitably and effectively. It also means showing up for council meetings, for community events, and for conversations with residents across all neighborhoods. An elected official should be transparent, collaborative, and committed to making decisions rooted in data, community input, and long-term impact. At the local level, leadership is about service, not status.
The first major historical event I remember is 9/11. I was 12 years old, and like so many others, I felt the shock, fear, and confusion of that moment. But what stayed with me just as much was what came after, the rise in Islamophobia, the expansion of government surveillance, and how dissent was painted as unpatriotic. That era shaped my political awareness early on. I see echoes of it in today’s climate: heightened polarization, civil liberties under threat, and marginalized communities being scapegoated. It reminds me why we must remain vigilant, protect our rights, and lead with both courage and compassion. Local leaders and government are so vital to protecting our most vulnerable.
My very first job was at a retirement community, where I started as a bus girl and eventually became a waitress. It actually grew out of a volunteer opportunity I took on as a teenager. I worked there for a few years, and it taught me a lot about patience, empathy, and the importance of showing up for people, lessons that have stayed with me throughout my life and career.
One lesser-known responsibility of a City Councilmember is our influence over land use, zoning, and long-term planning. These decisions shape what our city looks like, where housing gets built, how we protect green space, how accessible our neighborhoods are, all the way down to what type of trees we plant. Have you ever wondered why allergies get harsher every year? That is because cities and counties plant too many pollen bearing trees and not enough fruit bearing tress to offset the increased amounts of pollen.
We also approve contracts, set labor standards on public projects, and help determine how millions of public dollars are allocated. Beyond voting, we advocate, whether pushing for state and federal resources or collaborating regionally to tackle issues like homelessness and transit. People often overlook how much local leadership impacts their day-to-day lives, but this role is where meaningful, community-led change begins.
We also approve contracts, set labor standards on public projects, and help determine how millions of public dollars are allocated. Beyond voting, we advocate, whether pushing for state and federal resources or collaborating regionally to tackle issues like homelessness and transit. People often overlook how much local leadership impacts their day-to-day lives, but this role is where meaningful, community-led change begins.
Not necessarily. While experience in government can be helpful, what’s more important is a deep understanding of community needs and a commitment to public service. My background is in social services and education, not traditional politics, and that perspective has been essential in shaping policies that center people, not just process. We need more leaders who’ve worked directly with youth, families, and marginalized communities, who have lived experience, people who know what it’s like to navigate systems, not just oversee them. Diverse lived experience brings balance, empathy, and innovation to local government, and I believe our cities are stronger when our leaders reflect the people they serve.
The most important skills for this office are active listening, critical thinking, and a deep commitment to equity. Councilmembers should be able to engage with diverse perspectives, analyze complex policy issues, and communicate clearly with the public. Experience in areas like education, social services, public health, or small business can be just as valuable as a political background. This role also requires collaboration, patience, and the ability to navigate tough conversations with both empathy and resolve. Ultimately, the best leaders bring both lived experience and a service mindset to every decision they make.
The City Council is one of the most direct and responsive parts of local government. Councilmembers make decisions that shape nearly every aspect of daily life, such as housing, public safety, transportation, parks, and economic development. What makes this office unique is its proximity to the people. We’re accessible, accountable, and expected to be deeply engaged with the communities we serve. In a city like Renton, the fourth largest in King County, our votes influence regional momentum, like leading the charge on raising the minimum wage. This office is where policy meets people, and real, measurable change begins.
Bob Hasagawa — 11th LD State Senator
Steve Bergquist — 11th LD State Representative
David Hackney — 11th LD State Representative
Teresa Mosqueda — King County Councilmember
Girmay Zahilay — King County Councilmember
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587
Aerospace Machinists District 751
UA Local 32 Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC/R Techs
SEIU NW 1199
Alliance for Gun Responsibility
Transit Riders Union
King County Democrats
King County Young Democrats
5th LD Democrats
One America
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
LPAC
National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington
Women of Color in Politics
Financial transparency and government accountability are non-negotiable. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent and to trust that decisions are being made in the public’s best interest. I’ve supported clear, accessible budgeting processes, stronger reporting standards, and investments that prioritize community needs, not special interests. Accountability also means being accessible to constituents, owning your votes, and making decisions based on data, equity, and impact. Public service should be rooted in trust, and that trust is built through transparency, consistency, and honesty.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Other survey responses
Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Rivera completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
