A lifelong Kent resident, graduate of Kentwood High School, and Green River Community College, I then pursued a hospitality career as an esthetician and own a spa in town. After 20 years of licensure, the favorite part of my career is to be in the heart of our community, participating in every event we have. From a booth at Cornucopia Days, to face painting at Cajun Fest, our Inside Out and Farmer’s markets, Christmas and Winterfestivities, and more.

I dove into serving Kent during the pandemic when I opened my space in the historic district to become informed and involved with our small businesses as we problem solved ways to help one another rebuild. I joined and served on our Kent Downtown Partnership Board for three years alongside other city leaders with a mission to create a vibrant and thriving neighborhood, an inviting shopping district, and places for residents to become a part of their community. My business gives discounts to military members and their spouses, first responders, nurses, and teachers.

After raising my two boys (now teenagers) alone, I met my husband Thomas early last year, and my family is complete. We are a miniature “Brady Bunch”, with two boys each (I love having four sons), two male black labs, and a (you guessed it) male cat. Together, we all enjoy snow sports, the batting cages, and getting in the sunshine for adventures around the Pacific Northwest. We live near Van Doren’s Landing Park, and it is a go-to hangout for us.

Because of someone very close to me suffering from addiction, I came to be involved with a family and addiction Recovery Program and support system called Battlefield Addiction several years ago. While you can never “fix” an addict, you can use the pain for purpose. In my case, I felt called to help other families and children like mine. I spent three years volunteering over 1,000 hours teaching a very special twelve step program and sharing group for children up to 18 years old, Over the course of that, I worked with over 700 children and their families, created a co-op, and let these kids know they were not alone -I also saw that there is hope in recovery, and people can have success with the right tools and community.

Lately, I have connected Battlefield Addiction’s program founder with our City of Kent leadership and our amazing Kent Police Department. I hope to continue fostering and developing a new program for Kent where there is a partnership with law enforcement, prosecutors, recovery support, mental illness support, and most importantly follow up care. This is the most crucial part, as people in our current system need that continued care.

Why should you vote for me?

Addiction and crimes related to addiction (child endangerment and neglect, theft, assaults and domestic abuse, vandalism, DUI-accidents, car jackings, etc) are the TOP problem in Kent. I am the only candidate with experience in the recovery field, the skill of connecting the right people at the right time, the passion to make our city safer, and a plan to make it happen.

I admire a few of our other candidates I have met so far for their passion for Kent, too. The focus for each of us is all so different on the order of what needs to be the first priority. I believe as we see more economic development, launch more programs for our youth who are so isolated and disconnected from their communities and from one another, and assist our small business district in becoming one of the best “Main Streets” -these goals are attainable-once we tackle addiction proactively. It is time to bring strength and compassion to the biggest problem we have-and I am confident I can help as we grow.

As in my first campaign, as City Council is a non-partisan office I feel it inappropriate to take an endorsement from a political party. I will continue to meet with both sides of the aisle to remain solution-focused.

I feel if a City Council member’s loyalty is solidified in making party-based decisions, it gets us further away from solutions as neighbors. My only special interest is my hometown.

What this means is an all hands-on-deck campaign with support from individual citizens, just like you, that want to see the changes I do.. Spreading the name of this campaign will ensure our goal for a healthy and safe Kent is achievable.

Let’s help our growing city grow HEALTHIER.

Thank you for your support,

Jamie Lee for Kent