With only one contested city race on the ballot, it’s been a quiet election season in Renton.

Though the mayor and five city council seats are up for election this year, only the seat being vacated by Greg Taylor, Position 4, is being contested.

We have given the space below for each of the candidates for Position 4 to introduce themselves in their own words.

Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.

-Brian Beckley

MONIQUE TAYLOR-SWAN

My name is Monique Taylor-Swan and I’m running for Renton City Council Position 4.

I have lived in Renton for over 7 years. I lived here before as a child while I attended Renton High School. My family had to move away, but Renton always held a spot in my heart. When I started to raise my own family and the opportunity to return to Renton was possible I did.

I’m running because my kids go to school here, from elementary to high school. Renton can be a great place to raise your family and for them to grow up and raise their own families.

As a board member of my union I fought to raise the minimum wages in Seatac and Seattle. I feel that a worker in Renton deserves to make a living wage and have paid sick leave so they can care for sick child or a parent.

I spend my days caring for seniors, people with disabilities and with young people. In Renton we don’t have enough services for the seniors here. We certainly don’t have enough services to meet the need for our young people. By bringing better education, summer jobs programs, encouraging opportunities and engaging activities for the youth Renton will be more Future Focused.

Renton is an increasingly diverse city and diversity is one of our strengths, but we don’t have a City Council that fully represents our community. I want to make sure all of our residents are heard at City Hall. I strongly believe we are better together and that we have a wonderful community that binds us together and that together we can make the Future Focused for Renton an inviting and inclusive community for all.

I would like to help bring more access to jobs with economic growth and employment opportunities in the community. Small businesses and new businesses need help and support to be successful. I believe there are opportunities for the City Council to make that difference and help them be successful.

I would like to provide more community development in resources and safety services for seniors and people who have vulnerable disabilities. I would like to provide more opportunities and programs for our youth, our seniors, and our businesses Renton will become a better community to live in.

I am working for the Renton of tomorrow… I am Future Focused for Renton.

I am proud to have been endorsed by many local leaders and groups, including the King County Democrats (dual endorsement), SEIU 775 Healthcare NW, IBEW Local 46, NARAL Pro-Choice WA, the African-American Black Caucus, King County Labor Council AFL-CIO, SEIU 1199 NW, Teamsters Local 117, Renton City Councilman Greg Taylor, State Rep. Zack Hudgins, and State Senators Pramila Jayapal and Cyrus Habib.

My message is simple: Future Focused for Renton. It’s more than a campaign slogan. It means focusing on a future for our young people and our seniors. It is a Future where all residents of Renton have adequate and affordable housing; workable transportation; accessible healthcare; and more jobs and economic development.

Please stand with me and vote Future Focused for Renton. I ask for your vote.