

For Kent City Council
ABOUT SATWINDER

Satwinder Kaur is a lifelong resident of Kent, Washington, and a 2004 graduate of Kentridge High School. Raised in a modest Kent household, she credits her father for instilling Sikh values of selfless service. Kaur’s early adult years presented challenges but with family support she worked at a local warehouse while pursuing college courses at Highline Community College. She later served as a Council Executive Assistant for the City of Kent in 2012–2013, an experience through which she “diligently learned about the hard work that goes into running local government”.
Despite the demands of work and parenthood, Kaur attained higher education credentials. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (with a specialization in supply chain management and a minor in accounting) and went on to complete a Master of Business Administration in Technology Management in 2014. Professionally, Kaur works in the technology industry as an IT professional; as of 2020 she was employed at a private tech company in Auburn, WA. She and her husband are raising their four children – including a newborn – in Kent, the city they call home.
Satwinder’s entry into public office came in 2017 when she ran for Kent City Council Position No. 2. Emphasizing a desire to be “a voice of all Kent residents” and to increase government transparency and accountability, she announced her candidacy to replace outgoing Councilmember Jim Berrios. Voters elected Kaur in November 2017, making her the first Indian-American Sikhs on the council. She began her first four-year council term in January 2018. In 2021, Kaur was re-elected unopposed to a second term (2022–2025).
Satwinder continued her City Council service, and in February 2024 her fellow councilmembers unanimously elected her as Council President, making her the first woman to hold that leadership role in Kent’s history


Community Involvement
Outside of her official duties, Satwinder Kaur has amassed an extensive record of community service and board leadership. She has been active in a wide range of civic, cultural, and charitable organizations. Below is a summary of past and present boards, commissions, and volunteer activities Kaur has been involved with over the years:
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City of Kent Boards/Commissions: Chair of the Kent Cultural Communities Board (a city advisory board on diversity); Organizer for the Kent International Festival; Green Kent Park Steward with Kent Parks (leading volunteer environmental restoration projects); Member of the Kent Parks and Recreation Commission (Green Kent) – contributing to park clean-ups and tree plantings. She also served on Kent’s Cultural Communities Board and helped engage diverse communities in civic events.
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Non-Profit and Community Organizations: Board of Trustees member for the Greater Kent Historical Society; Board member of East Indian Connections (a local cultural organization); Member-at-large and social media coordinator for Sikh S.O.C.H. (a Sikh community group); Steering Committee member for Living Well Kent (a community coalition for health and food access). Kaur has been a dedicated volunteer with programs addressing hunger and homelessness – she is a regular volunteer at KentHOPE, a women’s shelter, and has volunteered with Northwest Harvest (regional food bank) and the Kent Rotary’s Backpack Buddies program, which provides food for students in need. She often involves her family in service as well; along with her son, she has participated in park clean-ups as a Green Kent volunteer.
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Educational and Youth Involvement: Active in local schools, Kaur has served in parent-teacher organizations. She was PTA Secretary at Sunrise Elementary School and involved in the PTA at Meridian Middle School during her older son’s attendance. More recently, as her children grew, she became a mentor with Communities in Schools of Kent (supporting students) and joined the Kentwood High School PTSA. A consistent theme in her volunteerism is engaging and empowering youth – she has stated she wants to “get more residents, especially youth, involved in the city” through civic programs.
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Regional and Appointed Roles: As a councilmember, Kaur has been appointed to represent Kent on several regional bodies. She serves on the King County Growth Management Planning Council and the King County Domestic Violence Regional Task Force, helping shape county-wide policies. She is the chair of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s Advisory Council, working on regional environmental and air quality issues. Kaur also sits on the MultiCare South King County Regional Board (supporting healthcare initiatives) and was a member of the Association of Washington Cities’ state and federal policy committee. Earlier, she was on the Puget Sound Access Board (which oversaw public access media/Carco Theatre) and even the City of Renton’s Mayor’s Inclusion Task Force – reflecting her commitment to diversity and inclusion beyond her own city.
City Council Accomplishments
Satwinder Kaur has served the City of Kent since 2017 and made history as the first Sikh woman elected to city council in Washington State. She is a passionate advocate for public safety, infrastructure, equity, and inclusive community development. Her leadership is rooted in listening, action, and ensuring city government reflects and serves all residents.
Satwinder brings a strong professional background in information technology, paired with deep community involvement and a focus on effective policy-making. She believes in making city services more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the people of Kent.
Key Accomplishments (2017–2024)
Public Safety
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Supported the Community Immersion Law Enforcement Program for police officers to deepen understanding and engagement with Kent’s diverse communities.
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Championed the expansion of Community Court, focusing on rehabilitation and root-cause solutions for non-violent offenses.
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Advocated for increased police staffing and community policing resources to enhance neighborhood safety and build trust.
Parks & Recreation
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Led efforts to upgrade major parks, including:
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Morrill Meadows Park, which now includes expanded play areas, dog park enhancements, and improved trails.
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West Fenwick Park, with significant investment in lighting, play structures, and community access.
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Supported improved security measures across parks to deter vandalism and ensure family-friendly, safe environments.
Public Works & Infrastructure
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Helped secure over $70 million in funding for citywide infrastructure upgrades.
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Supported safe sidewalks and school zone safety projects, improving walkability and protecting students across Kent neighborhoods.
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Championed the development of East Hill North Community Park with $2.5 million in state funding for surrounding street and park improvements.
Finance & Budget
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Served as City Council President during the 2024 budget cycle, leading a collaborative and transparent process.
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Ensured balanced investment in public safety, infrastructure, affordable housing, and fiscal sustainability.
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Helped Kent receive continued national recognition for Excellence in Financial Reporting and Distinguished Budget Presentation.
Information Technology
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Advocated for modernization of city systems, including a full city website redesign to improve usability and accessibility.
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Supported significant cybersecurity upgrades to protect residents' data and city infrastructure.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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Championed the creation of the Kent Cultural Communities Board (KCCB) to advise the city on inclusive policies and outreach.
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Advocated for expanded translation and interpretation services across city departments.
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Supported the translation of critical city documents and communications to ensure all residents, regardless of language, can access services and participate in civic life.
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Promotes equitable hiring practices and culturally responsive services across departments.
ENDORSEMENTS
Kent Mayor Dana Ralph
Kent City Council Member Bill Boyce, John Boyd, Marli Larimer, Zandria Michaud, Toni Troutner
47th District State Senator Claudia Kauffman
47th State Representative Chris Stearns
Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone
47th Legislative District Democrats
11th Legislative District Democrats
33rd Legislative District Democrats
and more...