Candidate Statement From Paula Rhyne For Everett City Council District 2

Editor’s Note: On September 19th candidates in the November 2nd General Election for Mayor, Everett City Council Districts, Everett School Board and Port of Everett Commissioner were invited to send a statement up to 500 words to MyEverettNews.com introducing themselves to our readers. Not all of the candidates responded but we are publishing unedited statements from those that did reply by our deadline. MyEverettNews.com does not endorse candidates but thinks this is a good way for you to hear directly from the people running. All offices are non-partisan.

Paula Rhyne, candidate provided photo.

My name is Paula Rhyne and I am running for Everett City Council, District 2. I am running because it is important to me that Everett is a safe, vibrant, and affordable place for everyone in Everett to grow and thrive. I am the wife of a veteran, and the mother to two young kids who will be Everett High School Class of ’34 and ‘37. I grew up in Snohomish County and look forward to raising my children right here in Mill Town. My family and I live in the Port Gardner Neighborhood in a 120-year-old house with our dog who is 91, in dog years, of course.

Everett is at a critical crossroads where it is imperative that we have proactive voices on council to address the city’s most pressing issues of housing and homelessness and the economic recovery from COVID. The “old way” of doing things has led us to a time of record budget deficits and housing insecurity. Everett can grow and thrive, but only if we elect representatives who better understand our neighbors in our community and who are committed to being responsive and inclusive in their decisions.

I have over twenty years of educational, professional, political, and volunteer experience. I am a two-time graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. I previously worked for King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson as a legislative intern, and then carried forward as Director of Constituent Relations with Councilmember Rod Dembowski after Bob Ferguson was elected as Attorney General. My past experience also includes working for the Affordable Housing Program at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle and serving as Board President of the University District Food Bank where I oversaw a board of 12-16 people and an operating budget of $1 million.

Currently, I work as the Legislative Aide for Snohomish County Councilmember Megan Dunn where I have worked on policies benefiting working families, housing and homelessness measures, equity and social justice initiatives, bolstering human services resources, and supporting veterans — particularly those involved in the justice system. I am also currently active in the Port Gardner Neighborhood Association and enjoy the local focus of neighborhood involvement.

I am proud of the broad grassroots support for my campaign including an early sole endorsement from Mayor Cassie Franklin, sole endorsements from Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Representatives Emily Wicks and April Berg, more than 12 labor organizations, and the state’s leading environmental organizations: The Washington State Sierra Club and Washington Conservation Voters, and many more!

A vote for Paula means a vote for a better tomorrow for Everett. Please vote Paula Rhyne for Everett City Council, District 2, on November 2!