PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles mayor Kate Dexter will run for Clallam County Commissioner.
Dexter announced this weekend she is running for the second district seat. She joins incumbent Randy Johnson as the only candidates to announce they are running this fall.
Dexter has served two terms on the city council and has been deputy mayor and twice selected to serve as mayor.
In a prepared statement Dexter said:
“As Mayor, I have been a proponent of increasing childcare, developing meaningful solutions to the housing crisis, supporting first responders, including the Coast Guard, and working to support local agencies responding to the opioid crisis. These are issues that I will remain dedicated to as I move toward the County Commission as they affect everyone in Clallam County,” states Dexter.
She noted her collaborative work with the county on the joint public safety project and grant funding through the county to help with the community paramedicine program.
“I am excited to bring my professional skills to the County Commission to work on policies that strengthen our entire community, such as increasing housing, responding to the effects of climate change, supporting public safety, ensuring that infrastructure projects work for everyone, and increasing cross sector collaboration,” stated Dexter.
Outside of her council responsibilities Dexter works full time as the clinical, outreach and accreditation coordinator for the nursing program at Peninsula College. She also currently serves as a parent volunteer for her son’s Olympic Junior Babe Ruth baseball team. Prior to being elected to council, Dexter served on the Franklin Elementary PTO as treasurer and president.
“While I appreciate the efforts of every dedicated public servant, now is the opportune moment for me to move forward with my professional goals and to bring fresh energy, policy expertise, and a deep understanding of servant leadership to the role of County Commissioner,” Dexter wrote.
Born and raised in Washington State, Dexter received her graduate degree in public administration from the University of Washington.