Rod Dembowski is a community-focused, results-driven Councilmember, rooted in service and committed to improving the lives of King County residents. With a proven record as an independent, progressive policymaker, Rod has never missed a vote. He was named the Municipal League’s Elected Official of the Year. Rod is dedicated to effectively addressing the region’s most pressing issues: health and safety, affordability, conservation, and poverty.

Health & Safety. Rod led efforts to fund North King County’s Regional Crisis Response program, pairing mental health professionals with first responders. Rod championed the Behavioral Health Institute at Harborview, kept public health clinics open, and is standing up crisis care centers and mobile response teams, countywide. Rod increased Metro Transit security, created King County’s gun buyback program, and implemented effective law enforcement oversight systems.

Affordability. As Chair of the Budget Committee, Rod has worked to manage the cost of King County programs, ensuring their effectiveness and advancing reforms. He has trimmed tax and spending proposals, made transit more affordable, and ensured that seniors and disabled veterans get the property tax relief they’ve earned.

Conservation. Rod has secured over $100 million for parks, trails, open space and waterways in North King County. He quadrupled funding for King County’s Conservation Futures Program. He wrote legislation to decarbonize Metro Transit, and passed our climate action plan. 

Supporting Those In Need. Rod believes in the power of King County to transform lives and help our neighbors in need. He worked to open the Kenmore senior women’s shelter and the Oaks Shelter in Shoreline. He increased funding for food support and is working to ensure no one in King County goes hungry.

Supporters include: Planned Parenthood, Washington Conservation Action, Shoreline/Northshore Firefighters, MLK Labor, Machinists, Transit Operators, Realtors, King County Democrats, Governor Ferguson, Congresswomen Jayapal & DelBene, Mayors throughout the1st District.