April 9, 2015 · Derek

Kris Blondin Announces Tacoma City Council Candidacy in District 3

Local Businesswoman to File for Tacoma City Council District #3 Seat

Tacoma, WA: Local restaurant owner Kris Blondin announced her candidacy for this year’s election for the Tacoma City Council seat representing the Third District, comprised of Central Tacoma neighborhoods and business districts. Kris Blondin is the only announced woman running for any Tacoma City Council seat. This campaign will be her first race for elective office.

Blondin plans use her experience as a small business owner and community activist to bring the diverse viewpoints of the district together to benefit the area’s residents and businesses.

“Our district has important issues that need to be addressed. Our district is diverse and it is imperative we bring people together to find solutions,” said Kris Blondin. “As a councilwoman, I hope to work collectively to allow everyone’s voice to be heard on significant concerns in this city.”

She went on to address several of those issues, including:

Streets and road repair: “Residents and businesses are tired of potholes in this city,” said Blondin. “We need to cooperatively work to find real solutions.”
Public safety: “We need to ensure the city has the right level of police officers, firefighters and other first responders to eliminate crime and protect our residents.”
Quality of life: “The Third District best captures the spirit of Tacoma,” said Blondin, “due to being centrally located in the heart of Tacoma. If our district does well, so does the rest of Tacoma.”

Blondin’s campaign kick-off will be held Monday, April 27 at 5:00 PM at The Red Hot, 2914 6th Avenue in Tacoma.

Councilwoman Lauren Walker, who is unable to seek re-election due to term limits, currently represents the council seat. The Third District is comprised of the areas around the Tacoma Mall, Cheney Stadium, Hilltop, and portions of the Central and South End neighborhoods.

Six other candidates for this seat have announced or filed with the Public Disclosure Commission. Official candidate filings for this seat will take place May 11 – 15, 2015. The primary election will be held on August 4, 2015 to narrow the field of candidates to two candidates. The general election on November 3, 2015 will determine who will represent the district for one 4-year term beginning in January 2016.

About Kris Blondin: Kris Blondin owns STINK Meat-Cheese and El Tufo Wine Bar. Prior to that she owned Vin Grotto Café and Wine Bar. Kris graduated in 2000 from the University of Washington Tacoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. She has also worked at The News Tribune as an advertising account executive and a columnist at The Weekly Volcano.

Filed under: Elections

9 comments

Published Author RR Anderson April 9, 2015

no anti $15 now issue bullet point ?
Come on! April 9, 2015

Kris is running to protect her own interests and further her agenda of being anti-worker. Did y'all just reprint her press release verbatim?
Joseph Cote` April 10, 2015

Just what Tacoma needs. Another anti-Union, anti-worker, wealthy "small business owner" out to protect her own interests at the expense of the working people. Ask where she stands on increasing the Minimum Wage, Paid sick leave, the B&O tax and Capital Gains taxes. Another right wing talking head that cares for her interests and nobody else's. PULLLEEEASE!
Christine April 11, 2015

I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and slow down. Yes, Kris Blondin is against the 15 NOW, but that does not mean she's against increasing the minimum wage. Someone could do a bit of research before it is decided what someone else thinks. Anti-union and anti-worker? Wealthy? Right-wing? Clearly you don't know her. Please speak to the candidates before you decide where they stand on the issues, you may learn something.
Genevieve (formerly come on) April 14, 2015

It is totally fair to draw the conclusion from Kris's MANY public statements that she is anti-worker. You don't get to be anti-sick leave and anti-raising the minimum wage and get to claim to be pro-worker at the same time. Kris's ideologies are not inline with the district she wishes to represent. She acts like she's a victim of her own choices and takes no responsibility for her situation. Let's let a quote from a recent Tacoma Weekly feature show us what kind of person she is, “People don’t understand that. This is the most challenging – physically and psychologically – industry you can be in.” Yes, ladies and gentleman, Kris Blondin wineshop owner has THE HARDEST JOB YOU CAN IMAGINE! Cops, doctors, teachers and firefighters move out of the way.
JDHasty April 14, 2015

•Streets and road repair: “Residents and businesses are tired of potholes in this city,” said Blondin. “We need to cooperatively work to find real solutions.” •Public safety: “We need to ensure the city has the right level of police officers, firefighters and other first responders to eliminate crime and protect our residents.” •Quality of life: “The Third District best captures the spirit of Tacoma,” said Blondin, “due to being centrally located in the heart of Tacoma. If our district does well, so does the rest of Tacoma.” Hmmm. platitudes so platidudinous they insult the ear just hearing them. How about saying something of substance?
Liza Morado July 18, 2015

Anyone who thinks Kris is not in it for the community doesn't know Kris. She isn't exactly the richest person in Tacoma but she does have her heart in the community. Be wary of criticisms from people who don't even know her. Just because someone owns a restaurant business does not make them fabulously rich. Do your homework and get to know her before you post. JD Hasty isn't even with us anymore. JR Anderson can't get a paying job. Why should their editorials ever get any air time? I would vote for her in a minute!
RHTCCComedyfan July 19, 2015

If she pulled wild stunts and had crazy antics in the Tacoma City Council meetings like Robert Hill I would consider voting for her.
Altered Chords July 20, 2015

Anti worker? Doesn't Kris employ workers? But who the heck is this Junior Anderson who can't get a job. Maybe he should apply at Kris's wine and cheese and salami store.