About Tom Dent

Tom Dent represents the 13^th District and is running for reelection. Representative Dent was sworn into office in 2015 and his dedication to public service continues to be evident to the residents of Lincoln, Kittitas, Grant and Yakima counties.

Representative Dent states, “We are in unprecedented times with COVID-19.  There is real fear looming around a recession, reduced access to public education, homelessness, food security, and wildfires. My legislative priorities were formulated from actively listening to the community over the last several years and I am dedicated to fulfilling my legislative responsibilities.  Understanding the needs and concerns of my voting constituents helps me to be an effective legislator.”

His legislative priorities include:

1) providing enhancements to early education and human services to reduce learning gaps amongst our most sensitive populations
2) maintaining and developing our water resources, agriculture infrastructure and supporting our ag producers.
3) Improving the health of our forests and rangelands to prevent costly catastrophic wildfires.
4) Transportation infrastructure

“This is not the time to make plans we cannot implement. As your representative, I pledge to work across the aisle to avoid stagnation in legislative decision-making because frankly, party politics will only get in the way to our immediate need to adapt to change quickly and form public-private partnerships to increase trade, construct necessary water supply infrastructure, and ensure food is available and accessible to all” says Representative Dent.

He further states “I genuinely care about providing a safe and positive environment for young people, especially as they are experiencing isolation and uncertainty from COVID-19 mandates; we must find opportunities for their success”.

Representative Dent currently serves as the ranking member on the  Human Services and Early Learning Committee, is the assistant ranking member of the Rural Development, Ag and Natural Resources Committee, and serves on the Transportation Committee. He also serves on several special legislative committees and caucuses.