Speck defeats Matson to become Kent first selectman
KENT — The highest seat in town government will stay blue.
Democrat Jean Speck will become the successor of Kent’s longtime first selectman, Democrat Bruce K. Adams, after beating Republican Ed Matson in the municipal election.
Speck received 661 votes and Matson received 431, according to Tuesday night’s unofficial election results.
“I’m grateful that the voters have entrusted in me a very big responsibility. Focusing on stuff that’s important was the best thing to do,” Speck said after learning of her victory Tuesday night.
“My parents always taught me to be honorable and to do the right thing. They instilled in me this sense of honor and facing tough times with grace, and I believe they would be very proud of me right now,” she said.
Speck — who has worked as a regional EMS coordinator for the state Department of Public Health for the past nineandahalf years — said she’s excited to “roll up (her) sleeves and get to work” as Kent’s new first selectman.
The Kent resident of 22 years said she decided to run because she has the skills and “dogonthehunt attitude” to get things done.
“When I get something in my sights, I will fight for it,” Speck said during a civil dialogue between her and Matson last month. “I will pay attention and I will get down into the weeds — and if that’s what it takes to help this town that I love so much, then I’m willing to do that.”
Matson — a lifelong Kent resident, former town selectman and state Department of Transportation employee — was nominated to run for first selectman by the Republican Town Committee.
Matson and Speck — who both serve as Kent Volunteer Fire Department officers — have differing views on some issues, but share similar views on technology — which they both say is important and in need of improvement in town.
They also agree that attracting young people to Kent is important, but expressed different ideas on how to do so.
Speck said clusters of smallscale residential units known as “cottage housing” could be an answer — and the way to do this, she said, would be through statelevel tax incentives.
Not only would housing options like that be “a great way” to attract more young families, Speck said, but so would revitalizing the Kent Common Park and Emery Park.
Matson, on the other hand, said the lack of business and sustainable internet in town is one reason young people aren’t moving to, or staying in, Kent.
Democrat Christopher Garrity and Republican Jeffrey Parkin will keep their seats on the Board of Selectmen. Garrity received 655 votes and Parkin received 413.