The Washington State Farm Bureau recognized Don every year he served as a 100% supporter of Farm Bureau issues. Even though he was in the minority party for 75% of his service, he was still successful at getting consensus to pass into law over 50 significant pieces of legislation including landmark tough on crime legislation, The Chelsea Harrison Act. Benton received the high honor of "Legislator of the Year" on two different occasions by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs for his tough legislation on crime. While tough on criminals, Don always demonstrates compassion for the most vulnerable in our community. No local legislator has been more successful at bringing State funds home to important local projects at the YMCA, Innovative Services, The Salvation Army, The Children's Center, Mother Joseph's Academy and many other important community non-profit organizations. He was instrumental in directing State budget funding to improve homeless programs and he led the effort to exempt non-profit community organizations from state sales tax on their fundraising efforts.

Don and his wife of forty years, Mary, have lived in Cark County for 33 years. All of their children are graduates of local schools and still live here in Clark County. Over the years the family has been actively involved in many community organizations including; Boy Scouts of America where Don was an Assistant Scoutmaster for many years and still serves as a Merit Badge Counselor. He has been a Board Member and Chair of The American Red Cross chapter. He is a life member of the Scottish Rite and the Loyal Order of Moose in Camas and is a certified Range Safety Officer and a certified Trap Shooting Coach . Benton always supports the 4-H and FFA and has for more than 25 years at the Clark County Fair Junior Livestock Auction and even while away serving in the nation's capitol, he continued to support the kids and the JLA auction back here at home.

A father of four and a successful business founder and owner for over 40 years, Don has always had a passion for public service. As a young man, he was elected and served two terms on the College Board of Trustees, was President of the Jaycees and Chairman of the local American Red Cross.

33 years ago he sold his insurance business and moved to Clark County. He soon had the itch to serve the people again and was elected (part-time citizen legislator) State Representative in the 17th Legislative District. His first year in office he received the "Founding Fathers Patriot Award" for his resolution on the Tenth Amendment and his strong, outspoken support of the Constitution. Two years later he successfully ran for the State Senate and continued to serve Clark County citizens as a part time citizen legislator in the Senate for another 20 years while he continued his regular job.

Benton continued building his company, National Advertising Consultants, while serving as a citizen legislator. A national advertising and training company, NAC is now responsible for training more than 750 US and Canadian television stations. After Benton sold his company in 2013, County Commissioners asked him to come to work at the County specifically to fix a badly broken Environmental Services Dept. who was facing multiple environmental law suits. He agreed and soon resolved the law suits filed against the Department and the County, saving Clark County taxpayers millions of dollars. Under orders from a federal court to fix the issue, the county relied on Benton to solve the Clean Water Department bankruptcy by cutting expenses. He then scrapped the proposed $105 fee increase on property owners that was previously being considered. By 2015 the department was winning awards and accolades from management for effectiveness in service delivery.

In 2017, Benton put his experience and talent to work for the federal government. The President appointed him as Senior Advisor and Transition Team Leader at the Environmental Protection Agency and later appointed him Director of the United States Selective Service. Benton managed this federal agency and its operations in all 50 states for the full term. He received national recognition in 2019 and again in 2020 for his management of the agency by the federal Office of Personnel Management and an independent consulting firm due to his high marks in the results of a nationwide federal employee survey. After serving the Country for four years, he came home to his family and Clark County at the end of the term in January of 2021.

Asked why is he returning to politics to run for elective office at the local level, Don said: "I was disappointed to return home to Clark County to find property taxes out of control and a lack of leadership and direction in our County government. I have a passion for leading and solving problems for my neighbors using good old fashioned common sense to deliver important government services in the most efficient manner possible." After a successful career providing jobs as an businessman with extensive experience in local, state and federal government, Benton said: "I have a lot of valuable experience in government and business, a passion to always do better and I am not afraid to speak up when I see something wrong or corrupt!"