[1] Benson advocated for expansion of public transit service in the city, with his major achievement being the creation of the Waterfront Streetcar, which was later named in his honor.

[3][5] Before running for city council, Benson was active in various pharmacy conventions, including the National Association of Retail Druggists, where he was named Vice President.

[1] The following year, Benson ran to fill the seat of Liem Tuai, who resigned to run for mayor.

[1] His primary opponent was Michael Ross, an African American activist and one-term state representative.

[2] He showed support for the LGBTQ community by hiring Cal Anderson, a gay political activist, as an office aid.

[2] Benson advocated for abortion rights and gun control, due to his experience as a pharmacist and as a business owner.

[5][9] Benson was also pivotal in solving the growing trash and waste management issue plaguing Seattle in the 1980s.