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STATEWIDE POSITIONS
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Hilary Franz Commissioner of Public Lands
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Elected in 2016, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz protects and manages nearly six million acres of public lands in Washington State – from coastal waters and aquatic reserves, to working forests and farms, to commercial developments and recreation areas. Commissioner Franz is committed to ensuring our public lands are healthy and productive, and she is committed to creating stronger economic opportunities in communities throughout the state. Prior to becoming Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary led a non-profit organization, served as the youngest city council member of Bainbridge Island, and was a Environmental, Land Use and Real Estate attorney for 20 years. Hilary has worked tirelessly to improve the economic, social and environmental outcomes of communities throughout the state. She has also worked to increase more women in leadership in law, politics and executive roles. She graduated from Smith College and holds a JD from Northeastern University. |
Pat (Patrice) McCarthy Washington State Auditor
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Pat McCarthy is the 11th Washington State Auditor, and became the first woman elected to the position when she took the oath of the office in 2017. She previously served as a School Board Director and Executive for the 2nd largest county in the State of Washington, being the first woman to hold that position. She received a BA from the University of Washington Tacoma Campus. She has served on many boards over her long career. As a founding member of Rape Relief in the 70's, she was bestowed the honor as an Emeritis member of the Pierce County Sexual Assault Center. Pat has been married for 44 years to her husband John McCarthy and has 4 adult children and 11 grandchildren. Her husband John is a retired judge who currently holds an elected position on the Tacoma Port Commission. Her son Conor was reelected to the Tacoma City Council. Two of her three daughters are prosecutors and her other daughter is a UWT advisor. Raising strong women and an enlightened son are accomplishments. |
Gael Tarleton Secretary of State
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State Rep. Gael Tarleton (D-Ballard) is running for Secretary of State. House Finance Chair and previously Port of Seattle Commission President, Tarleton holds an M.A. in Government and National Security Studies and a B.S. in Foreign Service, cum laude, from Georgetown University, Washington, DC. In the 1980s, she was a senior defense intelligence analyst at the Pentagon. In the 1990s, she led international teams of scientists and engineers at a Fortune 300 technology corporation to implement U.S. technology programs in Russia and Ukraine. in the 2000s, Tarleton returned to public service to help faculty and students pursue research gifts and grants at the University of Washington while holding elected office. She has blazed trails for women throughout her career. She was only the third woman elected Port of Seattle Commissioner and has held leadership positions in the State House since 2016. Tarleton will fight to protect every woman's right to vote and ensure every vote counts. |
LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS
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Davina Duerr
1st LD State Representative Position 1
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Davina Duerr graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and works at a local architecture firm. Her community involvement includes serving on Bothell’s Landmark Preservation Board and Vice President of the Northshore Schools Foundation Board. In 2016 she was elected to the Bothell City Council. Davina served on the Domestic Violence Initiative Task Force. Her House committees include Transportation, Local Gov. and Consumer Protection and Business. Davina believes that the best way to advocate for women is to show them what’s possible, lift them up and to support them in their goals. She enthusiastically supports Bothell’s new Diversity and Inclusion staff committee promoting the hiring of women and minorities. She actively seeks out women for city boards and commissions as well as city council. Her record in the last legislative session shows strong support of women and minorities with votes for the Office of Equity, the sexual health education bill. |
Ann Marie Danimus
4th LD State Senator
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Ann Marie Danimus is a graduate of WSU with a BA in Communications. A long time volunteer for campaigns and issue-based referendums, this is her first campaign for office as Senator 4th LD. Ann Marie owns a small marketing and business development firm and is the founder, Executive Director and resident filmmaker for a non-profit, Stubborn Girl Fund 4 Arts & Education, 501(c)3, which produces art that educates the public on social issues. She has completed a film on DV and a film about sexual assault recovery is in the works. Ann Marie's lifetime volunteer work started at 12 years old. In her 20s she was awarded the "Washington Cares for Children Community Service Award" for her work including her platform for tolerance, "Reducing Stereotypes by Celebrating Diversity". Ann Marie will bring women's issues to the forefront of EVERY policy idea to be inclusive from inception. Not only a "watchdog" for equality in policy creation, she will work to correct current problems in the system. |
Lori Feagan
4th LD State Representative Position 1
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Lori Feagan, pronouns she/her. Lori has has lived in the Spokane Valley area for nearly 40 years. She began her nursing career in 1985. She is a graduate of Spokane Community College and Washington State University, and is a Nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner. After 18 years in critical care nursing, since 2009 she has provided primary care to geriatric patients, specializing in Internal Medicine. She was a key organizer for the 2017 Spokane Women+s March, which led to her involvement in Emerge Washington, and to collaborate and volunteer with local non-profits that focus on social justice, reproductive rights, and serving homeless and high-risk women and youth in the Spokane community. She is an elected PCO and has been involved in her county and local Democratic organizations. She is committed to continuing her advocacy for marginalized and disenfranchised communities, and to represent her entire district unconditionally. |
Ingrid Anderson
5th LD State Senator
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Ingrid Anderson who grew up in the Snoqualmie Valley, is a working mom and community advocate. Ingrid pursued her nursing degree at Bellevue College where she obtained her associates degree. She then went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in nursing at University of Washington and is currently near completion of her master’s degree where she will become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Ingrid has specialized as an emergency room nurse, a mental health nurse and a sexual assault nurse examiner. As the Vice Chair of the Washington State Nurses Association PAC Board of trustees Ingrid has helped to educate the public and lawmakers on issues facing our healthcare system and create meaningful change. Ingrid plans on bringing these experiences as a mother, a nurse and community advocate to bring positive change and a fresh perspective to Olympia. In Olympia she will be a fierce advocate for women’s issues, affordable childcare, healthcare, workers’ rights and our environment. |
Lisa Callan
5th LD State Representative Position 2
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Lisa Callan currently serves as a Washington State Representative from the 5th Legislative District which includes Issaquah, North Bend and Maple Valley. She serves on the Human Services & Early Learning Committee (Vice-Chair), the Capital Budget Committee, the Education Committee. Before her election as State Representative, Lisa served two terms on the Issaquah School District Board of Directors, including as board president. She has been an active classroom volunteer and has held numerous civic and PTSA leadership roles. She is active with the Volunteers for Issaquah Schools, a member of Kiwanis and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, and has served as a loaned executive to the United Way of King County. Lisa worked as a software program manager consultant and for Boeing as a lead engineer, and project manager. She has a BS in mathematics with a computer science emphasis from Northern Arizona University. Lisa lives with her husband, Bryan, and her son in the Issaquah Highlands. |
Helen Price Johnson
10th LD State Senator
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Helen Price Johnson grew up on Whidbey Island, earned her Administration and Legal Processes degree from Mills College in Oakland CA. She and husband Dave raised their four children there. She is a 3rd generation small business owner on Whidbey. Helen has spent her adult life in service to her community. She was twice-elected and served as chair of the South Whidbey School District. In 2008. Helen made history by becoming the first woman elected to the Board of Island County Commissioners. She has prioritized the protection of our island's natural resources and quality of life. She has supported a vibrant economy and affordable housing for families. Helen is past president of the WA State Association of Counties and currently on the Boards of Island Transit, Island Transit Policy Board and the Whidbey Community Foundation. Helen is a proven leader, works in a bi-partisan manner, and will support local communities and local government as a member of the Washington State Senate. |
Angie Homola
10th LD State Representative Position 1
Dual Endorsement
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Angie and her family moved to Whidbey Island in the 10th LD in 1997. As an architect and former carpenter, laborer, machinist, and Island County Commissioner Angie understands and has adopted policies to help women succeed by ensuring workplace equality and wages, women owned company contracts, reproductive and gender rights, and paid family leave. She’s volunteered in classrooms, and helped advance higher education for young women. Angie has a proven track record of getting things done for the common good by fighting for what is right vs. settling for what is easy. That’s how she brought transparency to Island County government, and maintained public and mental healthcare services for vulnerable citizens. Angie will continue to support women and marginalized populations and will stand up to unethical efforts to undermine elections and democracy. She will bring energy, compassion, and effectiveness to this office, and would be honored to serve you in Olympia. See: AngieForAll.com |
Suzanne Woodard
10th LD State Representative Position 1
Dual Endorsement
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Suzanne Woodard is a 38-year neonatal nurse, educator, and mom. As a nurse for three decades, Suzanne has worked in local hospitals delivering thousands of babies, and caring for new moms, military families, and seniors through the north Puget Sound region. One of a few people trained in neonatal resuscitation in Washington State, she now trains doctors, nurses, and other health care workers in critical neonatal care and other specialized services for newborns, skills desperately needed in rural hospitals and other communities far from major care facilities. The daughter of local school and city bus drivers, Suzanne’s parents were union members who worked hard and were able to get ahead, and give their own six kids a better future. Suzanne’s five brothers have gone on to serve in the military. Woodard lives in rural South Whidbey with her husband, an employee of the South Whidbey School District. Together, they have 6 adult children and 3 grandchildren. |
Adrianne Moore 12th LD State Representative Position 1
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Adrianne Moore grew up in a working-class family on a farm and in small towns across the state. She's committed her entire career to ensuring all families have a chance to build a better life. Moore was a young mom at twenty and worked her way through college as a night manager at a shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence. Moore brought learnings from the shelter and her own life with her when she returned to rural Eastern Washington and took a position as the sole staff member at a local nonprofit. For over a decade, she helped it become what it is today: a community leader and critical resource for those seeking social and health services. Following devastating wildfires, she helped lead the recovery effort for over two years. Rural areas like hers are struggling, she seeks to build a future for working families across her district. Moore has a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Washington; she and her family live in rural Winthrop, WA. |
Danielle Garbe Reser 16th LD State Senator
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Danielle Garbe Reser is a proud American, community builder, farmer's wife, and candidate for State Senate in the 16th LD. Her first day serving our country as a diplomat was September 10, 2001. She spent nearly 14 years in the Foreign Service with assignments in Indonesia and Lebanon and tours in the U.S. Senate, National Security Council, and U.S. Department of Energy. Originally from Moses Lake, Washington, Danielle returned to Walla Walla in 2015 as Chief Executive Officer of Sherwood Trust, where she won awards for her rural philanthropy advocacy. Danielle is a graduate of Whitman College and has a masters in public administration from Columbia University. She is part of Emerge Washington, which trains Democratic women candidates. From the Situation Room to the board room, Danielle has the leadership qualities and experience to represent her region. She will bring common sense, community-driven solutions that help women, workers, families, veterans, and our vulnerable neighbors. |
Frances Chvatal 16th LD State Representative Position 1
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In a 37 year career as a Registered Nurse, Frances has listened to thousands of people, she will listen to you. Frances was born in Walla Walla, raised on a farm in Touchet, and attended WSU, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree - Nursing in 1983. The next 10 years were spent working in direct patient care. In 1993, returning to Walla Walla, she continued her career in health care at Providence St Mary Medical Center as a clinical nurse leader for 22 years and quality analyst for 4 years (a position she maintains). She has served on the St. Mary Community Ministry Board since 2015, three years on the City of Walla Walla Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council and volunteered her time at the warming center during winters. Walla Walla is where Frances was born, raised her daughters, buried her parents and lived happily. She believes that she can faithfully represent the people of this district and invest in the basic services of government and provide them judicially. |
Carly Coburn 16th LD State Representative
Position 2
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Carly Coburn is a life long Washingtonian and grew up in Camas and Vancouver in Clark County. Carly dropped out of high school right after turning 16, because she was needed at home to help care for her grandma. She later received her GED in November of 2006. After turning 18 Carly became an officially trained caregiver for her grandma. Carly lived in College Place for a year and eventually found a true home in Pasco. In 2017 Carly discovered the active political and activist communities growing in the Tri-Cities. Carly first began advocating for the rights of women within her own household, and fought to fine a voice within an anti-choice family. Later, in the work that she has done in the Tri-Cities and 16th LD she has always worked for equitable representation and fight for the rights of women. Carly is currently volunteering for a mutual-aid network set up within the Tri-Cities to help undocumented and mix documented families. |
Tanisha Harris 17th LD State Representative
Position 1
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Tanisha Harris was born & raised in Vancouver, Washington. Tanisha earned her Associate’s Degree and a Bachelor’s of Social Science with concentrations in Human Development, Psychology and Sociology from Clark College and Washington State University-Vancouver. Tanisha spent 10 years working for the Evergreen School District in the field of multicultural and diversity education. Tanisha now works as a CASA Program Specialist for the YWCA Clark County, where she advocates for children in the Dependency/Foster Care system and supervises CASA volunteers. Tanisha is the 17th LD Democrats State Committeewoman & Washington State Democrats Executive Board Member. Tanisha serves as a member of LICWAC (Local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committee), Co-Chair of Evergreen Citizens for Schools, Member of the City of Vancouver Task Force for Council Representation, Member of the Clark College Presidential Search Advisory Committee and is a member of Clark County NAACP. |
Donna Sinclair 18th LD State Representative
Position 2
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Donna Sinclair is a public historian and educator. She earned both an M.A. in History from Portland State University (PSU) and a Ph.D. in Urban Studies. Sinclair’s public history work includes digital technology projects and public programs at the Center for Columbia River History, writing social histories for the National Park Service and managing major oral history projects throughout the Northwest. She teaches Public History, Western Women’s History, US History, Pacific Northwest History, and Gender and Public Policy, among other courses, at WSU Vancouver, Portland State University, and Western Oregon University. Her dissertation project focused on the constraints, advancement, and historical agency of women and minorities in the U.S. Forest Service in the late twentieth century. She recently published a collaboratively written memoir of the first African American woman forest supervisor in the nation: Gloria Brown and the Unmarked Trail to Forest Service Leadership (Oregon State University) |
Marianna Everson 19h LD State Representative
Position 1
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Marianna Everson is running for state representative to ensure that this is a place where everybody thrives. As a nurse, mother, union member, and progressive Democrat, she understands the unique challenges of Timber Country. She will stand with the people of Washington to fight for good-paying jobs, universal healthcare, affordable housing, fully-funded public education, clean environment, tribal sovereignty, and fair taxation – without the help of corporate PAC funding or corporate special interest donations. |
Lillian Ortiz-Self 21st LD State Representative
Position 2
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Lillian has a Masters in Public Administration and a Masters in Counseling from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She has worked across child serving systems. Her job experiences include: twenty five years working across child serving systems such as: mental health, child welfare and education where she has advocated for children and families. She has extensive clinical practice serving children and youth with a range of emotional disorders and their families. Lillian also works as a School Counselor and has served as a State Representative for the 21st LD for six years. She is the Deputy Chair of the Majority Caucus and serves on the Education, Early Learning and Human Services and Transportation committees. |
Mary Ellen Biggerstaff 22nd LD State Representative
Position 2 Triple Endorsement
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Despite growing up in Thurston County with economic instability, I received an excellent public education. Thanks to generous scholarships, I attended Mt. Holyoke College. Then my husband and I moved back to Thurston County to put down roots and raise our four children amongst our family. I have always possessed a deep desire to be of service to others, especially in times of crisis, and this aspiration was what led me to the medical field. While holding down a full-time nursing position and raising my children, I pursued my Masters and Doctorate in Nursing and will finish a Masters in Public Health from UC Berkeley this summer. In addition to my clinic work, I am an Assistant Professor of Nursing, serve on state and national boards, publish and present academically. My life’s work has been caring for people in their most vulnerable moments by listening with compassion so I can respond effectively. Running for office and advocating for the most vulnerable people is my next step. |
Jessica Bateman 22nd LD State Representative
Position 2 Triple Endorsement
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First elected in 2015, Jessica currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Olympia. She has over a decade of experience in the public health policy and legislative affairs. Jessica earned her graduate degree in public administration from The Evergreen State College. She has been a progressive champion of affordable housing and civil rights on council. She led the Home Fund campaign, a historical affordable housing measure in the south Puget Sound and sponsored Olympia’s Sanctuary City Resolution. She works as a health policy analyst representing Washington’s community health centers. In that role she works to ensure all Washingtonians have access to quality healthcare regardless of their ability to pay. She has worked as a union organizer for homecare workers, legislative aide to former Rep. Chris Reykdal, and Community Impact Director for The United Way of Thurston County. |
Glenda Breiler 22nd LD State Representative
Position 2 Triple Endorsement
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Glenda Breiler is a Washington tribal member, social worker, educator, and environmentalist. Glenda has dedicated her career to creating pathways to opportunity, which is shown in her work as the Managing Director of the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at the Evergreen State College. Her vision is to build the Longhouse as a community center and learning environment that increases accessibility for students of all cultures to feel welcome and gather. Likewise, she served as the MESA Director for the Edmonds Community College, researcher at the UW, and Deputy Director for WIGA. Glenda earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in human services Western Washington University. She serves as a member of People of Color, Candidates and Campaigns (POC), board member for Evergreen Council for Problem Gambling; community organizer for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman; and is a community organizer for Annual Women's March. |
Christine Rolfes 23rd LD State Senator
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In addition to being the State Senator for the 23rd Legislative District, Christine is a wife and mother of two college-aged daughters and lives with her husband on Bainbridge Island. Christine earned an MPA from the University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs, and a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia. With a background in both economics and environmental policy, for the past 25 years Christine has consistently worked to bring together diverse points of view to create viable, common-sense solutions for communities. Prior to being elected to the Legislature in 2006, Christine was twice elected to the Bainbridge Island City Council. She is currently the Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, and has played a pivotal role in the legislature advocating for K-12 education funding, behavioral health reforms, and environmental protection and climate change reduction. |
Leslie Daugs 23rd LD State Representative Position 1
Dual Endorsement
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Leslie Daugs is in her 4th term as the Councilwomen for the City of Bremerton. Like many first generation Filipinos, Leslie’s parents moved to Bremerton because of the Navy. She was born and raised in Bremerton, WA. Leslie, and her husband Daryl, have three children and two grand children. She ran a before and after-school program for kids, has been a foster parent in this community, plays soccer four to five times a week at Pendergast Park, and is a Campus Security Officer for the Bremerton School District. Leslie has spoken up for injustice against women within the work place, within the community , and nation wide. She will continue to speak up, and knows the importance of standing with women as she has seen women get treated unfairly within work as well as herself. |
Tarra Simmons 23rd LD State Representative Position 1
Dual Endorsement
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Tarra Simmons is an Attorney and the Director of the Civil Survival Project at the Public Defender Association in Seattle, WA. CSP advances the rights of the formerly incarcerated through organizing, leadership development, legislative advocacy and direct legal services. Ms. Simmons has been appointed by Governor Inslee to both the Statewide Reentry Council and the Public Defense Advisory Board. She currently serves on the Legal Services Corporation Emerging Leaders Council, the Washington State Criminal Sentencing Task Force, and on the Board of Directors for the Economic Opportunity Institute and the National Council of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls. She is a 2018 JustLeadership USA Fellow, and was recently honored with the WACDL Champion of Justice, the YWCA Woman of Achievement award, and the US Senator Patty Murray Golden Tennis Shoe. She speaks frequently on issues relating to access to justice, criminal justice, sentencing and prison reform. |
Julie Door 25th LD State Senate
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Julie Door is a life-long, active member of the Puyallup community and current Mayor of Puyallup. As Mayor, she has rebuilt relationships between the city and the school district and between the city and our first responders. Julie cares deeply about her community and has built a reputation for being responsive, fighting for kids and families and standing up for workers. Julie has worked hard to protect our neighborhoods from unregulated halfway houses for sex offenders. Protecting kids and families has been her top priority on the Puyallup City Council and now her objective is to work collaboratively with colleagues in Olympia to move the 25th LD forward. Julie believes the 25th District deserves Democratic representation – someone who will go to Olympia and fight to rebuild our economy, protect workers, and create jobs. She also cares about safeguarding our communities by expanding access to health care, investing in public safety and fully funding education. |
Jamie Smith 25th LD State Representative Position 1
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From a family of teachers, nurses, veterans, and police officers, Jamie Smith is running for Washington State Legislature, because she was born to serve. Jamie has served her community for 16 years as an educator, assistant coach, and advisor. As a leader in her profession she has created new teacher evaluation tools, represented her union for over a decade, and earned a National Board Certificate. Jamie also works with a national non-profit to develop character in students throughout the nation. She provides free training and curriculum to teachers across the United States, helping students recognize the ability within themselves to accomplish their dreams and to understand that every person has the potential to change the world. Her role building character, cohesion, and compromise are skills desperately needed in our political climate. Jamie Smith will use the skills she has developed to fight for our women and families down in Olympia. |
Joy Stanford 26th LD State Representative Position 2
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As a fresh face in politics, Joy Stanford is well positioned to capitalize on national and local trends pushing for new representation and innovative ideas. Stanford is a Community Outreach Specialist for Shared Housing Services -- connecting people facing housing insecurity with real solutions and resources -- and a substitute teacher in the Peninsula School District. She is a champion for creating a diverse and equitable environment for all Washingtonians. As a woman of color from a working family, Stanford is dedicated to ensuring income equality and proper access to education for everyone in the 26th Legislative District and across the state. Her priorities include progressive healthcare, education, and transportation legislation to push the 26th district into the future. A fierce advocate and dedicated community member, Joy Stanford is ready to take your voices to Olympia and fight for our shared values. |
Jeannie Darnelle 27th LD State Senate
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Jeannie Darneille came to the political arena after over 30 years experience in the non-profit sector, where she directed social service agencies addressing HIV/AIDS, food insecurity, homelessness, adult basic education, immigrant rights, homecare services, and women's rights. She started volunteering 50 years ago in the women's movement, anti-war movement, LGBTQ rights efforts, and many more. She maintains that advocacy today, adding work on environmental and justice issues. First elected in 2000, she served 12 years in the WA House of Representatives from the 27th District in Tacoma. She weathered a costly race in 2012 for the Senate seat when an anti-choice, anti-marriage equality Democratic candidate self-funded a $1.3 million campaign against her. Jeannie's background includes growing up in a military family. She has a BA from Western Washington University and a M.Ed. from Colorado State University. She has been described as being "as tough as a 50-cent steak". She is. |
Laurie Jinkins 27th LD State Representative
Position 1
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Laurie Jinkins has represented the most of the city of Tacoma and Ruston (27th LD) since 2010. She's a native Midwesterner who earned her bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law. Jinkins also completed executive studies at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. She has consistently pursued social justice, advocating for a woman's right to choose, working to end domestic violence, promoting a sane immigration policy, encouraging living wages, ending climate change, and assuring that LGBTQ people and people of color are able to fully participate in society. Some of her legislative priorities include improving our schools ad health care, fixing our mental health care system, protecting Washington's anti-discrimination laws, addressing homelessness, improving housing availability and quality, addressing disproportionality in all our systems, consumer protection and helping working families. |
Mari Leavitt 28th LD State Representative
Position 1
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Mari Leavitt grew up in a military family moving frequently in her youth. Representative Leavitt graduated high school in Tacoma, Washington where she attended community college before pursuing her Bachelor Degree at Western Washington University. Focused on making our schools as strong as possible, she earned a PH.D from Oregon State University in Community College Leadership and a Masters in Education from Western Washington University. Leavitt and her husband have several children, and own an orthodontics practice. Elected in 2018 to the position of State Representative in the 28th legislative district, Leavitt prioritizes putting students first, providing behavioral health services and strengthening the social safety-net, creating jobs and investing in our future, and holding the government fiscally accountable. She continues to support local communities and represent the voices of her constituents. |
T'wina Nobles 28th LD State Senator
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T’wina Nobles is the President and CEO of the Tacoma Urban League, an elected University Place School Board Director, and the Founder of Ladies First, an in-school program dedicated to empowering young women. With over 15 years of experience as an instructor, mentor, and community leader, T’wina is running for State Senate to expand upon her work advocating for equity and justice in our communities. Once elected, T’wina will use the tools of legislation to continue to fight for inclusive schools, non-discrimination, and equitable opportunities for women and girls. That said, T'wina is not waiting to be elected to be a champion for women. Under T'wina's leadership at the Tacoma Urban League, the TUL has added childbirth and doula services to its programming. In her service on the school board, T'wina has partnered with YWCA and Planned Parenthood to provide a curriculum on healthy relationships, consent, what choice regarding sexual health means, and how to access resources. |
Melanie Morgan 29th LD State Representative Position 1
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Representative Melanie Morgan was a school board director for Franklin Pierce SD, a commissioner on the board of the Pierce County Housing Authority, a safe housing coordinator, member of Tacoma Affordable Housing Consortium, a board member for Community Healthcare, and a mortgage banker. She is a veteran and currently serves as the Vice-Chair of Housing, Community Development & Veterans, Capital Budget, Commerce & Gaming, and Rules committees, and is the Deputy Majority Floor Leader. She was also appointed by the Governor to serve on the Equity Task Force. She has led the way on equity issues and plans to continue these efforts as she runs for re-election. Representative Morgan knows the struggle of the people in her community because she has lived it. She has been homeless and a recipient of Section 8 housing and food stamps. She will continue to fight for those who have been marginalized by polices that were instituted to support those at the top. She is the voice of the 29th. |
Sharlett Mena 29th LD State Representative Position 2
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Sharlett Mena is Special Assistant to the Director of the Washington Department of Ecology. In her role, Sharlett leads statewide strategies to protect Washington’s natural resources. Sharlett was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University. She has since worked in federal and state government. While working in the U.S. Congress, Sharlett led a bilingual outreach effort that helped thousands of Americans get healthcare for the first time under the Affordable Care Act. While working in the State Senate, she worked to expand language access to the state policy, and supported passage of landmark state policies like the Washington Voting Rights Act. While working for Governor Inslee, Sharlett helped lead coordinated responses to protect Washingtonians from harmful policies like family separation and drastic cuts to food stamps. Sharlett is a proud resident of South Tacoma where she is active in the 29th District Democrats. |
Jamila Taylor 30th LD State Representative
Position 1
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Jamila Taylor is a small business owner and victim rights advocate with an extensive record of volunteer service in the Puget Sound. She will bring a needed voice for women, seniors, youth and other vulnerable populations in the criminal justice system to Olympia. As the former Statewide Advocacy Counsel for Northwest Justice Project, Jamila managed a network of legal aid attorneys assisting domestic violence survivors and other crime victims. She has worked locally and regionally on youth intervention programs and other crime and violence reduction efforts. Health care is another top priority for Jamila who shares her home with her mother and sibling, both of whom live with chronic illness. Too many seniors and low income residents are having to choose between life saving medication or having somewhere to sleep at night. Jamila will bring these voices - and her legal expertise - to the table to address our shared concerns around affordable housing, public safety, and health care. |
Katie Young 31st LD State Representative
Position 1
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Working in the arts as a freelance Director and Stage Manager for over a decade, Katie’s work combines creative problem solving, efficient use of finances, and collaboration to achieve results. She is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association union where she serves on the Stage Manager and Member Education Committees. She graduated from New York University's Gallatin School with a BA in Individualized Study concentrating in Theater, Business, and Genocide Studies. Professionally, she has invested her time in mentoring young women beginning their careers in the arts. Katie believes in equity in government policy and will fight to increase opportunity, safety, and support for women in Washington. We must support universal healthcare with strict protections of reproductive and trans rights, access to affordable childcare and quality education, affordable housing, and worker's rights including family and safe leave. |
Cindy Ryu 32nd LD State Representative
Position 1
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Rep. Cindy Ryu has lived in North Seattle, Shoreline, Lynnwood and Edmonds, 4 of 6 cities of 32nd Legislative District since 1976 and raised 3 children who attended Edmonds and Shoreline Schools. She has extensive work history since she was 12 years old, including nursing assistant, medical transcriptionist, Management Systems Analyst/Records Manager for City of Seattle, Allstate Insurance Agent, Shoreline City Councilmember and Mayor. Rep. Ryu chairs the Housing, Community Development and Veterans Committee. She received both an MBA and BS in Microbiology from UW. Both at her Presbyterian church and in raising two daughters, Rep. Ryu has advocated for women's leadership development and building capacity. |
Mia Su-Ling Gregerson 33rd LD State Representative
Position 2
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Mia was born in Taiwan in the early 1970's and was brought to Washington by her adopted parents who were living on the air force base in Taipei. She grew up in South King county and raised her daughter Alexis who now lives in Portland Oregon. Prior to serving in Olympia she was a council member and the former Mayor for the city of SeaTac. Mia was appointment to the House of Representatives in 2013 and currently serves as Chair of the State Government and Tribal Relations committee and serves as a committee member on Transportation and Labor and Workforce Standards. Mia enjoys spending time hiking and hanging out with friends when she is back from serving in Olympia. |
Eileen Cody 34th LD State Representative
Position 1
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After growing up on the family farm in Iowa Eileen attended college in Omaha, Nebraska, graduating with an Associate degree in Nursing from the College of St Mary and then a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Creighton University. After graduation she made the move to Seattle and started working as a staff nurse at Group Health Cooperative (now Kaiser Permanente) from which she recently retired. At Group Health she was on the original organizing committee and became the first treasurer of the nurse’s union there, 1199NW- SEIU. After 10 years of working to grow the union and advancing the rights of nurses she ran for the Washington State House of Representatives. She has served in the House since 1994 and has been the chair of the House Health and Wellness committee for 22 years. During that time she has worked to provide access to health care for all Washingtonians, and focused on improving the state’s behavioral health and long term care systems. |
Darcy Huffman 35th LD State Representative
Position 2
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Darcy Huffman grew up in a Union home near Snohomish. She is a wife, mom, grandmother, and a life-long Democrat. Her professional experience includes more than 20 years in retail bank management, as well as almost 10 years as the Administrator of a large Lutheran Church. Darcy is known by her coworkers as a problem solver, a collaborator and an advocate for social justice. As a Representative she will use these skills to help state government, commercial businesses and non-profits work together to improve the lives of the families in the 35th LD. Her economic development plans include revising the Growth Management Act to allow for residential and business development while protecting the beauty of our rural community, improving broadband access everywhere and revising our healthcare system to better meet the needs of patients, doctors, nurses, clinics and hospitals. She has lived with her husband and family in Thurston County for 20 years and enjoys travel, photography and gardening. |
Noel Frame 36th LD State Representative
Position 1
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State Representative Noel Frame has represented Seattle’s 36th Legislative District since 2016. A former foster parent, she champions issues affecting children, youth and young adults, including the child welfare, juvenile justice and behavioral health systems. She is the Co-Chair of the Children’s Mental Health Work Group and is a member of the Partnership Council for Juvenile Justice. She is an unabashed tax nerd, working to change our state’s regressive tax code to make it more equitable for low- and middle-income individuals and small, start-up and low margin businesses. She serves on the House Finance Committee and Co-Chairs the Tax Structure Work Group. Noel lives in Greenwood and works as a community development and planning consultant for BDS Planning & Urban Design, a small business located in the 36th’s Belltown neighborhood. Noel has a 20-year career in community and political organizing and communications. |
Liz Berry 36th LD State Representative
Position 2
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Liz Berry is a working mom, nonprofit executive director, and champion for women in leadership. She is running for the State House of Representatives in the 36th Legislative District. Liz serves as Executive Director of the Washington State Association for Justice, the oldest and largest civil justice advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. She is the former Legislative Director to U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona. Liz is the past President of the National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington and has served on the boards of numerous organizations dedicated to recruiting women into leadership positions. More about Liz here: lizberry.com. |
Sharon Tomiko Santos 37th LD State Representative
Position 1
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Elected in 1998, Sharon Tomiko Santos represents the most diverse legislative district in Washington state. Her concern for women, immigrants and refugees, and people of color is well-known. In 1996, Santos was an Honoree of the Washington State Women’s Political Caucus; in 2006, she received the Hate Free Zone Leadership in Justice in Government award; and, in 2019, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Organizing Committee gave her their Lifetime Achievement award. As a legislator, Santos is a recognized champion of civil rights. She has sponsored legislation to repeal Initiative 200, which eliminated affirmative action policies in higher education, public employment, and contracting for women and people of color. Santos is the Chair of the House Education Committee and sits on the Consumer Protection & Business and the Capital Budget committees. A graduate of the Evergreen State College and Northeastern University, Santos worked in banking, in local government, and in non-profit management. |
Kirsten Harris-Talley 37th LD State Representative
Position 2
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Kirsten Harris-Talley is a mother, educator, wife, and neighbor in the 37th Legislative District. She currently serves as the Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington where she leads over 35,000 members to take action and win on issues of reproductive freedom for women and their families in Washington State. Politically, she has worked to build the political power of women across Washington State for over a decade. In her capacity as Political and Program Director at Progress Alliance, she managed their granting portfolio which funded a variety of political organizations dedicated to the advancement of diverse political candidates including women. She also was a founding board member of SURGE Reproductive Justice and has helped pass several statewide laws advancing women's rights. Kirsten will continue to champion issues of equity, gender justice, and reproductive justice as State Representative for the 37th Legislative District. |
Emily Wicks 38th LD State Representative
Position 1
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Emily Wicks was born and raised in the 38th Legislative District and currently serves as a State Representative in the Washington State Legislature. She is the President of the National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington and is on the board of the Marysville YMCA and the Marysville School District Foundation. Emily is a graduate of WSU with degrees in political science and public relations. Prior experience includes Deputy Finance Director for the campaign to elect Gov. Jay Inslee, a legislative aide to then State Rep. and current Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib, and the Communications and Community Relations Coordinator for the Marysville School District. Emily founded BOSSY LLC with the goal of creating "The Core", a co-working, retail and membership organization designed for and to support working women. She is dedicated to ensuring women have equal political representation and to helping elect pro-choice women. Emily lives in Everett with her partner James “Bubba” Day. |
Liz Lovelett 40th LD State Senator
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Liz Lovelett is an involved and dedicated leader in the 40th Legislative District. As a fifth generation Fidalgo Island resident and single mother of two spirited daughters, Liz is rooted and invested in her community and the future of our state. She served Anacortes as a city council member for five years and was appointed to the Washington State Senate in 2019. She currently serves on the Senate Transportation Committee where she is a leader on issues concerning the ferry system; the Local Government Committee where she is working on climate change, land use and the Growth Management Act; and is the Vice Chair of the Energy, Environment and Technology Committee. A frequent and passionate speaker at Women's Marches and reproductive rights rallies, she leads by example. She is an advocate for affordable housing and homeless services, environmental justice, public safety, and is a conduit between local and state government. |
Debra Lekanoff 40th LD State Representative Position 1
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Representative Lekanoff has called Skagit Valley home for over 20 years. After graduating with a BA from Central Washington University, she spent 18 years working for Tribal governments to improve public health, protect the environment, and increase jobs. She’s a working mom who successfully passed a number of bills: protecting natural resources, safety for farmworkers, access to reproductive healthcare, strengthening law enforcement response to missing and murdered indigenous women, funding the Housing Trust Fund, and climate change. Today, she is working to ensure families have resources to protect everyone’s health and well-being during the pandemic. Debra will continue to set a broad table for stakeholder input while focusing on economic and community recovery, women and families, healthcare, and environmental health. She is proud to represent you and is endorsed by labor organizations including nurses, grocery store workers, teachers, NARAL, and the WA State Labor Council. |
Tara Senn 41st LD State Representative
Position 1
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State Representative Tana Senn is a proven champion for women's rights, empowerment and leadership. Her multi-year effort to pass the Equal Pay Opportunity Act resulted in one of the strongest equal pay laws in the country and the first update to Washington's equal pay laws in 75 years. Tana consistently focuses on issues that make life easier for working families. This year, her leadership on childcare issues has helped build a broad coalition of children's advocates, business, women's groups and childcare providers to make childcare more accessible and affordable and help children, families and the economy grow strong. After earning her MPA from Columbia University, Tana worked in communications and government relations for nonprofits and foundations and served as a Mercer Island City Council member for three years before becoming a State Representative. Tana has served as a board member for Hopelink, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, etc. |
Lisa Wellman 41st LD State Senator
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Senator Lisa Wellman was elected in 2016 after a career in technology including executive level positions in Fortune 100 companies. Lisa began as a school teacher but changed course becoming a systems analyst and programmer. Recruited by Apple Computer, her success led to her promotion as VP of worldwide creative markets. In the Senate, Lisa chairs the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee and serves on the Energy, Environment and Technology and Labor & Commerce committee. Also - Educational Opportunity Oversight and Accountability Committee, Mastery-based Learning Work Group, Women’s Commission, and the Tax Structure Workgroup. She’s Co-chair of Workforce of the Future for PNWER and a mentor for MBA candidates at the University of Washington. She earned a B.A., Summa Cum Laude, from Barat College and enjoys photography, travel, reading and bridge. She has two daughters and a grandson and resides on Mercer Island. |
My-Linh Thai 41st LD State Representative Position 2
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My-Linh Thai successfully served her first term as State Representative for the 41st legislative district. Prior to elected in this position, she was elected to serve as Bellevue School Board President and Washington State School Board Directors Association Vice-President. My-Linh earned her degree in Pharmacy at the University of Washington school of pharmacy. She is an award-winning PTSA parent who has been committed to improving education, providing opportunities, and ensuring quality of life for Eastside families. My-Linh came to the United States with her family as a refugee from Vietnam at the age of 15. Being the first refugee elected to serve in the Washington State Legislature, she commits her work toward ensuring access to opportunities and lifting marginalized voices across Washington. My-Linh also commits to significant action in the issue of climate change, criminal justice reform, and equitable education system. |
Sharon Shewmake 42nd LD State Representative Position 2
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Sharon Shewmake is a champion for things that impact her kids--addressing climate change and making sure that every kid has an opportunity to succeed by investing in early learning. She is an economics professor at Western Washington University and tries to bring the best available science, data and evidence into every decision she makes. She first for office in 2018, and has been honored to serve Whatcom County in the Washington State Legislature. |
Nicole Macri 43rd LD State Representative Position 1
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First elected to the State House in 2016, Nicole has been a legislative leader in protecting and expanding state investments in affordable housing, homelessness response, access to health care, and in enacting laws that protect LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, renters and low-income homeowners from discrimination and displacement. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington, and completed a Certificate in Executive Leadership at Seattle University’s Albers School of Business. Outside the Legislature, she is Deputy Director of the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) which provides housing, shelter, integrated mental health, addiction treatment and other social services. In 2019, Nicole was named one of Seattle’s most influential people by Seattle Magazine and received the Power Award from the Gender Justice League for her success in passing the Reproductive Health Access for All Act. |
Jessi Murray 43rd LD State Representative Position 2
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Jessi Murray has been a community activist, leader, and volunteer for more than half of her life, particularly in the realms of reproductive justice, healthcare access, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. She strives to always make a positive impact on the world, especially for marginalized communities, and that has led her down a variety of unexpected paths, from attending a then-unaccredited Olin College of Engineering to working on open-source software facilitating HIV and cancer research. A native of Massachusetts, she's been a Seattle resident for 10 years, mostly on Capitol Hill. She is a Commissioner and recent co-chair of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, a PCO and former Membership Chair with the 43rd LD Dems, and has worked on legislation such as the Reproductive Health Access for All Act on behalf of the Northwest Abortion Access Fund. She aims to continue elevating these issues of injustice as well as fighting for structural changes like a progressive tax structure and greater urgency around greater urgency around climate change solutions. |
April Berg 44th LD State Representative Position 2
Dual Endorsement
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April Berg and her family have lived in the local community for over 20 years and currently live in the city of Mill Creek. Ms. Berg is a Director on the Everett School Board and a Planning Commissioner for the City of Mill Creek. She also serves as a Trustee of for the Seattle Children's Theatre and is a member of the Snohomish County Juvenile Justice Cultural Competency Committee. April Berg is a former member of the Edmonds School Board and served on the Everett School District Capital Bond Planning Committee. Ms. Berg is a former small business owner and a former program manager for a large aerospace company. As an African American woman, Ms. Berg will bring a perspective of inclusion to the legislature. She has worked collaboratively with many diverse groups, including communities of color, people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, first generation college students and the LGBTQ+ community. |
Anne Anderson 44th LD State Representative Position 2
Dual Endorsement
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For the past 25 years Anne Anderson has been bettering the lives of those in need. A long time Lake Stevens resident, and a mother of three, Anne has worked to pass human services focused legislation at every level of government; including Breakfast After the Bell and hunger alleviation measures in the Farm bill. Anne is the former Executive Director of the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank where she championed access for all residents and dramatically increased capacity. Currently Anne serves as the Executive Director of Victim Support Services, the states largest crime victim advocacy nonprofit. In addition, Anne serves on numerous boards and committees including: Advisory Board - Seattle University School of Criminal Justice, Alumni Committee - Leadership Snohomish County, Office of Crime Victims Advocates Board, Human Services Executives Council, Economic Alliance Snohomish County, and the Washington Food Coalition. Anne looks forward to advocating for working families, access to affordable healthcare, and investment in human services.
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Debra Entenman 47th LD State Representative Position 1
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Debra Entenman has dedicated her career to serving our South King County communities. She grew up in Rainier Vista, a low-income housing project in Seattle. Debra was fortunate to be surrounded by powerful women and a supportive community that motivated her to aspire for more. As a non-traditional college student and a mother of two, she first received a B.A. in Political Science from Seattle University and then went to Highline Community College years later. From watching her mother continue her education to become a teacher to having mentors who taught her about racial injustice, education has played a pivotal role in shaping the person that she is today as well as her politics. She analyzes every decision through the lens of a mother, women of color, and as a constituent of the district. She brings the experience necessary to ensure that all of our voices are heard in Olympia. Debra is very proud to have been endorsed by the National Women's Political Caucus.
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Vandana Slatter 48th LD State Representative
Position 1
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Dr. Vandana Slatter is a former Bellevue City Councilmember, community leader, mom, and health professional. A Doctor of Pharmacy (UW), Vandana previously spent two decades in the biotech industry bringing parties together, making sense of complex information, and achieving safe and efficient solutions to best serve patients. Vandana earned her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington. A Foundation Board Member for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, she supported a woman's right to make reproductive choices. On the State Board of Pharmacy, she helped ensure women’s access to time-sensitive medication and emergency contraception. As a State Representative for the 48th LD, Vandana continues to support legislation advancing and protecting women's rights, such as the Equal Pay Opportunity Act and the Reproductive Parity Act, and, as 2020 STEM Legislator of the Year, has advocated for access to education and careers in science and technology for women and girls.
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Amy Walen 48th LD State Representative
Position 2
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Amy was born in Oregon and studied and practiced law in Australia before moving to Kirkland, Washington in 2005 with her husband Jim. Amy was elected to the Kirkland City Council in 2009, and was selected by her colleagues on the Council to serve as Mayor in 2014. As Mayor of Kirkland she raised Kirkland’s profile in local, regional, and state-wide initiatives such as transportation infrastructure and strategic economic development, including revitalizing the Totem Lake Business District. She championed mandatory inclusion of affordable housing in residential developments and enacted source of income discrimination ordinance for Section 8 housing. She has served in the legislature since 2019. |
Annette Cleveland 49th LD State Senator
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Annette Cleveland serves as state senator representing the 49th Legislative District. Elected in November 2012, she has served two terms. In addition to her public service, Ms. Cleveland has over 37 years experience in advertising, communications, government affairs, community relations and strategic planning. Her career began at the Columbian newspaper in Advertising. She went on to enter Congressional service as staff to two different US Senators for over a decade, directed advocacy for the American Cancer Society, oversaw communications for the Chamber of Commerce and managed strategic planning for C-Tran. For the past 14 years, Annette led federal government affairs for Legacy Health. The Senator is a native of Vancouver, attended Clark College and Marylhurst University and is married with one grown daughter. She has actively advocated for social, political, legal and economic equal rights her entire career, and is most proud of sponsoring the Equal Pay Opportunity Act. |
Sharon Wylie 49th LD State Representative Position 1
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Sharon Wylie has more than 40 years of public service experience and advocacy for women’s rights. In the 70’s she organized sexual assault advocacy support work in two states. She continued to push for change as an HR professional and as a community leader. She served two terms in the Oregon Legislature in 1993-98. Before her appointment to the Washington legislature in 2011 she was a public sector lobbyist and lobbied for health, mental health, transportation and other issues of benefit to the public. She has volunteered for organizations that fight homelessness. Today she continues to advocate for women and push for a less regressive tax system. Sharon is vice chair of Transportation, serves in the Finance, Rules, and Innovation, Technology and Economic Development Committees. She also serves on the Washington State Arts Commission. She and her husband of 41 years have adult twin daughters and two grandchildren. Sharon is an enthusiastic hiker and oil painter. |
Monica Jurado Stonier 49th LD State Representative Position 2
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Rep. Stonier sees public service as a calling and a responsibility. She serves as the House Majority Floor Leader and leads her caucus on key issues like labor and workers’ rights, public education, health care access, and financial literacy. She was the first person of color to serve in 17th and the 49th legislative districts in Clark County. Professionally, Monica works as an instructional coach in Evergreen Public Schools. She is focused on ensuring students who receive special services also have access to their legally protected experiences in the general education setting, and making sure they have the supports they need to be successful. Notables include passage of key pro-labor bills and mandating comprehensive sexual health education for all kids in Washington. She garnered bipartisan support for Breakfast After the Bell, de-linking passage of the state test for high school graduation, and expanding health care access in school based healthcare centers. |
COUNTY POSITIONS
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Patti Morris Clallam Public Utility District 1 Commissioner District 2
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Patti has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of utilities, including a 28 year career at Tucson Electric Power Company. She was Best of Pima College. Patti owns a small consulting business and is a Broker with JACE Real Estate. Patti has worked hard to be a leader in women's issues and movements. She has worked hard to be in traditionally male positions. She will work hard to advocate for women. The PUD Commission position has never been held by a women. |
Rosemary Siipola Cowlitz County Commissioner District 1
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Rosemary Brinson Siipola is a 37-year resident of Cowlitz County. She & her husband Mark are the parents of three daughters. Rosemary graduated from North Carolina State University in Political Science in 1977 & continued her post-graduate studies at The University of Virginia, where she received a Masters in Planning in 1983. She has worked in economic and downtown development, transportation planning and project development for over 30 years. As an elected official in Kalama, she was instrumental in the city’s response to infrastructure destroyed in 2015 by catastrophic flooding. She served on the Washington Traffic Safety Commission between 2016-2019. Locally, she served on non-profits, including the Columbia Theatre, Red Hat Thrift Store, Envision Kalama & is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Lower Columbia College Foundation. She was Cowlitz County Democrat of the Year in 2018 & is Cowlitz County state committeewoman for the Washington Democratic Party. |
Kim Lehrman Franklin County Commissioner District 1
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Agriculture Educator and FFA Advisor, 2000-2013. Taught Agriculture Science, Horticulture, Floriculture and Welding. Award recipient as Ag. Educator at building, district and state levels. Started Chiawana High School's FFA Chapter and Floral Shop 2009. Custom swathing, baling, and hay stacking 1984-2002.
Kamiakin High graduate. Bachelors Degree, General Agriculture Science with a teaching certificate, Minor in Public Relations Washington State University-Pullman, 2000. Masters in Educational Leadership, Washington State University-Tri-Cities, 2006.
Coached youth soccer and basketball for 10 seasons, PTO member and ATP Parent Chair, Pro-bond and Levy campaign member; Title 1 School Conference representative; PSD Community Builders; iMPACT! Compassion Center mentor.
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Jamie Nichols Grays Harbor County Commissioner
District 1
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The perspective I bring is of Labor and a 36-year-old stay at home wife and mother who believes in a self sufficient life-style. Like many of you, I understand the farm and the home. This perspective is what is missing from the Commissioner’s office. It is an understanding which is critical to the area. I'm not afraid of hard work. I learned at a young age that if the wood is not chopped and stacked during the spring or summer, you can expect to be cold in the winter. I studied st Grays Harbor Community College while being a full time Mom, the Vice Chair of the Grays Harbor County Democrats, State Committee Woman, and still managed to get on Phi Theta Iota. I've always been the go to, when someone has a problem, they call me and it is fixed to the best of my ability or I know the proper resources to get the job done. Women are the future, we can handle more than what some members of society think we can. It is time to break the stereotypes, shatter the glass ceiling, Vote Female!
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Joanna Turner Klickitat County Commissioner Position 1
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Joanna Turner is running for District 1 Klickitat County Commissioner. She believes that everyone should have access to the resources they need to live a full and joyful life. Building community and sustainability are two of her priorities. Joanna is a staunch advocate for racial and ecological justice. She has completed Racial Justice trainer-the-trainer courses and leads workshops on white allyship. She is also a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocate who spends her professional life empowering survivors. Joanna graduated from Hamline University with Bachelor Degrees in Philosophy and Women’s Studies. She has also completed a Permaculture Design Certificate, Master Recycler Program and Our Whole Lives instructor training. She is an entrepreneur who founded a buying club and a food co-op. She prioritizes paying the womyn who work for her janitorial business, more than a living wage. Joanna serves on her local community council and loves volunteering at the community garden. |
Stephenie "Fe" Mischo Island County Commissioner District 2
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Fe is a mother, military spouse and proud resident of Oak Harbor, WA. She has been advocating and volunteering for 5 years and sees where her skills can benefit her community. The work she has been doing locally has focused on those most vulnerable, the homeless and elderly. Her vision is inclusive and effective and benefits everyone not just a select few. She wants to invest in the environment, her community, and its residents. She wants to create workforce housing, renewable energy sources and wrap around services for those struggling with mental and behavioral health. She knows this can be accomplished with grants, state, local and federal funds, and with a community willing to help. |
Jane Van Dyke Clark County Public Utilities Commissioner District 3
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Jane Van Dyke is a native Washingtonian, growing up in Seattle and living in Vancouver almost forty years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Santa Barbara and a law degree from Lewis and Clark Northwestern School of Law. She is an active member of the Washington State Bar Association. She attended the Non-Profit Executive Leadership Institute at the UW. With over twenty years of experience in nonprofit management, she worked at Clark County Volunteer Lawyers and Bar Association, Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council. Jane was first elected to the utility board in 1984. In 2002, she left for full-time employment. She was elected again in 2014. Jane is involved as a member and board member in a number of community organizations, including Vancouver Sunrise Rotary, Columbia Land Trust, Clark County League of Women Voters, Bridge the Gap for Foster Children, and EOCF-Headstart. |
Melanie Bacon Island County Commissioner District 1
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Melanie Bacon has served as the Island County Human Resources Director since 2010, and has spent 27 years as a Human Resources leader for both private corporations and governmental agencies. She chaired a Planning Commission, and established, managed, and sold two small businesses. She served in U.S. Army Military Intelligence and was selected Soldier of the Month and Soldier of the Quarter for her battalion. Melanie minored in Women's Studies in the late 1970s when it was a brand-new field of study at the University of Minnesota, Morris (there was no Women's Studies major yet). As a young feminist she marched for Choice and for the Equal Rights Amendment, and chaired the Minnesota National Organization for Women State Conference. Melanie served on the board of the Region 4 Council on Domestic Violence in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, was a volunteer Prison Chaplain at the Shakopee Women’s Prison, and was a foster mother for troubled teenage girls. She is passionate about women's issues. |
Stacey Spencer Smith Kitsap County Commissioner District 2
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I believe our local leaders should have a solid record of solving local problems, understanding our community’s needs, and demonstrating leadership to get things done for our community. My work experience is broad and demonstrates progressive leadership in Kitsap County, as well as Washington State. I have spent the last 25 years advocating for Kitsap County residents of all ages. I am currently the Director of Kitsap Aging and Long Term Care, where I am responsible for daily operations, direct and subcontracted services for older adults and younger adults with disabilities, their families and caregivers throughout Kitsap County. I know how our community works and how it can work better. I encourage a workplace of professional growth and welcome diversity. As Kitsap’s Junior Commissioner, I promise to instill a culture of listening to others, valuing different perspectives, and mentoring for all women. |
Katie Haven Okanogan County Commissioner District 2
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Katie Haven grew up in the Pacific Northwest and spent most of her professional life breaking gender stereotypes. She was one of two women in her class to graduate in engineering from the California Maritime Academy, then spent the next 30 years in a sea-going career, achieving the rank of Chief Engineer. She was active in the Women’s Maritime Association, advocating for fair treatment of women who work at sea, and served on the Alaska Department of Transportation’s Committee on Women’s Equality. Katie lives on a small ranch in Okanogan County, where she tends a flock of sheep. She is active in local agricultural groups and has been a key volunteer for Okanogan County Watch, an award-winning group of county residents who take notes and videos at county commission meetings to share with the public. She has been a strong supporter of local efforts to provide social services to young women and girls and will work hard to assure those services are a priority in Okanogan County. |
Lorna Smith Jefferson County Commissioner District 2
Dual Endorsement
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Lorna Smith is a ecologist who has worked most her career as a land-use planner and manager for local government, primarily Snohomish County. She has served for the past six years on Jefferson County’s Planning Commission and Conservation Futures Committee. She is the current Executive Director for Western Wildlife Outreach. She has spent her career working in fields dominated by men, and has always worked harder and more diligently to be that example of how successful women can fill these roles. Ms. Smith has championed many progressive causes, has run several legislative campaigns, one congressional campaign and one initiative campaign. She has served as a mentor for women following in her footsteps and has hired and coached women for roles in government positions. As a County Commissioner, she will use her position and influence to continue to push for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and will ensure that the County’s hiring and recruiting processes treat women fairly. |
Heidi Eisenhour Jefferson County Commissioner District 2
Dual Endorsement
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As a 40 year resident of Jefferson County, Heidi has a deep and abiding care for her community. She graduated from Port Townsend High School with honors in Creative Writing in 1988 and The Evergreen State College with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science in 1994. She has a strong track record of effective commuinty engagement in all of her professional roles and has actively hired and promoted women into positions of increasing responsibility. Some specific examples include her role as Outreach Director from 1999-2003 for a three-year, $84M campaign to protect 38,000 acres in the Central Cascades of Washington where her entirely female team engaged over 16,000 donors. In more recent roles she has made way for young women to follow in her footsteps as she moved onto other roles by advocating for them stepping into positions of more responsibility. So, not in broad sweeping ways, but one talented woman at a time, Heidi has opened pathways for women in every role she has had. |
Sarah Rumbaugh Pierce County Council District 2
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Sarah Rumbaugh is a graduate of Gonzaga University, B.A., and The Evergreen State College, MES program. She is a community activist and fundraiser in Pierce and Thurston Counties. She has many years of experience in campaigning and helping women succeed in political office by raising the necessary funds to run a winning campaign. She serves on the City of Tacoma Human Rights Commission and believes strongly that there is injustice in our society when we don't stand up for the rights of everyone. She currently assists Rebuilding Hope, The Sexual Assault Center for Pierce County with their communications and fundraising, and is a strong proponent of advocating for funds to assist women and others who are victims of sexual assault and abuse. We must also be mindful that women continue to be victims of this type of abuse because of our society's systemic failure to address these issues. When Sarah is in office she will support more funding for sexual assault/abuse and domestic violence. |
Yanah Cook Pierce County Council District 3
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Yanah G. Cook has lived in unicorporated Pierce County for nearly 29 years. A college graduate of the Evergreeen State College and business owner since 1995, she enjoys tending her micro-farm in rural McKenna. Yanah worked as a union member until her recent retirement at the WA Department of Transportation. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Small Business Caucus of Washington and is an active member of the WA Federation of Democratic Women. She is a strong advocate for her neighbors in Pierce County. She has worked on numerous campaigns that support school levies, fire levies and associated bonds. Each legislative session she works to pursue lowering the Washington Business & Occupation Tax as an volunteer lobbyist for legislation benefiting women business owners in her district. Four years ago, Yanah was elected as a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO), a position she still holds in Precinct 2-145 today. Above all else, she enjoys speaking with and registering voters. |
Jani Hitchen Pierce County Council District 6
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Jani Hitchen is a Pierce County resident for over 25 years, a public school science and technology teacher for over 20 years and a proud member and leader in the union. She believes that it is time to listen to the people across the county, and it is time for the council to take action with the future in mind. She has plans that include compassionate care for our mentally ill, working towards increasing housing for all levels on income, caring for our environment and working to a better future in the county. She wants Pierce County to be the place were people come to live, work and raise a family. She would be proud to serve the people of Pierce County's 6th District. |
Cindy Wolf San Juan County Council
District 2
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Cindy Wolf is a working mother and a long time advocate for women's empowerment. She is a long-time advocate for gender, environmental, racial and economic justice. Since the year she was the only girl (and a pretty good offensive tackle) in the Parks and Rec Flag Football League, she has worked to erase barriers to power and access. While earning her B.A. at Occidental College, she co-founded and recruited leadership for their first Women's Center. After moving to Seattle in 1993, she worked in grocery store wine departments and served as Shop Steward for UFCW 1100 because they made sure women got equal pay and protection from harassment. She eventually became District Sales Manger for a national wine portfolio and mentored and connected women wherever possible. Most recently she helped found a coalition of women on Orcas Island that works to protect immigrants, encourage women in civic leadership and elect women, particularly those of color, to office. |
Carolina Mejia Thurston County Commissioner
District 1
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Born in Honduras, at 11 years old Carolina and her family moved to the USA, and settled in Shelbyville, Tennessee a small rural community and a cultural world away from what she had known. Aided by her bilingual education in Honduras, Carolina - like so many children of immigrants, became the interpreter for her own family and soon found herself translating for other community members every day after school at reduced fee medical clinics. Carolina is a graduate of Christian Brothers University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a minor in Pre-Law. Carolina has been a Judicial Assistant with Thurston County Superior Court since 2015, where she works closely with Judges serving our community. She is the Treasurer of the Washington State Democratic Latino Caucus, a member of Thurston County Democrats and Thurston County Women Democrats. She has volunteered and advocated for many causes in Washington State. |
Christine Grant Whatcom Public Utility District Commissioner District 1
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Christine Grant teaches energy policy at Western Washington University’s Institute for Energy Studies. She has close to fifteen years of experience working with utilities, municipalities, and government agencies on resource conservation efforts. Many of her projects focus on financing strategies for clean energy and green jobs initiatives; she has helped her clients bring in over $25 million in competitive funding. Key past clients include: the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inland Power and Light, Columbia River PUD, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Puget Sound Partnership, the Port of Seattle, and the American Farmland Trust. She is currently a candidate for the Whatcom County PUD Commission where she hopes to bridge the digital divide by building high speed, broadband internet infrastructure, create clean energy jobs, and conserve water resources. If elected, she will be the first female Commissioner in the 83 year history of the PUD. |
JUDICIAL POSITIONS
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Raquel Montoya-Lewis State Supreme Court Position 3
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Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court by Governor Jay Inslee in December 2019 and took the oath of office on January 6, 2020. Justice Montoya-Lewis is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Isleta and a descendant of the Pueblo of Laguna, two federally recognized tribes in New Mexico. Prior to becoming an Associate Justice, she served as a Superior Court judge for Whatcom County for five years, where she heard criminal and civil trials and presided over the Whatcom County Therapeutic Drug Court. In the 15 years prior to her work on the Superior Court, she served as a tribal court judge for multiple tribes in the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest. From 2003 to 2015, she served as a tenured Associate Professor at Western Washington University's Fairhaven College, where she taught law related courses and courses on identity development and Federal Indian Law. |
G. Helen Whitener State Supreme Court Position 6
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Justice G. Helen Whitener is a former Pierce County Superior Court judge, Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals judge and Pro-tem judge in the Pierce County District Court and Tacoma Municipal Court. She is also a former prosecutor and defense attorney. Justice Whitener was the 2019 recipient of the WSBA’s C.Z. Smith Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, the King County Washington Women Lawyers President Award and the Seattle University School of Law Woman of the Year Award. In 2018 she received the Pierce County Washington Women Lawyers Woman of the Year Award. Justice Whitener is the first Black woman to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court and is co-chair of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission. She is a member of the International Association of Women Judges, the National Association of Women Judges and is a judicial member of the Washington Women Lawyers Association. |
Maureen McKee King County Superior Court Judge Position 5
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Judge Maureen McKee was appointed by Governor Inslee to the King County Superior Court bench in 2018. Prior to joining the judiciary, she served our most vulnerable communities as a respected King County Public Defender. For over 15 years, she represented indigent individuals and managed teams of lawyers and investigators. Judge McKee was known for insisting on a high level of representation for those who could not afford counsel. She represented both adults and juveniles facing criminal charges and involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. Judge McKee’s experience working with everyone involved in our court system is an important asset to the King County Superior Court bench. Her work over many years has given her a deep understanding of the disparate treatment of minorities in our justice system, and she is committed to being a part of responsible change while working to improve public safety. |
Shelley Ajax Benton-Franklin County Superior Court Judge Position 1
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Ms. Ajax has served Benton and Franklin counties as an attorney and community volunteer for over 30 years. Ms. Ajax’s personal story is one of perseverance and commitment to her family and community. As a non-lawyer, Ms. Ajax worked at a civil law firm for 15 years while volunteering as a Guardian Ad Litem, protecting young children in our community. After the tragic accidental death of Ms. Ajax’s husband, she embarked, with kids in tow, to complete law school in 2 years. Ms. Ajax founded the Benton-Franklin Young Lawyers Division. For the last 10 years, Ms. Ajax has served the community with her work as a public servant in the criminal arena protecting the rights of citizens and upholding the constitution. Her volunteer work has been crucial to Benton-Franklin Legal Aid, among other agencies. Since 2010 she has served as a volunteer Arbitrator. Ms. Ajax continues to voluntarily train and educate fellow attorneys, emphasizing the importance of ethics and Pro Bono opportunities. |
Kathleen Petrich Island County Superior Court Judge Position 2
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Kathleen Petrich is a proven hard worker, known as a fair but firm, prepared, and knowledgeable pro tem Island County judge. She’s passionate about the law, and patient and compassionate to all that come before her. For 25 years, Kathleen practiced law in King County, across the U.S., and, in some cases, internationally. For the last 10 years of private practice, she was a partner at Miller Nash Graham & Dunn/Miller Nash/Graham & Dunn. Kathleen has been honored by her peers and judges for her integrity and legal skills including Martindale Hubbell AV Judicial rating, Best Lawyers, and Washington Super Lawyers (top 50 women 2015, 2016, and 2017). With her law degree from Seattle University School of Law in 1992 and an engineering degree from Valparaiso University in 1982, Kathleen is a natural problem solver. She values justice, community, and lifelong learning. She is a proud League of Women Voters Whidbey Island member and a past president of the Friends of the Langley Library. |
Melinda Young King County Superior Court Judge Position 6
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I grew up in south King County, graduated summa cum laude from Washington State University, and with honors from the University of Washington Law School. I joined the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in 1995, where I tried over 100 jury trials. I supervised a specialized homicide unit, was vice-chair of the domestic violence unit, and supervised the Economic Crimes Unit. In each area, I focused on the most vulnerable members of our community, often women. I was awarded the Randy Revelle Award for Mental Health Advocacy, the Matthew Simone Award for excellence in public/private partnership, and the PAO Innovation award for creativity in trial advocacy. As a judge, I have been assigned to civil trials. I work to mentor female attorneys and I am acutely aware of the disproportionate impact that many areas of law have on women. I work on the King County bar association's diversity committee and I'm a member of the Washington Women's Lawyers. |
Hillary Madsen King County Superior Court Judge Position 13
Dual Endorsement
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Hillary Madsen has focused her legal career on advocating for children and youth. Hillary holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and earned her law degree from Seattle University. She has worked for big law firms, the government, a legal nonprofit, and a small neighborhood family law firm. She has practiced law in every arena – the state legislature, administrative bodies, trial courts, and appellate courts – so she knows from personal experience the legal system could work better. Hillary believes judges must recognize the dignity of every person and effectively administer the legal system through recognizing and fixing system failures. A former NWPCWA Campaign Heroine, Hillary is well-positioned to advocate for the core values of our legal system by combating discrimination, acknowledging the impact of income inequality on litigants, and actively participating in community conversations about justice. |
Andrea Robertson King County Superior Court Judge Position 13
Dual Endorsement
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Andrea Robertson has been a strong, successful trial lawyer in the largely male dominated profession of criminal defense law for nearly 22 years. She is a highly respected trial lawyer and advocate for those members of our community who are challenged by the justice system and often lack the confidence and skill to speak for themselves. Her long experience and competence in the courtroom has now resulted in endorsements from dozens of trial court judges. They understand that at this challenging time, when the courts are facing backlogs of trials put on hold by the COVID crisis and the need to restructure the way courts operate to keep everyone safe, a judge with Andrea Robertson’s courtroom experience is vitally needed. In short, this is a time when experience really matters. Over more than two decades, Andrea has taught and mentored young women, many of whom have gone on to careers in the law or become politically engaged. She is a regular donor to Mary's Place. |
Carolyn Ladd King County Superior Court Judge Position 30
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Carolyn Ladd is a graduate of the Judicial Academy at the National Judicial College. She serves as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Seattle Municipal Court where she strives to listen, to treat everyone with dignity and respect, and to do justice. She is an employment lawyer who helps Washington State's largest private employer comply with EEO laws. She serves as a Vice President of Washington Women Lawyers. She is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education courses on diversity, equity and inclusion. She has also written articles for bar association newsletters on the Equal Rights Amendment, gender pay equity, and 2nd chances in housing and employment for the formerly incarcerated. She is rated 5 out of 5 by Martindale-Hubbell and 10 out of 10 by Avvo (their highest ratings). She was selected as an American Bar Foundation Fellow -- membership is limited to 1% of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction. |
Cindi Port King County Superior Court Judge Position 51
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Prior to her appointment to the King County Superior Court bench , Judge Cindi Port spent 25 years as a Senior Deputy Prosecutor in King County. She gained a reputation as a skilled courtroom advocate. For 15 years, she prosecuted some of our county’s most heinous crimes – many crimes against women and children. In 2010, Judge Port received the Randy Revelle Award for Mental Health Advocacy – a lifetime achievement award presented for her effective and sensitive handling of difficult competency hearings involving felony offenders. For the past 10 years, she has been a lead trial attorney in complex civil litigation on behalf of the County and its employees. With her broad range of trial experience, Judge Port has earned her place on the bench. Judge Port has also volunteered her time and leadership skills with Angeline’s Day Center, serving the needs of homeless women, and with programs supporting homeless and at-risk youth and young adults seeking to lead positive and self-sufficient lives. |
Tina Robinson Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Position 1
Dual Endorsement
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Tina Robinson has a BS in Business Adminstration and a Juris Doctorate. She was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 2006 and began her career working as an Associate Attorney with Wecker-Hunko Law Firm that same year and later with the Public Defender Office representing indigent persons accused of felonies. She negotiated resolutions with the State as well as tried many cases to a jury. Her cases were all felonies but in many different persuasions such as drugs, property, sexual and violent crimes, including murder. In 2014 Tina was elected as Kitsap County Prosecutor. She served as the Prosecutor from 2015-2018, at which time she chose not to run for re-election. During her term she focused on victim rights, reducing recidivism and human trafficking. The human trafficking efforts included a diversion program for victims to help them recover and get out of the life they had been forced into. As a Judge, Tina will enforce laws prescribed to protect women. |
Lynn K Fleischbien Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Position 1
Dual Endorsement
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Lynn was born and grew up in Kitsap County, where she had her first job as a legal assistant in high school. She is the first person in her family to go to college, taking that first step at Olympic College then earning her bachelors in psychology at WWU. After over a decade as a defense contractor serving the U.S. Navy, she went back to law school and has been in private practice for the last 20 years in Silverdale. She has spent her free time serving on the boards of more than 10 nonprofits, including one running a women's shelter, one providing free legal services, one providing dispute resolution services, and one an association of women lawyers. She has also been politically active in her community, serving as treasurer for several women-judicial candidates and the central committee, and most recently as a precinct committee officer. She is committed to ensuring that gender is not a barrier to being heard or in professional development. |
Linda Coburn Court of Appeals Division I District 2 Position 2
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Judge Linda Coburn immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 4 from Taiwan. She earned her BA at the University of Washington and MS at Ohio University. After her 13-year career as a journalist at The Seattle Times, she graduated with honors from Seattle University School of Law and embarked on a distinguished legal career as a Snohomish County Public Defender. She also served as a law clerk to Judge Stephen Dwyer (Washington State Court of Appeals) and Judge George Bowden (Snohomish County Superior Court). Since becoming judge in Edmonds in 2015, she has been committed to improving both access to justice and the quality and diversity of the judiciary. She is a member of the State Supreme Court's Minority Justice Commission and the advisory committee to the Supreme Court's Gender and Justice Commssion. Judge Coburn is a 27-year resident of Edmonds. She and her husband raised two sons in the community, where she officiates high school volleyball and occasionally umpires youth baseball. |
Lisa L. Sutton Court of Appeals Division II District 2 Position 1
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Judge Sutton has served as a Court of Appeals Judge for six years, and now is Acting Chief Judge. She previously served as a superior court judge for four years. Prior to becoming a judge, she worked for 24 years in the Wa. State Attorney General's Office, and promoted to Senior Counsel, Supervising Attorney, and Employment Team Leader, managing and supervising the statewide litigation of employment cases for the office. For years, Judge Sutton mentored lawyers, particularly female lawyers. Washington Women Lawyers gave her an award recognizing her mentoring to advance women's issues. As a judge and one of a handful to serve on the superior court and appellate court benches, she has a unique opportunity to serve as a role model for others, including the next generation. |
Anna Alexander Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Position 7
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Judge Anna Alexander was first elected as a Superior Court Judge in 2019 after nearly 20 years of practice as an attorney in various diverse disciplines. A former public defender, Judge Alexander was an attorney in private practice, representing clients in civil and criminal matters, while also serving as a Judge Pro-Tem in Snohomish County. As a first-first generation immigrant whose family escaped communism, Judge Alexander had a humble beginning. Judge Alexander worked and paid her own way through college at the University of Washington. At age 19, Judge Alexander was the youngest woman ever admitted to the University of Washington Law School, where she received distinguished and honors marks. She received her JD in 2000. In 2019 Judge Alexander received the Washington Women Lawyers’ Chapter Member of the Year award and was recognized by the organization for being an inspiration to young lawyers in our community and for her pro bono work for those individuals without resources. |
Jennifer Langbehn Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Position 13
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Judge Jennifer Langbehn was appointed to the Snohomish County Superior Court bench by Governor Inslee in 2018, and was elected in 2019 to finish his unexpired term. Prior to joining the judiciary, Judge Langbehn had a 13-year career representing Snohomish County parents and families in dependency and termination actions, adoptions and other family law matters. She served on the Snohomish County Table of Ten, an organization dedicated to improving the dependency process for families and other participants. Judge Langbehn also served as an Arbitrator in child support matters and as a Superior Court Commissioner pro tempore before being appointed to the bench. Judge Langbehn currently chairs the Superior Court’s Family Law Committee and Guardian ad Litem Committee and also serves on the Court Operations and Juvenile Court Committees. |