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VRLA WOMEN TO WATCH 2024

Washington, meet your candidates

Washington’s primary election day is Tuesday, August 6, and early voting is already in progress.

These candidates are running to bring new perspectives and real progressive change to communities throughout the state, so find your district and see who’s running.

State Senate Candidates

Janet St. Clair

Senate District 10

Janet St. Clair had a 30-year career as a social worker in the nonprofit sector while also serving as a foster parent, helping at-risk children find stability. She currently serves as an Island County Commissioner. Her priorities include addressing the cost of living, protecting access to health care, lowering prescription drug costs, environmental justice, public safety and protecting veterans.

Maria Beltran

Senate District 14

Maria Beltran, daughter of immigrants from Mexico, was born and raised in Yakima, and has worked in federal, state, and local government roles. She was the first in her family to graduate from high school and college and would be the first Democratic Latina Senator from her district. Her priorities include economic development, supporting veterans, and protecting access to health care.

Kari Isaacson

Senate District 16

Kari Isaacson has 45 years of public and private sector experience, from nonprofit leadership to overseeing large budgets and organizations in areas such as higher education, health care, and social services. Her journey reflects a commitment to helping families and vulnerable communities thrive. Her priorities are child care, education, health care (including addiction treatment) and public safety.

Marla Keethler

Senate District 17

The current mayor of White Salmon, WA, Marla Keethler is a journalist and mom dedicated to finding bipartisan solutions for safer communities, better schools, affordable housing and child care. Her priorities include better mental health solutions, workforce training, and protection of reproductive health care.

Andi Day

Senate District 19

Andi Day is a seasoned business and community leader and a proud, fifth-generation Washingtonian with deep roots in the 19th District. She is focused on rural economic development, education, health care, protecting natural resource-based industries, affordable housing and infrastructure. She says she wants to ensure rural voices are heard and effectively communicated.

Jessica Bateman

Senate District 22

Representative Jessica Bateman is also a health care policy analyst. Her priorities are tackling our affordable housing crisis, increasing access to equitable health care, including behavioral health, protecting our climate and environment, and increasing support for seniors. She previously served as a City Councilmember.

Tela Hogle

Senate District 22

Tela Hogle, an Olympia resident for 36 years, is an educator and business owner committed to justice for all Washingtonians. She is president of Pizza Klatch, which advocates for LGBTQ+ youth. Her deep roots in music and local education help as she champions marginalized communities’ needs. With her years of experience in advocacy and leadership, she aims to ensure equitable opportunities statewide.

Yasmin Trudeau

Senate District 27

Senator Yasmin Trudeau understands her community’s challenges. As a mother, she’s committed to Washington’s future. She champions housing solutions, community safety, business fairness, mental health access and more with a goal of building a healthier, safer community.

T'wina Nobles

Senate District 28

Senator T’wina Nobles is running for reelection to the state Senate and also serves as a University Place School Board Director. She has championed education, health care access, transit expansion, and affordable housing. As Chair of the Higher Education Committee, she prioritizes equity and safety. She’s committed to addressing community needs and ensuring a brighter future for all in the 28th District.

Liz Lovelett

Senate District 40

If re-elected, Senator Liz Lovelett says she will continue prioritizing community-driven solutions for Skagit, Whatcom and the San Juan Islands. Her focus includes clean energy, protecting natural landscapes, supporting ferry systems, and ensuring access to health care including abortion services. She also promotes affordable housing and environmental sustainability.

Lisa Wellman

Senate District 41

Senator Lisa Wellman started as a public school teacher but became a systems analyst and programmer. She still is passionate about education, and during her time in the Senate, she has served as chair of the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee, and the Mastery-based Learning Workgroup.

Annette Cleveland

Senate District 49

Born and raised in Vancouver, WA, Senator Annette Cleveland’s achievements include investments in transportation, affordable child care, and early learning. As Chair of the Senate Health Care Committee, she works to protect health care access and affordability, improve working conditions for nurses and front-line workers, and safeguard medical privacy and access to reproductive care.

State Representative Candidates

Davina Duerr

House District 1, Position 1

A former City Councilmember and longtime resident of Bothell, Representative Davina Duerr works to secure transportation access and affordability. She serves on the Transportation Committee and is committed to taking urgent action on climate change. She previously served on the Northshore Schools Foundation Board and Bothell Landmark Preservation Board.

Shelley Kloba

House District 1, Position 2

Representative Shelley Kloba’s priorities include health care access for all, consumer data privacy, reducing crime and homelessness, supporting working families, civil rights for LGBTQIA+ individuals, transportation improvements and environmental protection. She aims to collaborate for opportunity, justice and security in her district.

Natasha Hill

House District 3, Position 1

Born and raised in the Hillyard neighborhood of Spokane, Natasha Hill is the editor of The Black Lens, Spokane’s only Black newspaper. She is also an attorney who owns and runs her own law firm. Her priorities for office are public health and safety, public education, working families, protecting women’s access to health care, and environmental justice.

Victoria Hunt

House District 5, Position 1

Victoria Hunt is an Issaquah City Councilmember and environmental scientist. Her initiatives on affordable housing, environmental stewardship and public safety reflect her commitment to a sustainable, inclusive community. Her advocacy includes a Climate Action Plan and equitable community services, emphasizing proactive environmental conservation for a thriving future.

Kristiana de Leon

House District 5, Position 1

Kristiana de Leon is a two-term City Councilmember in Black Diamond. A former educator, she’s focused on fully funding schools in Washington state, access to health care as a human right, and making our taxation system fairer and more equitable.

Lisa Callan

House District 5, Position 2

Representative Lisa Callan is the co-chair of the Children & Youth Behavioral Health Work Group. She hopes to continue championing public schools, neighborhood safety, small businesses, and affordable housing. She also will address the urgency of climate change and fight to ensure Washington is a pro-choice state. Previously she served as Issaquah School Board Director.

Michaela Kelso

House District 6, Position 2

Michaela Kelso immigrated from Germany in 1993, serving 23 years in the U.S. Army, including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia. She is committed to helping her community and addressing critical issues, from housing costs to health care and environmental safety. She aims to prioritize the community’s needs and champion legislation that benefits everyone.

Pam Kohlmeier

House District 9, Position 2

Dr. Pam Kohlmeier is a dual-licensed physician and attorney in Spokane, focused on improving health care access. She is an active community volunteer and mother of four. Her legislative priorities include protecting rural health, improving access to mental health support, and addressing health care provider burnout.

Heather Koellen

House District 12, Position 1

Heather Koellen is an ICU nurse in a level-one trauma center as well as a member of the King County Board of Health. She is running for office because first responders need leadership in Olympia. Her legislative priorities include education funding, affordable housing, protecting women’s access to health care, health care affordability, the environment and workers’ rights.

Chelsea Dimas

House District 14, Position 1

Chelsea Dimas has over a decade of public and private sector experience. The daughter of immigrant farmworkers from Mexico, and committed to community service, she founded RAÍCES Yakima, organized Sunnyside PRIDE, and served as a WA State Human Rights Commission Commissioner. Her priorities include affordable housing, neighborhood safety, and community well-being, including strong worker protections.

Ana Ruiz Kennedy

House District 14, Position 2

Ana Ruiz Kennedy, born in Mexico and living in Pasco since 2009, is a dedicated mom whose long record of community service includes volunteering for the Pasco School District and advocating for educational initiatives. Her legislative priorities are creating living-wage jobs, supporting local businesses, tackling the fentanyl crisis, and strengthening health care access.

Linda Gunshefski

House District 16, Position 1

Dr. Linda Gunshefski, an ophthalmologist and former small business owner in Walla Walla, has served on the YMCA board and is a Paul Harris Fellow at Rotary. If elected, she aims to address housing shortages, bolster medical and mental health services, protect women’s health care, promote public education, and tackle climate challenges.

Terri Niles

House District 17, Position 2

Terri Niles of Vancouver, WA, has worked as an ICU nurse and community volunteer for more than 25 years. Her legislative priorities include affordable housing, economic development, education and workforce development, improving access to health care and public safety.

Lillian Ortiz-Self

House District 21, Position 2

Representative Lillian Ortiz-Self champions equitable investments in education and career training. As she’s also a school counselor, she advocates for community health, safety, and gun violence prevention. Her goals include a thriving economy with small business support, worker protections and clean infrastructure, and a fair and affordable future for all.

Beth Doglio

House District 22, Position 1

Representative Beth Doglio is a strong advocate for reproductive rights, clean energy, and affordable housing. She previously worked at Climate Solutions and now serves on the board of the Quixote Community, South Sound YMCA, and the PARC Foundation. She strives to continue her work in environmental justice and health care protections.

Lisa Parshley

House District 22, Position 2

Lisa Parshley is an Olympia City Councilmember, veterinarian, and small business owner. Her legislative priorities include tackling homelessness and affordable housing, the opioid crisis and climate change. On the city council, Dr. Parshley helped develop Thurston County’s first Human Rights Commission and extend Olympia’s sanctuary city status to include reproductive health care.

Tarra Simmons

House District 23, Position 1

Representative Tarra Simmons is an advocate for families and champion of bipartisan solutions. She supports health care, housing and justice reforms, with a focus on behavioral health and small business support. Her goal is a stronger Kitsap community for all.

Brynn Felix

House District 23, Position 2

Brynn Felix is an attorney, organizer and lobbyist with the Washington ACLU. She played a key role in advancing marriage equality, the Washington Voting Rights Act, and criminal justice reform. As a Japanese American and member of the LGBTQ+ community, she knows the importance of representation and equal rights. Her priorities include health care access, education, housing and climate justice.

Shellie Willis

House District 25, Position 2

Shellie Willis, a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Army and a leader in workforce development, aims to prioritize community safety through partnerships with businesses, leaders and law enforcement. She wants to listen to community concerns, advocate for fiscal responsibility to lower costs, and support sustainable development, veterans’ rights and economic growth via small business support and job creation initiatives.

Tiffiny Mitchell

House District 26, Position 2

Tiffiny Mitchell is from a proud union family and has worked in essential services including child welfare and the judicial system. Her priorities are affordable housing, increased school funding, and greater healthcare access. Previously, she was a state legislator in Oregon from 2019-2021, voting to make historic investments in education and create a Paid Family and Medical Leave program.

Laurie Jinkins

House District 27, Position 1

Representative Laurie Jinkins is the first woman and first lesbian Speaker of the Washington House. She began her career in litigation for the state Attorney General’s Office, fighting child abuse and neglect. Her priorities include affordable housing, public health, mental health services. She currently serves on the boards of the Tacoma Rotary 8 and Fair Housing Washington.

Mari Leavitt

House District 28, Position 1

Representative Mari Leavitt is a community advocate who has delivered bipartisan solutions for families and businesses. She prioritizes safe communities, affordable housing and education. With a strong commitment to our military and workforce education, she’s dedicated to local jobs and opportunity. She plans to continue building a future of prosperity and security together.

Melanie Morgan

House District 29, Position 1

Representative Melanie Morgan has fought for her community with equity at the forefront. She has secured funding for homelessness solutions and championed legislation for housing equity and civil rights. Her goals are to focus on economic opportunity, healthcare, housing and public safety.

Sharlett Mena

House District 29, Position 2

Representative Sharlett Mena is a first-generation Mexican-American who’s committed to advancing policies that support working families, create living-wage jobs, and protect our environment. From worker’s rights to housing access and health care, including abortion access, she prioritizes equity and community well-being.

Jamila Taylor

House District 30, Position 1

Representative Jamila Taylor is an attorney whose priorities include helping families and small businesses, investing in communities and economic development, expanding access to behavioral health care, and ensuring fair, equitable and accessible public safety. She serves as Chair of the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee and the Developmental Disability Advocacy Caucus.

Kristine Reeves

House District 30, Position 2

Representative Kristine Reeves says she want to continue to prioritize progressive legislative policies including paid family leave and affordable child care. With a focus on job training and lower taxes, she’s committed to representing her community and solving problems.

Sara Sutterfield

House District 31, Position 1

Sara Sutterfield is dedicated to unity and progressive ideals. She champions accessible mental health services, inclusive education, sustainable environmental stewardship, and robust small-town infrastructure. As a devoted community member, mom of four, and advocate for the Carbon River Corridor Cooperative Action Plan, she says she believes in collaborative action and creative solutions.

Cindy Ryu

House District 32, Position 1

Representative Cindy Ryu prioritizes education, public safety, and economic development. With a focus on infrastructure and environmental protection, she advocates for affordable housing and support for local businesses. She chairs the Innovation, Community & Economic Development and Veterans Committee.

Lauren Davis

House District 32, Position 2

Representative Lauren Davis hopes to continue her work at the intersection of behavioral health, housing and public safety. While in office, she has authored landmark legislation to combat fentanyl and expand recovery services statewide, spearheaded the creation of a behavioral health crisis center, and secured millions of dollars in services for domestic violence survivors.

Tina Orwall

House District 33, Position 1

Representative Tina Orwall is dedicated to advocating for rights and safety. Her achievements include leading efforts on rape kit testing and implementing the 988 suicide lifeline. If reelected, she’ll focus on affordable housing, health care, child care, education, gun violence prevention and climate action.

Mia Su-Ling Gregerson

House District 33, Position 2

Representative Mia Su-Ling Gregerson has served as Chair of the House Members of Color Caucus, serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, and is on the board of the Washington State Investment Board. Her previous public service includes as member and mayor of the SeaTac City Council, spearheading a $15 minimum wage initiative.

Emily Alvarado

House District 34, Position 1

Representative Emily Alvarado is a strong advocate for affordable housing and reproductive rights. She is Vice President of the Pacific Northwest Market for Enterprise and strives to create and preserve affordable homes. She was previously the Director of the City of Seattle Office of Housing. In addition to housing, she says her priorities are universal health care, child care, education and more.

Julia Reed

House District 36, Position 1

Representative Julia Reed is a Seattle local seeking to continue her work on affordable housing, workforce development, educational opportunity access, and the creative economy. She has spent nearly two decades as a public servant at the federal, state, and local level.

Liz Berry

House District 36, Position 2

Representative Liz Berry is a champion of civil justice, reproductive justice and climate justice. Notably a survivor of the 2011 shooting attack during a constituent event for former Arizona U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, Liz Berry is a fierce fighter against gun violence. She says she hopes to continue advocating for working families and progressive values.

Sharon Tomiko Santos

House District 37, Position 1

Raised in South Seattle, her home for more than 50 years, Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos’s areas of interest are civil rights, economic justice, and public education. She’s committed to eliminating inequalities in public schools by focusing on student agency and delivering deeper learning experiences.

Mary Fosse

House District 38, Position 2

Representative Mary Fosse is a strong proponent of the rights of workers, families, and the most vulnerable. Experiencing houselessness and poverty firsthand, Mary’s top priorities are affordable housing, supporting families, and creating safe communities. Her public service record includes environmental justice, public art, and cultural and community events.

Debra Lekanoff

House District 40, Position 1

Representative Debra Lekanoff is the only Native American woman in the Washington House. A Skagit Valley resident for 20 years, she’s worked at federal, tribal, state and local levels of government. She prioritizes a strong workforce, quality education, support for unions, health care for all, saving salmon, the right to choose, addressing the housing and homelessness crisis, safe schools, and gun responsibility.

Tana Senn

House District 41, Position 1

Representative Tana Senn is a fierce advocate for working families, mental health, environmental justice, and education equity. She is the co-founder of the Moms Caucus, a group of legislator parents committed to supporting Washington’s families. She began her work in politics advocating for road safety and gun responsibility.

My-Linh Thai

House District 41, Position 2

Representative My-Linh Thai, who emigrated from Vietnam at 15, is the first refugee elected to the Washington House. She is the Deputy Majority Leader of the House Democratic Caucus and serves on the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee, Finance Committee, and Healthcare & Wellness Committee. Her priorities are education equity and access, affordability, and public health.

Janet Melman

House District 42, Position 1

Janet Melman is a healthcare and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, helping shape policy through the Governor’s LGBTQ Commission. If elected, she’d be the first trans woman in the Washington legislature. Her priorities are infrastructure, protecting LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, helping small businesses thrive in a climate-mitigating economy, expanding health care access, and lowering the cost of living.

Alicia Rule

House District 42, Position 1

Representative Alicia Rule’s roots in Whatcom County go back generations. Her career as a mental health counselor informs her work in the legislature, where she has focused on improving health care access, cutting taxes for small businesses, and increasing housing affordability. She also sponsored the only bill to protect access to IVF.

Nicole Macri

House District 43, Position 1

Representative Nicole Macri is vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee and serves on the Healthcare and Wellness Committee and LGBTQ Caucus. Macri champions affordable housing, expanding behavioral and mental health services, protecting abortion access, and tackling climate change.

Brandy Donaghy

House District 44, Position 1

A U.S. Navy veteran and longtime community organizer, Representative Brandy Donaghy has passed bills on public safety and health. She is passionate about public service and aims to prioritize housing affordability, education, infrastructure and the environment.

April Berg

House District 44, Position 2

Representative April Berg is a former School Board Director whose legislative record includes investing in students, infrastructure, transportation, and public safety. She will continue to work to expand affordable child care, address the fentanyl crisis, and protect reproductive rights. She is the first Black woman to chair the House Finance Committee.

Melissa Demyan

House District 45, Position 2

Melissa Demyan is an experienced labor organizer, currently with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, who is running to make real change in her district. Her legislative priorities include fully funding public schools, protecting women’s reproductive rights, promoting affordable housing and health care, and limiting climate change.

Darya Farivar

House District 46, Position 2

Representative Darya Farivar is a child of immigrants who has lived in the 46th District her whole life. She has served as a disability rights advocate focused on the intersection of behavioral health, housing, and the criminal legal system. She works to make sure those who are underrepresented have a voice at the table.

Debra Entenman

House District 47, Position 1

Representative Debra Entenman says because she has been surrounded by powerful women throughout her life, she is striving to create the same supportive community for others. She aspires to strengthen public schools, grow the economy in support of small businesses, relieve property taxes, and form better transportation systems. Debra also serves on the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees.

Vandana Slatter

House District 48, Position 1

Representative Vandana Slatter is an advocate for education accessibility, reproductive rights, public safety, climate action, and health care access for all. She says she will continue to champion housing and transportation solutions, affordability for seniors, and opportunities for students and workers. She also previously served on the Bellevue City Council.

Amy Walen

House District 48, Position 2

Representative Amy Walen’s priorities are safety, housing, and behavioral health. She’s proud to have voted for investments in immediate shelter and permanent housing, training and resources for law enforcement, and expanded care for substance abuse treatment and youth mental health. Her prior public service experience includes Kirkland City Councilmember and Kirkland mayor.

Sharon Wylie

House District 49, Position 1

Representative Sharon Wylie has more than 30 years of leadership and management experience in business, nonprofits and government. She has sponsored legislation to replace the I-5 bridge, protect health care access, provide property tax relief, and improve mental health and addiction resources. She supports strong education and technical training programs.

Monica Stonier

House District 49, Position 2

Representative Monica Jurado Stonier currently serves as House Majority Leader and spearheads issues such as labor rights, public education, and health care access. She is the first person of color to serve in the 17th and 49th Districts. Monica advocates for abortion access, more funding for special education, and affordable housing and child care.