2024 Primary Election Endorsements

Born and raised in Washington’s 6th Congressional District, Emily Randall is the proud product of a union, working-class family–like many in the 6th District. Emily is fueled by her family’s experiences. When her sister Olivia, born with complex disabilities, received access to newly expanded Medicaid, Emily became a fierce advocate for quality, affordable healthcare. And as the first in her family to attend a four-year college, Emily knows the importance of education that aligns with the community’s needs and leads to family-wage jobs. Emily’s legislative track record proves she doesn’t just talk the talk, she gets results and wins the toughest races. In 2018 and 2022, Emily won the most competitive state senate district in Washington by focusing on the most important issues and her track record of success. In Congress, Emily will fight for affordable and accessible healthcare, including reproductive freedom for all; common-sense gun reform; a just transition to a green economy; and affordable education, job training, and apprenticeship programs. Emily’s ready to go beyond partisan politics and focus on the practical solutions that address the dynamic needs of the 6th District.

Visit Emily Randall’s website to learn more.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal represents Washington’s 7th Congressional District, which encompasses most of Seattle and its surrounding areas. She is the first South Asian American woman ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, one of just two dozen naturalized citizens currently in Congress, and one of only 87 women of color to ever serve there. She is the proud Chair of the 100+ member Congressional Progressive Caucus and also serves on several key committees, including the House Judiciary Committee (where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement) and on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. She has spent over 20 years leading organizing and advocacy efforts for women’s and immigrant rights and racial and economic justice.

Pramila Jayapal is the founder of OneAmerica, our sister organization, and an integral member of our OneAmerica family. She has been a champion of immigrant rights in Congress, and we look forward to continuing to co-govern with her to create a thriving home for immigrants in Washington!

Visit Pramila Jayapal’s website to learn more.

Bob Ferguson is a fourth-generation Washingtonian and son of a public-school teacher and Boeing employee. He has lived and worked on both sides of the mountains, starting his legal career in Spokane. As Attorney General, he takes on the toughest fights on behalf of all Washingtonians against powerful interests – and wins. He’s been steadfast in standing up to powerful interests, achieving big victories for Washington families.

Bob Ferguson has stood for immigrant and refugee families by fighting against the Trump-era Muslim Ban, defending DACA in court, ensuring families are together and free, and more.

Visit Bob Ferguson’s website to learn more.

State Senator Manka Dhingra is the deputy majority leader of the Washington State Senate, a 20-year Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor, award-winning behavioral health and community safety leader, and mom. In the State Senate, Manka has led efforts to protect survivors of trafficking and of sexual and intimate partner violence, strengthen gun laws, as well as advance criminal justice reforms and policies rooted in her experience as a prosecutor and advocate for behavioral health innovations. As Attorney General, Manka is committed to protecting access to reproductive rights, safeguarding worker rights, holding polluters accountable, addressing the epidemic of gun violence, and improving the lives of every Washingtonian. Manka received her JD from the University of Washington School of Law and her BA in Political Science and History from the University of California at Berkeley. A native of India, she will be the first immigrant, first person of color, and only second woman to serve as Washington State Attorney General.

Visit Manka Dhingra’s website to learn more.

Rebecca Saldaña is a driven leader with over 20 years of experience in non­‐profit and government leadership, program management, and bridge-building across industries, communities, and sectors for successful outcomes. She believes that every person and every family deserves a healthy affordable place to live, a family-wage job, and a say in how our communities grow and our environment is cared for. As a State Senator, she has successfully sponsored dozens of other bills that prioritize the well-being of immigrants, workers, families, and everyday Washingtonians. Some highlights include: the HEAL Act, the first statewide law to address the disproportionate exposure Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color face, along with low-income communities, to environmental hazards; the Washington Voting Rights Act, which removes barriers and expands access to our democracy for historically marginalized and underrepresented communities; and dozens of other bills that prioritize the well-being of workers, families, and everyday Washingtonians.

Rebecca Saldaña has been a long-term champion of immigrant rights, working with OneAmerica’s family of organizations and immigrant leaders to pass pivotal policies affecting our communities. We are proud to endorse her in her candidacy for Commissioner of Public Lands.

Visit Rebecca Saldaña’s website to learn more.

Born and raised in Yakima, Maria brings a wealth of experience (both professional and lived) to her race for Washington State Senate. Whether it is memories of helping her parents at pick crops or as the youngest ever Board President for One America, Maria is ready to win her election and then hit the ground running as the next State Senator for the 14th LD. The oldest of three, Maria is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and agricultural workers, who taught her the importance of hard work and getting an education. After Maria became the first in her family to graduate from college, she returned to Yakima and continued her career as a community organizer; and over the last decade, she has helped candidates up and down the ballot across the entire state get elected and help constituents, including U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier and State Rep. Debra Entenman, recently completed AgForestry, a leadership program for individuals in the agriculture, forestry, and natural resources industries. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Maria believes everyone deserves to feel safe, seen and loved. Maria’s looking forward to continuing to serve her community in the Washington State Senate.

Maria is the former Board President of our sister-organization, OneAmerica and a long-time champion of immigrant rights. We are proud to endorse her in her race for Senator.

Visit Maria Beltran’s website to learn more.

Chelsea Dimas is a longtime servant leader, communications professional, and proud daughter of Indigenous immigrants from México (Nahua and Purépecha) with a long family history of hard-working campesinos. Chelsea has spent most of her life fighting for her gente (people) by being on the frontlines with them, demanding rights and protections for farmworkers, immigrants, reproductive freedom, the LGBTQ+ community, and other vulnerable populations. From her home in the Yakima Valley to our state legislature and across the nation, Chelsea strongly believes that everyone deserves a seat at the table to have a say in the decision-making process. With more equitable policies and diverse representation, she believes we can truly create a future where ALL Washingtonians thrive.

Visit Chelsea Dimas’ website to learn more.

Jamila E. Taylor is a State Representative for Washington’s 30th legislative district, where she serves as the Chair of the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee, Chair of the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Caucus, and Vice Chair of the House Members of Color Caucus. She has successfully secured millions of dollars in expanded state resources for refugee and immigrant populations. Outside of her legislative duties, Rep. Taylor is a staff attorney with Purpose Dignity Action (PDA). She provides civil legal services to recently unhoused individuals, her work focuses on family law, housing, and debt relief. Rep. Taylor currently serves as a board member for BlackPast.org, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter. She graduated from University of Oregon School of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence and obtained her BA in Sociology from Virginia State University.

Visit Jamila Taylor’s website to learn more.

Emily is an affordable housing leader, a mom of public school kids, and a committed advocate for healthy communities and a fair economy. For more than a decade, Emily has worked collaboratively to create affordable housing throughout our region. As an executive with a national nonprofit, Emily supports programmatic, financing and policy solutions to create more affordable housing and early learning facilities. Previously, as Director of the City of Seattle Office of Housing, Emily oversaw citywide housing resources and worked to address displacement, protect renters, and expand homeownership. An attorney and former community organizer, Emily has fought for reproductive justice, equitable community development, and solutions to end poverty. Emily is the daughter of two public school educators, who instilled in her a deep commitment to public service. She received her JD from the University of Washington School of Law, where she was a Gates Public Service Scholar, and her BA from Scripps College. She lives in West Seattle with her husband, kids, and rescue dog. In her first term as State Representative (34 LD), Emily championed broad-based economic security for Washingtonians. She led legislation to stop excessive rent increases, improve access to childcare, help vulnerable seniors and youth in foster care keep their public benefits, and strengthen health care access for seniors and people with disabilities. She served as Vice Chair of the Housing and Local Government Committees, Vice Chair of the Members of Color Caucus, and member of the inaugural Latino Democratic Caucus.

Visit Emily Alvarado’s website to learn more. 

Joe Fitzgibbon has served as a state representative since 2010. Before that time, he was a legislative staffer in the House of Representatives and a member of the Burien Planning Commission. During his time in office, he has prioritized the fight against climate change, expanding transportation choices including transit and safe walking and biking, improving housing affordability, progressive tax reform, and smart budget choices that invest in the people of our state.

Visit Joe Fitzgibbon’s website to learn more.

State Representative My-Linh Thai (D, LD 41, Position 2) is a former Bellevue School District President, a healthcare professional, and an award-winning PTSA parent who is committed to improving education, opportunity, and quality of life for all Washingtonians. As a State Representative, My-Linh has championed and sponsored legislation to protect reproductive care, provide healthcare coverage for undocumented people, prioritize food access and stability for students. She is serving as House Democratic Caucus Deputy Majority Leader.

Visit My-Linh Thai’s website to learn more.

Vandana Slatter has proudly served the 48th LD in the State House since 2017, fighting for progressive legislation to increase access to higher education and career training, address the climate crisis, increase affordable housing, and create an inclusive and innovative economy for all. Before her work in the Legislature, Vandana served on the Bellevue City Council and the State Board of Pharmacy, and she is a past member of SEIU 775. She has a doctorate in clinical pharmacy and worked for over 20 years as a medical scientist in various roles at leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. She also received a Masters of Public Administration from the Evans School at the University of Washington.

Throughout her career and volunteer efforts, Vandana has championed access to medicines, innovation, education, and the opportunity to serve in public office, especially for women and BIPOC leaders. In the legislature, she has led legislation to address climate change, expand healthcare access, and invest in transportation solutions, mental health, housing, and meaningful opportunities for students and workers. She has been named Washington’s STEM Legislator of the Year in 2020 and Washington Conservation Voters’ 2020 Legislator of the Year. She has also been recognized since 2021, for 3 years running, as the Washington Student Association’s Legislator of the Year.

Visit Vandana Slatter’s website to learn more.

Darya Farivar (she/they) is proud to serve as the State Representative for the 46th legislative district from Lake City. She is the youngest member of the House of Representatives and first ever Middle Eastern woman elected to the legislature. As the daughter of immigrants who fled Iran because of the Iranian Revolution she keeps her heritage close to heart looking for every opportunity to uplift and recognize her community. In the legislature, her priority is on lifting the voices of those with direct lived experience and addressing the intersection of behavioral health, homelessness, and the criminal legal system. Darya believes deeply in disability justice and works towards this in all her legislation and in the interim as the Community Engagement Manager at Disability Rights Washington. Off the clock, she serves on the board of directors at the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability, volunteers for Peyvand a cultural non-profit, and enjoys spending time with her partner and dog, Chacha.

Visit Darya Farivar’s website to learn more.