EMILYs List Announces New Endorsements for Washington State’s Upcoming 2017 Elections

September 28, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today EMILY's List, the nation's largest resource for women in politics, released a list of newly endorsed candidates for Washington State’s upcoming 2017 elections.

“We are seeing growing enthusiasm for women’s leadership because Washington State families deserve people with commonsense voices at the table who can get things done,” said EMILYs List Vice President of Campaigns Lucinda Guinn. “This strong, diverse group of pro-choice, Democratic women are all fierce advocates for Washington State families and communities in their own right – and EMILYs List is proud to support these change-makers who are moving Washington State forward.”

The EMILY's List endorsements include: Senator Rebecca Saldaña (SD-37), Senator Patty Kuderer (SD-48), Rep. Vandana Slatter (HD-48), Councilwoman Lorena González (Seattle City Council), Karen Hardy (SD-07), Michelle Rylands (SD-31), and Teresa Mosqueda (Seattle City Council).

Earlier this year, EMILYs List was proud to endorse former Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor Manka Dhingra for the upcoming special election in state Senate District 45.

Below are background biographies on each recently endorsed candidate:

Senator Rebecca Saldaña: SD-37 Special Election

Senator Rebecca Saldaña is a progressive leader with decades of experience fighting for economic, social, and racial justice. Representing the 37th District in the state Senate, Rebecca is an advocate for our communal values: inclusion, dignity, and justice for all. She was raised in a union household in Seattle and took those lessons from growing up to her career as a union organizer. She has organized with Oregon’s farmworkers’ union, PCUN, and SEIU Local 6; and now as a state senator for the 37th District continues to work on behalf of immigrant rights, a fair economy, and a more equitable society. Rebecca was appointed to the state senate in December and lives in Rainier Beach with her husband David and their family.

Senator Patty Kuderer: SD-48 Special Election

Senator Patty Kuderer has worked as a prosecutor, city attorney, and personal injury and discrimination lawyer. She is an advocate for open government, and became well-versed in public records laws when working as a city attorney, an area she still practices in today. Patty has a long history of volunteering for the Bellevue-area schools and working on issues affecting women and families. In January 2017 Patty was appointed to the Senate, where she helped pass family and medical leave, as well as legislation allowing women to obtain a 12 months’ supply of birth control at once. Patty has lived in the Bellevue area for nearly 20 years, where she raised her children, Michael and Emily.

Representative Vandana Slatter: HD-48 Special Election

Dr. Vandana Slatter is a former Bellevue City Councilmember who has worked in the biotech and health care industries. She was appointed to state house earlier this year, after working in the biotech industry for over 20 years. Vandana has served on boards for local organizations, including the Washington State Board of Pharmacy and NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. As a city councilmember Vandana worked on transportation, public safety, and economic development. She lives in Bellevue with her husband and son.

Councilmember Lorena González: Seattle City Council

Seattle City Councilmember Lorena González is a progressive leader and champion for women, older workers, low-wage workers, and people of color. Her work, both on the Seattle City Council and as an attorney and civil rights leader, reflects her values of creating a more progressive and just society. The daughter of immigrants, Lorena put herself through college and law school, becoming a nationally-recognized attorney. She has been recognized for her exceptional leadership and devoted service to civil rights.

Karen Hardy: SD-07 Special Election

Karen Hardy is a native Washingtonian and Head Teamster at the Rocking K Ranch in Deer Park, WA. After attending Clark College in Vancouver, WA, she worked for Delta Airlines for almost 20 years. An avid outdoorswoman, Karen is committed to promoting and protecting Washington State's resources and public lands. She will also fight to stabilize the WA state health care market and cultivate innovative partnerships to drive economic development. She and her husband live in Valley, WA.

Michelle Rylands: SD-31 Special Election

Michelle Rylands has been a longtime leader in her community. A U.S. Army veteran, a 911 dispatcher, a Teamster, and a former small business owner, Michelle understands the value of and need for hard work to strengthen our communities. Her involvement in politics began through local, regional, and state-wide PTA leadership, advocating for the funding needed to ensure all students could access our public education system.

Teresa Mosqueda: Seattle City Council

Teresa Mosqueda is a third-generation Mexican American and the daughter of educators. Teresa is a proven and effective policy leader. She fought to ensure health coverage for all Washingtonians under the Affordable Care Act and led the campaign to raise the statewide minimum wage and pass paid sick and safe leave. On the Seattle City Council, Teresa will work to ensure every resident shares in Seattle's prosperity and continue to fight for the rights and opportunities of all people.

EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $500 million to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates – making them one of the most successful political organizations ever. Our grassroots community of over five million members helps Democratic women wage competitive campaigns – and win. We recruit and train candidates, support strong campaigns, research the issues that impact women and families, and turn out women voters. Since our founding in 1985, we have helped elect 116 women to the House, 23 to the Senate, 12 governors, and over 800 to state and local office. Forty percent of the candidates EMILYs List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color. Since the 2016 election, thousands of women and counting have reached out to us about running for office. To harness this energy, EMILYs List has launched Run to Win, an unprecedented effort to get more women to run at the local, state, and national levels.