Why are you running for Legislative District 30 – State Representative Position 1?

I am running to continue my work in the Legislature, addressing our shared concerns about homelessness, affordable housing, public safety, health care, and inclusive economic development. As Washingtonians, we must continue to strive for a state in which everyone, regardless of their social identity, has the same opportunity to succeed.

Equity represents the pursuit of justice for all people, and it is what I have strived for as a legislator for the past four years and will continue to strive for upon my re-election. In an equitable society, all members of the community have the same opportunity to thrive and prosper and no one member is advantaged or disadvantaged over another. Principles of fairness, justice, and inclusion remain central to the spirit of this community.

I’m proud of the experience and perspective I have brought to the Legislature, reflecting my deep commitment to public service and positive change that works for our whole community. I will continue to promote policies which expand opportunities to historically disadvantaged communities and racial groups, such as supporting universal health care efforts for all Washingtonians, increasing access to apprenticeships and other post-secondary education opportunities, and expanding access to affordable housing.

The 30th District constituency includes the 5th most diverse zip code in the nation (98003). What are some actions you take to stay connected to these many different cultural communities so that you can effectively represent everyone?

I am proud of the diversity of our district and community. I work everyday to ensure that I am uplifting the diverse voices of our district by engaging with various communities across the district. I pride myself on building and nurturing relationships with organizations and people who work to make our community a better place. Throughout the legislative session, I meet with local leaders, community members, and various cultural organizations and groups to get a better understanding of current needs and priorities. I also attend events, meetings, and gatherings across the district to celebrate, embrace, and uplift our cultural differences.

My community involvement for the last 25 years has included organizations such as BlackPast.org, Urban League, Loren Miller Bar Association, Highline College Foundation, Federal Way Human Services Commission and the Washington State Women’s Commission, among others. Community nonprofits like El Centro De La Raza, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Girl Scouts, and the National Alliance for Mental Illness have recognized my efforts to support the community.

As a former legal aid attorney primarily representing domestic violence survivors and other crime victims, I assisted immigrants, LGBTQIA+, and I have professional clients, victims (immigrant, women, LGBTQIA+) and men seeking to resolve their family law issues.

In the Legislature, I currently serve as the chair of the House Civil Rights and Judiciary committee. I also serve on the Housing and the Human Services and Early Learning Committees. I expanded my outreach to ensure a broader community of voices are included in the development of legislation.

What will you do in the Legislature to address homelessness and affordable housing in your district?

As the former Vice Chair of the Housing, Human Services and Veterans Committee along with my prior work in nonprofit leadership with tangible experience building public-private partnerships, I have a unique perspective on this issue. To urgently address homelessness and affordable housing, we must rapidly expand the housing supply at all levels.

I support increased density on my own block. In fact, as the caregiver to my mother and brother, we are already three adults living in a single family unit — we couldn’t afford to do it any other way. Local control over zoning and density ideally helps to maintain the character of a community and management of municipal resources, while planning for future growth and providing for expanding options within the entire housing ecosystem. Unfortunately, we know that isn’t always the case.

I understand the pressures facing local families, and the need to maximize resources and deliver services efficiently. In Olympia, I will continue the fight to ensure every family — regardless of employment status and income — can keep a roof over their head and access critical services, without fear of gentrification. Many people with developmental disabilities and their families, the elderly, and other residents with fixed incomes are unable to keep up with the rising housing rents.

I have sponsored legislation to increase housing supports, increase access to first-time homeownership, expand tenant protections, clarify landlord-tenant privacy in leasing, and secured millions in funding for workforce housing in the 30th District.

What do you think are some root causes of crime in our area and how do you intend to address them in the Legislature?

There is significant disagreement over the exact root cause of crime and the strategies to address the conditions leading to the problems in our area. As there are multiple types of crimes there are and can be multiple root causes– all of which deserve additional research to better understand. Strategies that include prevention, intervention, accountability and re-entry in the public safety continuum have proven to be effective in our community and beyond.

Expanding economic opportunities and ensuring the safety-net is working is vital to community stability. My commitment to expanding economic opportunities has resulted in the millions I have helped to secure to launch comprehensive youth violence intervention services in South King County and beyond. No single South King County community can make these investments alone. Teens routinely ask for youth employment opportunities, mentorship, pre-apprenticeship, creative outlets, mental health support and other options.

As a State Representative, I’ve also secured $1 million for law enforcement, prosecutors, and criminal defense to establish programs to address organized theft redirecting folks into treatment, housing and other services while focusing on holding crime-ring leaders accountable to unlawful behaviors. Additionally, I’ve secured millions for domestic and sexual assault survivors to help them with their civil legal needs, especially as a means to escape their abusers. I’ve secured seed funding for a crisis intervention center in our district so that law enforcement has a place to take a person suffering from a mental health crisis without having to be taken to jail or the emergency room.

What are your main qualifications and experience that will help you succeed in this position?

I have served a diverse population as a community member, attorney, small-business owner, and State Representative. My experiences in nonprofit governance, establishing public-private partnerships and collaborations, fiscal oversight, and managing multiple publicly funded programs have given me an unparalleled ability to provide our district with the funding and leadership needed to address many of our longstanding issues. As a State Representative, I serve as the chair of the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee and serve on the Housing Committee and the Human Services, Youth and Early Learning Committee, and the Developmental Advocacy Caucus, and as the First Vice Chair of the Members of Color Caucus. My experience in the legislator provides me with insight, knowledge, and relationships across the isle to be able to uplift the voices and priorities of the 30th in Olympia.