VOTE411 Voter Guide

As a former Issaquah City Councilmember, State Representative, and current Senator, I bring a track record of collaborative, evidence-based policymaking to meet the needs of the 5th Legislative District. As a working mother, I understand the realities families face, from affording childcare to accessing quality public education, and carry these experiences into every policy room.

From investing in public safety to advocating for housing affordability and green energy, I’ve worked to ensure our region remains a place for families to thrive. With a PhD in ecology and experience at Breakthrough Energy analyzing the electric grid, I bring a technical background and vision to the challenges of climate change. Washington’s future depends on pairing environmental stewardship with economic opportunity, and I will lead with these pillars.

And as a proud supporter of labor, voting rights, and civic engagement, I share the League of Women Voters’ commitment to inclusive governance.

The legislature must urgently address housing affordability and economic inequality, public safety and behavioral health, and fully supporting our public education systems so all students can thrive. At the center of all three is a commitment to equity and opportunity, especially for women and working families. Rising housing and childcare costs are top concerns I hear across the 5th District, and I’ll continue to support policies that expand access to housing folks can afford, and invest in childcare and after-school programs. I’ll work with first responders to strengthen preventative behavioral health services and respond to the growing threat of wildfires. Safety includes schools where all students feel valued. I support a clean energy economy with union jobs and pathways for women to lead, and I’ll act boldly to address climate change. A strong democracy depends on equity, access, and representation.

Affordability in general and housing affordability in particular are urgent issues facing our district, and I’ve consistently prioritized it in the Legislature. I support increasing the housing supply at all income levels, including affordable and middle-income options. That means working with cities to allow “missing middle” housing like duplexes, triplexes and buildings near transit to support walkable, connected communities. When we plan housing and transit together, we expand opportunities, especially for working parents balancing childcare and work. I also support renter protections against out of control rent increases. No one should be denied housing because of race, gender, family status, or income. Affordability of housing is also important for our seniors. As a working mom, I know how hard it is to find stable, affordable housing while managing childcare and other costs. I’ll keep advocating for policies to support our community.

I am proud of the work I did last session as State Representative, to address the priorities of the district, from local roads and bridges to affordable housing and support for local schools. One of the most important things I can do in the State Senate is fight for our region’s fair share of investments and the conditions that support thriving businesses and quality jobs for our families. That includes housing, access to childcare, transit and transportation solutions, including Highway 18 safety improvements, and building a skilled workforce to meet the jobs employers require. Furthermore, I plan to use our public funding to finance jobs in housing creation, transportation improvement, and green energy, so that we can support our local workforce. I’ll continue to be a voice for practical, meaningful change that moves the needle but that also takes into account existing limitations in infrastructure and technology as we transition to a clean energy future.

I believe we can balance the right to own guns while acknowledging the serious epidemic of gun violence, particularly when it shows up in our schools. As a parent, schools in my district have had evacuations due to gun threat and we also recently lost a student due to gun violence. In the Senate, I will focus on common sense gun safety policies, to ensure no more lives are lost to senseless, preventable gun violence, such as when a child accidentally gets ahold of a gun. Schools must also have more behavioral health services so students get the help they need. Through my firsthand experience as a parent and conversations with students and school staff, I will fight to make schools and our communities free from the fear of gun violence so that our youth and families can thrive.

As a former legislator, school board member, and current teacher, I’ve built a track record of solving real problems – from the boardroom to the classroom to the Capitol. Voters deserve leaders who don’t just talk, but deliver practical solutions. Whether it's balancing budgets, improving education, or addressing affordability, I bring the skills, relationships, and experience to make government work better for everyone. That means listening, finding common ground, and getting things done. I’ve done it before and I plan to return to Olympia and do it again.

- Fixing our K-12 education system to better serve students and support educators. - Addressing affordability, especially housing and tax burdens that are pushing families out. - Restoring trust in government by increasing accountability and improving how public services are delivered.

I believe in empowering parents with more choices in their child’s education and ensuring schools are accountable for delivering results. That means funding should follow the student, and schools should be rewarded not just for strong performance, but for demonstrated academic improvement. If a school is making measurable gains with limited resources, that shows a high return on investment, and those are the schools we should be supporting. Our focus should be on outcomes that reflect real progress for students, not just maintaining the status quo.

Public infrastructure is vital to a strong economy and safe communities, and I’ll prioritize maintaining and upgrading transportation, water, broadband, and schools. But we also need to improve efficiency and stop waste. Too often, funds are diverted by bureaucracy, like the carbon tax, which acts like a gas tax but isn’t restricted to roads. We must restore transparency, close loopholes, and ensure funds go where they’re intended and needed.

We need to take serious steps to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals and those with severe mental health issues. That means supporting strong background checks, reasonable waiting periods, and giving law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on illegal guns and violent crime.

At the same time, we must address Washington’s growing mental health crisis. Too many people are falling through the cracks without access to care. If we want to reduce tragedies and protect our communities, we need serious investment in mental health services, early intervention, and long-term treatment options.