Marilyn Strickland

Marilyn Strickland is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Washington's 10th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she took office on January 3, 2021. Strickland is notable for being the first member of Congress with both Korean and African-American heritage, as well as the first African-American representative elected from Washington state. Her election marked a significant milestone in the representation of diverse backgrounds in U.S. politics.

Early life and career

Marilyn Strickland was born on September 25, 1962, in Seoul, South Korea. She is the daughter of Inmin Kim, a Korean national, and Willie Strickland, an African-American serviceman. In 1967, her family relocated to Tacoma, Washington, following her father's military assignment at Fort Lewis. Strickland grew up in the South End neighborhood of Tacoma and attended Mount Tahoma High School, where she began to develop her leadership skills and community engagement.

Strickland pursued higher education at the University of Washington, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business. She later obtained a Master of Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University, further enhancing her qualifications for a career in public service and business. After completing her undergraduate studies, Strickland began her professional journey at Northern Life Insurance, where she worked in a clerical position. It was during this time that she met Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, who encouraged her to continue her education and pursue greater opportunities.

Following her MBA, Strickland joined Starbucks, where she managed the company's online business. This role allowed her to gain valuable experience in the corporate sector. Subsequently, she played a pivotal role in launching Click!, a public broadband cable service in Tacoma, collaborating with an advertising agency to build community support for the initiative.

Strickland's political career began when she was elected to the Tacoma City Council, where she served for two years before being elected as the mayor of Tacoma. Her tenure as mayor lasted from 2010 to 2018, during which she made history as the first Asian-born and the first African-American woman to hold the office. Strickland leveraged her international connections, particularly in China and Vietnam, to attract foreign investment to Tacoma, including facilitating a visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Despite her accomplishments, Strickland faced challenges during her time as mayor. In May 2010, the Tacoma Board of Ethics sanctioned her for accepting frequent flyer miles from a local businessman for an official trip to Asia. Strickland accepted the sanction and returned the value of the frequent flyer miles, demonstrating her commitment to ethical governance.

After her mayoral term, Strickland was approached by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to serve as its president. During her leadership at the chamber, she took a stance against the Seattle head tax, reflecting her moderate or centrist political views.

House tenure

Marilyn Strickland declared her candidacy for Washington's 10th congressional district in early 2020, following her departure from the chamber of commerce. This congressional seat was being vacated by incumbent Denny Heck. Strickland received endorsements from various political figures and media outlets, which bolstered her campaign. In the August 2020 jungle primary, she emerged as the frontrunner among 19 candidates, securing her place in the November general election alongside Democratic state representative Beth Doglio.

In the general election, Strickland successfully defeated Doglio, officially taking office on January 3, 2021. Her election was significant not only for her personal achievements but also for the representation of diverse communities in Congress. Strickland began her term as part of the 117th United States Congress, where she was recognized as the Pacific Northwest's first Black U.S. representative and one of the first three Korean-American women elected to Congress, alongside Michelle Steel and Young Kim.

Legislative focus and committees

During her time in the House of Representatives, Marilyn Strickland has aligned closely with President Joe Biden's administration, voting in accordance with the President's stated position 100% of the time during the 117th Congress, as noted by analysis from FiveThirtyEight. This alignment indicates her support for the administration's legislative agenda and priorities.

Strickland serves on several important committees, including the United States House Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. These committee assignments reflect her focus on issues related to national defense, infrastructure development, and public transportation, which are critical areas of concern for her constituents in Washington's 10th district.

In addition to her committee work, Strickland is a member of several caucuses that advocate for various issues. These include the Black Maternal Health Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Equality Caucus, the New Democrat Coalition, and the Rare Disease Caucus. Her involvement in these caucuses highlights her commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of diverse communities, particularly those related to health, equality, and economic development.

Strickland's personal life is characterized by her faith as a Protestant, and she is married to Patrick Erwin. Her background and experiences have shaped her approach to governance, making her a prominent figure in the ongoing dialogue about representation and diversity in American politics. As she continues her service in the U.S. House of Representatives, Strickland remains a key advocate for her constituents and a representative of her unique heritage. Her current term is set to conclude on January 3, 2027.