Victoria Hunt

Victoria Hunt is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 5th district. A member of the Democratic Party, she was appointed to the Senate in 2025 following the passing of her predecessor, Bill Ramos. Prior to her tenure in the Senate, Hunt served in the Washington House of Representatives and has held various positions within local government, including a significant role on the Issaquah City Council.

Early life and career

Victoria Hunt was born and raised in the United States. She pursued higher education at Cornell University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2007. Following her undergraduate studies, she continued her academic journey at the University of Illinois, obtaining a Ph.D. in Computational Ecology in 2015. This educational background laid the foundation for her career in data science and urban planning.

Hunt's professional career includes notable positions in both the public and private sectors. She served as the Chief Data Officer at Crosswalk Labs, where she applied her expertise in data analysis to urban design and planning initiatives. Additionally, she has been a faculty member at the University of Washington's Urban Design and Planning Department, contributing to the academic community through teaching and research.

Her experience extends to the realm of climate research, having worked as a data scientist at Breakthrough Energy, a firm founded by Bill Gates focused on addressing climate change. In this role, Hunt concentrated on issues related to the electricity grid, utilizing her scientific knowledge to model and analyze the U.S. electric grid's dynamics.

Hunt's commitment to local governance is exemplified by her three terms on the Issaquah City Council, where she was an advocate for policies promoting increased density and affordable housing. Her involvement in local government also included a position on Issaquah's Planning Policy Commission, where she contributed to shaping the city's development policies. During her tenure as City Council President in 2020 and 2021, she played a crucial role in establishing partnerships aimed at addressing homelessness, including a collaboration with a local motel to provide temporary housing for individuals in need.

Legislative service

Victoria Hunt's political career took a significant step forward when she was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 2024. She succeeded Bill Ramos, who had transitioned to the Washington State Senate. In the primary election held on August 6, 2024, Hunt secured a notable portion of the vote in a competitive field of five candidates. Following her success in the primary, she advanced to the general election on November 5, where she emerged victorious against her Republican opponent, Mark Hargrove.

In June 2025, following the death of Bill Ramos, Hunt was appointed by the King County Council to fill the vacancy in the Washington State Senate. She subsequently ran for a full term in the November 2025 general election, successfully securing her position. Her current term in the Senate is set to conclude on January 8, 2029.

Policy focus and district

As a legislator, Victoria Hunt has prioritized a range of policy issues that reflect her background and the needs of her constituents in the 5th district. Her legislative focus encompasses environmental sustainability, housing and homelessness, public safety, education, revenue policy, and healthcare.

In the area of environmental policy, Hunt is a strong proponent of legislation aimed at combating climate change. She has voiced her opposition to any efforts to repeal Washington's Climate Commitment Act, which established a cap-and-trade system in the state. Drawing on her scientific expertise, she advocates for policies that reduce carbon emissions while ensuring the reliability of the electricity grid during the transition to cleaner energy sources. Additionally, she has supported measures requiring fossil fuel companies to disclose financial information related to consumer costs and profits, emphasizing transparency in the energy sector.

Hunt's commitment to addressing housing and homelessness issues is evident in her support for increased density and affordable housing initiatives. She advocates for maintaining local control over zoning and regulatory policies while also supporting broader investments in the state's Housing Trust Fund. Hunt has expressed her belief that zoning changes alone are insufficient to tackle the affordable housing crisis and has shown interest in exploring innovative solutions, such as housing land trusts.

In terms of public safety, Hunt has championed the implementation of co-response programs that integrate behavioral health experts with law enforcement. She advocates for expanding state support for behavioral health services and crisis response initiatives, reflecting her commitment to addressing mental health issues within the community. Furthermore, she has opposed the presence of school resource officers in educational settings, advocating for alternative approaches to school safety.

Hunt's focus on education is driven by her personal experience as a mother of two children in the public school system. She supports increased funding for special education and universal free school lunches while opposing voucher programs and charter school funding. Her advocacy emphasizes the importance of maintaining robust support for traditional public schools.

In the realm of revenue policy, Hunt has expressed support for progressive tax proposals, including modifications to the capital gains tax and adjustments to the estate tax to make it more equitable. Her legislative actions reflect a commitment to addressing economic disparities and ensuring that the state's revenue system is fair and effective.

Healthcare is another critical area of focus for Hunt. She supports the Keep Our Care Act, which aims to safeguard healthcare services during hospital mergers. Additionally, she has been an advocate for reproductive rights and access to comprehensive healthcare services across Washington.

Victoria Hunt's multifaceted legislative agenda reflects her commitment to addressing the diverse needs of her constituents in the 5th district. Through her work in the Washington State Senate, she continues to engage with a range of pressing issues, drawing on her extensive background in data science, urban planning, and local governance to inform her policy decisions.