DLCC and State Democrats Flip Washington State Senate

 

 

WASHINGTON — Tonight DLCC Executive Director Jessica Post congratulated Washington State Senator-elect and Manka Dhingra on her victory in the critical special election for Legislative District 45.

 

Dhingra, a prosecutor, community leader, and featured DLCC Spotlight Race candidate, championed fully funded public schools, fought for expanded access to quality and affordable health care, and protecting the rights of all Washingtonians, regardless of race, gender, or orientation. Her message resonated with voters and initial returns show her carrying the election by double digits, flipping the previously Republican-held district to the Democratic column and flipping the last Republican-chamber on the West Coast from red to blue.

 

“One of the greatest privileges of being the authority on state legislative races is that the DLCC is able to lift up critical races and elect strong Democratic candidates like Manka Dhingra,” said Post. “The DLCC made substantial contributions in this race on both the coordinated side and independent expenditure side, including financial support totaling over $745,000, data access, paid communications, recruiting volunteers, and more. We are proud of our work to unite our legislative leaders, partners, and in-state allies in support of Senator-elect Dhingra.”

 

DLCC Board member and now-Majority Leader of the Washington Senate Sharon Nelson showed support for the race and the DLCC’s involvement: “We are extremely grateful for everything the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee did to help us reach a critical victory in Washington,” said Leader Nelson. “Because of their early investments and continued partnership throughout this year, Democrats now have control of the state Senate and the ability to move forward progressive legislation. We could not have reached this victory without their support and we thank them for their commitment to taking back state legislative chambers across the country.”

 

Tonight’s Democratic victories extended from coast to coast, with the DLCC and state Democrats flipping at least 16 seats from red to blue in the Virginia state House, claiming record majorities in the New Jersey Legislature, flipping two seats from red to blue in the Georgia state House, breaking the Republican supermajority in the Georgia state Senate, flipping a New Hampshire state House seat from red to blue, and winning special elections in Massachusetts, New York, and South Carolina. The DLCC is proud of the programs, investments, and strategic actions it took during this cycle, and looks forward to supporting our legislators and candidates in upcoming special elections and throughout the 2018 midterm elections as Democrats prepare for 2020 redistricting.

 

For more information on this race or any of tonight’s elections or to schedule an interview with the DLCC, please contact Mara Sloan at [email protected]. The DLCC will continue to send critical updates.