SEATTLE – Vandana Slatter (D-Bellevue) was selected by the King County Council Wednesday to replace former Sen. Patty Kuderer, who was recently elected to serve as Washington’s insurance commissioner. Slatter was sworn into office shortly after.
“It’s a privilege to serve the 48th Legislative District in this new role,” Slatter said. “I look forward to continuing to be a champion for higher education, workforce development, new technologies, and the health of our communities.”
Slatter was appointed to the House of Representatives in 2017 to serve the 48th Legislative District, which includes parts of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and all of Clyde Hill, Medina, Yarrow Point and Hunts Point. Since then, she has been a leader on key policy issues such as postsecondary education, reproductive health, technology and climate change.
While in the House, Slatter passed important legislation, including expanding access to postsecondary education for low-income students, protecting the reproductive and health data of those seeking care, creating the Washington Health Corps to connect medical professionals with underserved communities, and ensuring Washington’s emission reduction targets align with science.
Prior to joining the Washington State Legislature, she served as a Bellevue city councilmember. Slatter is a licensed pharmacist in Washington state, and for over 20 years, was a clinical scientist at multiple leading biotech companies. She also worked as a hospital pharmacist at Battle Creek Health Systems in Michigan. In 2007, Slatter was appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire to a four-year term on the Washington State Board of Pharmacy.
The 105-day 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 13.
