King 5 / Nov. 29, 2017
By Allison Sundell
State Senator Manka Dhingra was sworn in to office Wednesday giving Democrats control of the state House and Senate for the first time in five years.
Dhingra, who won a special election in the 45th Legislative District, said the victory is huge.
“The hope really is that a lot of these bills that had bipartisan support in the House that died in the Senate will be able to be passed,” Dhingra said. “We’re really looking forward to governing, governing inclusively, making sure everyone’s voices are heard.”
Washington also joined Oregon and California with Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers and the governor’s office.
“The blue wall is significant,” Dhingra said. “I think it’s more like the blue wave. It’s significant, because it helps to highlight the issues that are coming from the other Washington.”
Dhingra said her top priorities will be education funding, mental health issues, and gun reform.
The seat replaces late Republican Sen. Andy Hill, who died in October 2016.
Dhingra is a King County prosecutor who supervises a mental health court, a veterans court, and diversion program.
