Biography
47th Legislative District
Sen. Claudia Kauffman was sworn into the Washington State Senate in January 2023. She is the Senate Democratic Caucus’s Leadership Liaison to the Tribal Nations, vice chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, and a member of the Transportation and Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs committees. Kauffman also serves as the co-vice chair of the Senate Democrats’ Members of Color Caucus.
A resident of Kent for over 20 years, Kauffman was previously elected and served as Washington state senator of the 47th Legislative District from 2007-11. A member of the Nez Perce tribe, she is the only Indigenous woman to serve in the Senate.
Kauffman is a fierce advocate for legislation and policy to protect children, address equity, increase support services for people with disabilities, and improve public education in Washington.