April 21, 2020
Norm Dicks, Christine Gregoire, and Gary Locke Endorse Marilyn Strickland for Congress
Tacoma, Washington – Former Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, candidate for Congress in Washington’s 10th District, has earned the endorsements of former U.S. Representative Norm Dicks, former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, and former Washington Governor, U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Ambassador to China Gary Locke, as a clear indication of the growing momentum of Strickland’s campaign.
Said Rep. Dicks: “Marilyn is the daughter of a veteran of WWII and the Korean War, and there is no one I trust more to stand up for our military service members, their families, and for veterans. She has a proven record of local and regional leadership, deep roots in the South Sound, and successfully led Tacoma out of the last recession. Under her leadership as Mayor of Tacoma, the city attracted over $1 billion in investment and will invest over $500 million in transportation infrastructure. She has fought to preserve our parks and wilderness, protected Tacoma’s environment and created good-paying jobs. I am proud to endorse Marilyn for Congress.”
“Marilyn is a proven leader and catalyst for positive change,” said Governor Locke. “She has a track record of working to improve the lives of all Washingtonians, from passing paid sick leave and creating the Minority Business Development Agency at the City of Tacoma to endorsing and campaigning for the Washington State Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Act. She will break barriers as the first Korean-American woman ever elected to Congress, and her commitment to economic opportunity and equity has always been front and center in her work. We need leaders like Marilyn now more than ever, and I am proud to support her for Congress.”
“I’m enthusiastic about Marilyn because of her strong record and vision for the South Sound,” said Governor Gregoire. “Her local experience is rooted in creating opportunities for all. She’s smart, thoughtful, compassionate, and her ability to deliver results is exactly what we need in Washington D.C.”
Strickland thanked her endorsers. “I am honored to have the support of three of Washington’s most well-respected and accomplished leaders. Norm Dicks is an icon with an enduring legacy, and we will reap the benefits of his commitment to our state and region for decades to come. I will work every day to be an effective champion for South Sound residents and interests, and Rep. Dicks is a great role model.”
“Gov. Locke’s election as the first Asian-American Governor outside Hawaii and continuing service in the Obama Administration is an inspiration to Asian-Americans and others across our state and country. His dedication to equity and inclusion and support of small businesses is an example for all of us to follow, and I will seek to live up to his example.”
“Governor Gregoire fought for LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, and signed into law sweeping education reforms — including expanding early childhood education. As Washington’s first-ever woman Attorney General, she took on big tobacco and won! She has been a fierce champion for Washingtonians and I am incredibly honored to have her support.”
In addition to Representative Dicks, Governor Locke, and Governor Gregoire, Strickland’s endorsements include Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards; Sumner Mayor Bill Pugh; Fircrest Mayor Hunter George; Steilacoom Mayor Ron Lucas; State Representative Jake Fey; Tacoma Port Commissioner John McCarthy; Metro Parks Commissioner Jessie Baines Jr.; Pierce County Councilmember Marty Campbell; Asia-Pacific Cultural Center Executive Director Lua Pritchard; Former State Representative and Environmental Leader Brady Walkinshaw; educator Nate Bowling, the 2016 Washington State Teacher of the Year; and Former Washington State Democratic Party Chair Paul Berendt.
Born in Seoul, Strickland attended Tacoma Public Schools, holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Washington and earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Clark-Atlanta University. She is the second woman to serve as mayor of Tacoma, and is the former CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
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