August 18, 2020

Kristine Reeves Endorses Marilyn Strickland’s Campaign for Congress

Reeves Latest Addition to Growing Group of Local, State, and National Leaders Supporting Strickland

(TACOMA, WA) – Marilyn Strickland, candidate to represent Washington’s 10th District in Congress, announced today she has earned the endorsement of Kristine Reeves, former State Representative and candidate for the 10th Congressional District. 

Strickland finished in first place in the August 4 primary election, while Reeves finished third.

“Marilyn Strickland has the right life experience and leadership skills to deliver real results for struggling families across this district,” Reeves said. “I strongly believe Marilyn is the candidate in this race who will stand up for those left behind, and I am proud to offer her my enthusiastic endorsement and support.”

“We are at a critical moment in our country’s history, in the middle of a global pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and an economy that isn’t working for everyone. At this time we need leaders in Congress who understand, through first-hand lived experience, that our institutions of government are not working for all Americans and have disproportionately left Black, brown and low-income folks behind. I want the next Congresswoman from the 10th Congressional District to not only continue that fight to make sure people like me have a seat at the decision-making table, but also who understands that table may need to be rebuilt to dismantle systems of inequity and exclusion. At this critical moment, Marilyn Strickland is that candidate.”

“Kristine Reeves is a tireless champion for South Sound families, and I’m so grateful to have her support in this race,” said Strickland. “Kristine understands first-hand how our social safety net can transform lives. Throughout her career, she has always shown her heart and courage, and put working families ahead of politics. I look forward to continuing to expand our campaign with support of leaders like Kristine. Working with her and so many others, I want to make sure that the South Sound recovers from this current crisis stronger than before.

As State Representative for the 30th Legislative District, Reeves was a champion for working families. She helped create an apprenticeship program training students for living wage jobs, advocated for a statewide initiative on environmental justice centering communities of color in environmental policymaking, and fought for improved benefits and job prospects for veterans, tribal members, and military families. First elected in 2016, Reeves was the first Black woman elected to the Washington State Legislature in nearly two decades. 

Reeves is the latest Puget Sound leader to support Marilyn’s campaign for Congress. Reps. Derek Kilmer and Suzan DelBene announced their support recently for Marilyn’s campaign and joined a large and growing group of regional, state and national leaders supporting Marilyn Strickland for Congress, including: former Governors Gary Locke and Christine Gregoire, former Congressman Norm Dicks; nearly 20 sitting members of Congress including Reps. Maxine Waters, Hakeem Jeffries, Pete Aguilar, Andy Kim and Ted Lieu; Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards and two dozen other Mayors around the state and country, State Auditor Pat McCarthy, former the Evergreen State College President Les Purce, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson, The News Tribune, The Seattle Times, the International Union of Operating Engineers Locals 612 and 302, the Seafarers International Union, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, the Sailors Union of the Pacific, local and national Asian-American and African-American leaders and advocacy organizations, and the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Distinction. You can view the full list of endorsements here

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