▲ U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland
Korean-American U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland has secured her fourth term in the House.
According to the Associated Press, Strickland, running as the Democratic candidate in Washington's 10th Congressional District in the U.S. midterm elections held on November 3 (local time), secured her victory by defeating fellow Korean-American Republican candidate Chris Jung.
Around 9 p.m. Pacific Time, with 62% of the votes counted, Strickland recorded 64.4% of the vote, comfortably outpacing Jung, who trailed at 35.1%.
Immediately following her confirmed victory, Strickland expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you to everyone who shared our vision for a safer, more affordable, and just country."
She emphasized, "The American people rejected the chaos, cruelty, and corruption of President Trump. Voters want leaders who will fight for a better America and take decisive action to lower the costs of groceries, gasoline, health care, housing, and utilities. They want responsible governance."
Regarding her legislative plans for her fourth term, she stated, "I will focus on delivering tangible results rather than chasing headlines. My top priorities will continue to be lowering the cost of living, ensuring fair wages and benefits for workers, and protecting the sacred right to vote in every community."
Even in the primary election last August, Strickland captured 47.3% of the vote despite votes being split among other Democratic candidates, leading to widespread expectations that she would win the general election barring any upsets.
Born in Seoul in 1962 to her father Willie Strickland, a Korean War veteran, and her Korean mother Kim In-min, Strickland defines her identity as "half-Korean and half-Black."
She also holds the Korean name "Kim Soon-ja."
She drew significant attention during her swearing-in ceremony in January 2021 when she first entered the House of Representatives by wearing a hanbok.
After majoring in business administration at Washington State University and earning an MBA from Clark Atlanta University, she built a career in the private sector at companies including insurance firms and Starbucks before entering politics in 2008.
She subsequently served as the mayor of Tacoma from 2010 to 2018, and won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020, becoming the state's first Black member of the federal House.
She has since won four consecutive terms up to this election.
She is also active in Washington politics, serving in leadership for the Congressional Black Caucus and as whip for the New Democrat Coalition in the House.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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