Rep.-elect Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.-10)

Date of birth: Sept. 25, 1962
Residence: Tacoma, Wash.
Occupation: former CEO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Education: B.A., University of Washington; MBA, Clark-Atlanta University
Family: husband, Patrick Erwin; two stepdaughters

Marilyn Strickland is both the first African American to represent Washington at the federal level and the first Korean American woman elected to Congress.

Strickland beat out fellow Democrat Beth Doglio for her historic win after the two came out on top during the primary.

This isn’t Strickland’s first time making history. In 2009, Strickland was elected to serve as the mayor of Tacoma, Wash., making her the first Black woman and Korean American to be elected to the position. She served two terms.

Shortly after leaving office in 2017, Strickland was chosen to serve as the CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce in 2018, but stepped down last year to pursue her congressional bid.

Strickland will be replacing Rep. Denny Heck (D-Wash.), who decided to retire at the end of 2019.

– Jordan Williams