2017 WSNA-PAC endorsed candidates

The WSNA-PAC Board endorsed a number of candidates running in special elections for the Washington State Legislature. Most of these candidates were appointed to the Legislature and served in the 2017 session – with the exception of the 45th Legislative District, where there is an open seat. WSNA-PAC’s endorsed candidates were evaluated based on a candidate questionnaire, an interview with members of the PAC Board and nurses, as well as incumbents’ 2017 legislative voting record.

31st Legislative District

Phil Fortunato was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 2016, and was appointed to the Washington State Senate following Senator Pam Roach’s election to the Pierce County Council. Senator Fortunato is a small-business owner of an erosion control and stormwater management company, and he is a strong supporter of workers’ rights. During the 2017 legislative session, he achieved a 100 percent voting record on WSNA legislative priorities – supporting safe nurse staffing and opposing right-to-work legislation. In his candidate interview with WSNA, Senator Fortunato stated that he will be a champion for uninterrupted rest and meal breaks for nurses.

Party: Republican

Occupation: Small business owner

2017 WSNA Legislative Voting Record: 100%

2017 Primary Election: 58.35%

votefortunato.org

37th Legislative District

Rebecca Saldana was appointed to the Washington State Senate when Pramila Jayapal was elected to Congress. Senator Saldana is the executive director of Puget Sound Sage, a community-based organization that advocates for racial and social equity, and she is a former union organizer. In the Senate, she serves on the Commerce, Labor & Sports Committee (which held hearings on safe nurse staffing and uninterrupted rest breaks legislation) and the Transportation Committee. During her first session in the Legislature, Senator Saldana achieved an 80 percent voting record on WSNA legislative priorities – supporting the vast majority of nursing issues. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in theology and humanities from Seattle University.

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Executive Director of Puget Sound Sage

2017 WSNA Legislative Voting Record: 80% (based on five bills)

2017 Primary Election: 97.75%

rebeccasaldana.com

45th Legislative District

Manka Dhingra is a senior deputy prosecutor with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where she supervises the Regional Mental Health Court, the Veterans Court, and the Community Assessment and Referral for Diversion program. As a mental health and crisis intervention expert, Manka collaborates with and trains law enforcement on appropriate response. She serves on the Board of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Eastside. She graduated from the University of Washington School of Law and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley. In her candidate interview, Manka discussed the importance of workers’ rights and clearly understood the challenges nurses face with staffing and intermittent rest breaks.

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor

2017 Primary Election: 51.49%

electmanka.com

48th Legislative District

Patty Kuderer was appointed to the Senate seat vacated when Cyrus Habib was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2016, and she previously served in the Washington State House of Representatives since 2015. Her more than 30-year legal career has spanned public and private sector law, including helping individuals in employment discrimination cases. Senator Kuderer believes that health care is a right, and she serves as ranking minority member on the Senate Health Care Committee. During her first session in the Senate, Senator Kuderer achieved an 80% voting record on WSNA legislative priorities, voting in support of safe nurse staffing and the school nurse supervision bill. She earned her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota.

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Attorney

2017 WSNA Legislative Voting Record: 80% (based on five bills)

2017 Primary Election: 61.35%

pattykuderer.nationbuilder.com

48th Legislative District

Dr. Vandana Slatter was appointed to the Washington State House of Representatives in 2017. In her first term, Rep. Slatter achieved a 100 percent voting record on WSNA legislative priorities – and she signed on as a sponsor of the safe nurse staffing bill (HB 1714), the rest breaks bill (HB 1715) and the school nurse supervision bill (HB 1432). She sits on the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, as well as the Education Committee and Technology & Economic Development Committee. Rep. Slatter is a pharmacist, a former Bellevue City councilmember and a health care and biotech professional, and has served on the Overlake Hospital Board of Trustees. She earned a Doctor of Pharmacy and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from the University of Washington.

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Pharmacist

2017 WSNA Legislative Voting Record: 100%

2017 Primary Election: 76.96%

vandanaslatter.com