The Washington State Democratic Party has chosen Shasti Conrad, the former leader of the King County Democrats, as its new chair, Lynwood Times reports. Conrad is the first South Asian and first Indian American woman to chair a State Democratic party in the country.
Conrad takes over from Tina Podlodowski, who has chaired the party since 2017 and recently stepped down. The Indian American politician is now also the youngest Washington State Democratic Party chair in history, The Seattle Times reports.
“I’m so honored to have the opportunity to serve as Chair of our state party and build on the outstanding success Washington Democrats have earned at the ballot box for the last six years,” Conrad, said, according to Lynwood Times. “I’m excited to work with Democratic leaders from every community to build an unprecedented field operation that will carry the message of how Washington Democrats are delivering for working families to each and every voter.”
The Seattle Times reports that Conrad founded the Opportunity PAC, focused on electing Black women to office. She worked on both of former President Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns as well as serving in the Obama White House. She also worked on both of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns.
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