Out lesbian, successful with Ref 71 campaign, is now running for the state legislature

[eridani]

What a delight it is to announce the candidacy of Laurie Jinkins! Jinkins is immensely qualified to serve in the legislature and already has the endorsement of a weighty list of community leaders and elected officials. She currently serves as Deputy Director of the Pierce County Public Health Department and is a longtime Tacoma Community College Trustee. She earned an M.A. in Business/Health Care Administration from University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a J.D. from Seattle University (University of Puget Sound) School of Law.

"I'm running on a simple platform: create jobs and opportunity for hard working families, protect the safety net of health and human services, and invest in clean energy and transportation solutions that protect our quality of life and environment," said Jinkins. "I'm excited for the opportunity to serve and the outpouring of support I've receiving as we launch the campaign."

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laurie-Jinkins/113073305369501

The entire press release is below the fold.

If elected, Jinkins would become the first out lesbian to serve in the Washington state legislature and would join the six out gay men currently serving there. Jinkins' civil rights and community service resume is every bit as impressive as her professional resume. Most recently, Jinkins served as co-chair of the successful Approve 71 campaign to protect Washington's domestic partnership law from referendum repeal. Here's a great summary from 2006 of some of her earlier community service:

She began her political activism in 1989 helping on the Initiative 2 campaign (an early attempt to add sexual orientation to Tacoma's anti-discrimination ordinance). She went on to serve as a regional representative, representing Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston, Jefferson and Grays Harbor counties, on the Hands Off Washington Board from 1993 through 1997, eventually serving as Chair during the I-677 campaign.
In 2001, Laurie founded Tacoma United for Fairness (TUFF) along with many other leaders from the Tacoma community and they were blessed with the opportunity to re-make history. TUFF organized the successful addition of sexual orientation and gender identity to Tacoma's anti-discrimination ordinance and then successfully defended the ordinance in an initiative campaign where Laurie served as Chair.

Jinkins' full, up-to-date community service list is rather impressive:
Approve Ref. 71 Campaign Co-Chair (2009) | Tacoma Rotary 8 Member | Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees (1998-present); Chair (2001, 2006, 2009) | Tacoma/Pierce County American Leadership Forum, Board of Directors (2003-present); Chair (2008-09) | Tacoma Community House, Board of Directors (2004 - present); Chair (2007 - present) | Seattle University School of Law Board of Governors (2002- 2006) | Chair, Tacoma Charter Review Committee (2002) | Chair, Tacoma United for Fairness (TUFF) (2001-02) | African American Museum Board of Directors (1998) | City of Tacoma Urban Policy Committee (1996-98) | Equality Washington/Hands-Off Washington, Board of Directors (1993-97); President (1996-97) | YWCA of Tacoma-Pierce Co. Board of Directors, (1991-96); President (1995) | Chair, Tacoma Hate Crimes Task Force, (1990-92)



Public Health Leader, TCC Trustee, Assistant Attorney General and Community Leader Laurie Jinkins to Run for 27th District Open Seat

TACOMA--Laurie Jinkins, Deputy Director of the Pierce County Public Health Department, longtime Tacoma Community College Trustee, public school mom and noted leader for equality and human rights, has announced her candidacy for State Representative in Tacoma's 27th Legislative District. Jinkins, a Democrat, is seeking the seat being vacated by Dennis Flannigan.

"I'm running on a simple platform: create jobs and opportunity for hard working families, protect the safety net of health and human services, and invest in clean energy and transportation solutions that protect our quality of life and environment," said Jinkins. "I'm excited for the opportunity to serve and the outpouring of support I've receiving as we launch the campaign."

Jinkins enters with the endorsements of prominent Tacoma area elected officials including State Representative Jeannie Darneille (D-27), former County Chief of Staff Lyle Quasim, State Auditor Brian Sonntag (D), Sen Rosa Franklin (D-25), Pierce County Councilmember Tim Farrell (D), Former 27th Dist. Rep. Art Wang (D) and Tacoma School Board Member Kim Golding. In addition, Laurie has support from community leaders across the district including Lyle Quasim, Liz Dunbar, Dawn Lucien, Judie Fortier, Benjii Bittle, Steve Smith, Ron Lunceford, Artee Young, and Sondra Purcell.

Well known locally for leadership in public health and as a TCC Trustee, Jinkins cites this experience as critical to delivering quality, basic services in challenging economic times.

"I've worked alongside unions, service providers, employers and the community to set priorities and balance budgets," said Jinkins, who chaired the TCC Board in 2009. "In this economy, we have to focus on outcomes that serve people and maximize limited resources. I'll bring that focus on fiscal management to Olympia to help make the tough choices we face as a state."

Jinkins, who if elected will be the first open lesbian elected to state office in Washington history, has a long track record of regional and statewide leadership on civil rights and domestic partnership issues, including co-chairing the successful Referendum 71 campaign last year which passed overwhelmingly in the 27th LD.

"As a mom and Tacoma resident, I see the importance of treating all people with the respect and dignity they deserve," said Jinkins. "I want all of our kids to grow up in a world where we recognize that there is strength and opportunity in our diversity."

Jinkins plans a volunteer-driven, grass roots campaign similar to those run by Darneille and Flannigan.

"I'm going to run a Tacoma style campaign of shoe leather, yard signs, and shaking hands," said Jinkins. "I'm running to represent the values and priorities of the city I love, and look forward to a great, energetic campaign."