State Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent, announced she is running for reelection to the 47th legislative district.
“I’m running again because I want kids growing up in our community to have the same opportunities that I had,” Das said in the Dec. 3 release. “I want them to want to be part of our community in South King County, to grow up, go to school, work and raise a family right here. I want them to want to give back to our community the way I have felt so compelled to serve South King County.”
The 2022 primary election is Aug. 2 and the general election is Nov. 8.
Voters narrowly elected Das in November 2018 to a four-year term over Republican incumbent Joe Fain, of Auburn. Das received 50.79% of the vote while Fain had 49.03%. The final tally was 28,394 to 27,413 votes.
The 47th legislative district covers Kent’s East Hill as well as Covington, Black Diamond and portions of Auburn, Renton and Maple Valley.
Das was born to Indian parents who immigrated to America’s rust belt with only $6 in their pockets, yet full of hope about building a better life for their family, according to the release. Das came to the United States when she was eight months old and spent her childhood moving around due to her father’s job, living in eight states and three countries. She finally settled down in Kent, where she currently lives.
Das graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and earned a master’s degree in business administration in sustainable business from Seattle-based Pinchot University, now part of San Francisco-based Presidio Graduate School. She also attended the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University. For 15 years, Das operated her own mortgage business, MOXY Money. Now, she works full time as a legislator, which pays $56,881 per year. She has centered her career around sustainable development, equal access to housing, and empowering marginalized voices.
Das serves as the Majority Caucus vice-chair, vice chair of the Senate Housing Affordability & Stability Committee, and as a member of the Senate Transportation Committee; the Senate Financial Institutions, Economic Development & Trade Committee; and the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee.
During her first year as an elected official, Das said she worked tirelessly on behalf of the environment, affordable housing and equity and inclusion. Das said she loves the outdoors, hiking, biking, paddle boarding and camping in her free time. Das loves to travel, and has visited 37 countries. She is a proud auntie to two nephews.
With her win over Fain, Das ended his eight years in the Senate. Fain was first elected in 2010 when he beat one-term Democratic incumbent Claudia Kauffman 55% to 45%. He was reelected in 2014 when he defeated Democrat Carol Barber 64% to 36%.
Campaign contributions
With contributions so far of $104,938 and a campaign starting balance of $3,150.87, Das has a total amount of $108,088, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.
She has 11 contributors of $2,000 each, including the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.
Das has expenditures of $25,199. Her largest expense so far is $5,000 to Katie Skipper Communications, of Bellevue, for strategic counsel.
Das raised $382,972 in 2018 when she defeated Fain, who raised $610,058, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.
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