Debra Lekanoff - 146

Representative Debra Lekanoff  represents the 40th legislative district of Washington state, which includes parts of Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties. She is a proud mom who fights every day to ensure younger generations, including her daughter Emma, can continue to flourish. She is inclusive in her decision-making process by listening to stakeholders, citizens and governmental bodies. She is known for her experience and capacity to work with vast parties, and on vast issues, and get the job done. Sworn into the Washington State House of Representatives in January 2019, Representative Lekanoff is the only Native American woman to currently serve in the Washington Legislature.

Representative Lekanoff has called the Skagit Valley in Washington home for almost 20 years. In addition to serving in the Legislature, Representative Lekanoff served as Governmental Affairs Director for the Swinomish Tribe. With over 20 years of government relations experience, she engages on a variety of issues at the international, federal, tribal, state, and local levels. Her background and experience provide valuable knowledge and perspectives that allow her to lead on a wide range of policy issue areas, including but not limited to, the governmental services of health care for all, free higher education for all, sustainable workforce with fair hours and pay for all, tax reform and protecting the capital gain tax, free childcare for all, sound environment policies, abundance of healthy natural resources from salmon to elk, protecting the climate change investments, building sustainable communities with housing that is affordable and fits demographic needs, and water quality and quantity, and stronger and lawful sovereign relationships with federally recognized tribes. My policy passion is centered on saving lives of Washingtonians. The strategy foundation is the collaboration at tribal, local, state and federal governments to Heal One Washington in the fight to save lives from the Fentanyl Crisis and the long time challenge of addiction and mental and behavioral health epidemic. We need all governments investing in prevention, recovery and aftercare. Now more than ever we have to invest beyond an emergency plan, but rather long term and ongoing life invests for all demographics, gender, race and cultures – as we know these threats do not pick whose lives they destroy, these threats harm all of our loved ones, neighbors and friends, workforce and citizens lives. I am for the People.