Dear friends,
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My colleague Senator Steve Conway announced that he will be retiring and not seeking re-election to the Washington State Senate. Senator Conway has dedicated over thirty years of service to our district, with an unwavering commitment to working families. I have been so fortunate to learn from Senator Conway’s example as champion for workers’ rights, fair wages, and safe workplaces. It has been my privilege to be his seatmate, and I ask you to join me in thanking Steve, Georgia, and his entire family for their service to our community.
With Senator Conway’s announcement, I want to share with you that I have decided to run for Senate to represent the 29th Legislative District.
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I want our community to be a place where people can realize their dreams, and build a future for their families. I am the daughter of immigrants who worked hard to provide my brothers and me with everything we needed for a good start in life. Like you, I’ve made this district my home and understand what a struggle it can be to buy food, make rent, and care for loved ones, even while working multiple jobs. The painfully high cost of living is making it impossible for families here to afford the strong foundation they deserve.
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This isn’t right. This isn’t a world I’m willing to accept and you shouldn’t have to either. I’m running because I know we deserve better.
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We’ve accomplished a lot together since you first sent me to the State House. We’ve delivered real investments to neighborhoods throughout the district. We’ve stood up to protect our frontline communities from a Trump administration determined to tear them apart. At every step, we’ve shown that when we collaborate, listen to each other, and bring transparency to the halls of power, we can deliver for the people we serve.
The 2026 legislative session is in full swing, and this is what I’ll continue to be focused on: delivering. I’ll be fighting to bring prices down on everything from food to housing to childcare, help working families build thriving futures, and ensure the voice of our entire community is represented in Olympia. But when our legislative work is done, I’ll need your help, because this campaign will not be easy.
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For now, please sign up here to stay involved. Your encouragement, trust, and belief in me have given me the strength to stand up for you in the Legislature, and I would be humbled to have you stand with me in the campaign to come.
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With gratitude,
Sharlett Mena