Cindy Ryu[1] is an American politician serving as a member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 32nd district.[2][3] She was the first Korean-American woman to be a mayor in the United States.[4] She is the Chair of the Innovation, Community & Economic Development, and Veterans Committee and works on issues such as broadband deployment, catalytic converter thefts, consumer protection, outdoor recreation funding, increasing housing supply, tourism, and resilience of small businesses, communities, infrastructure and the environment.
Cindy Ryu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 32nd district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2011 Serving with Lauren Davis | |
| Preceded by | Maralyn Chase |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Seoul, South Korea |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Cody Ryu |
| Residence | Shoreline, Washington |
| Education | University of Washington (BS, MBA) |
Early life and education
editRyu has lived in South Korea, Brunei, and the Philippines. She earned a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and a Master of Business Administration in operations management from the University of Washington.
Career
editWhile serving as a member of the Shoreline City Council, Ryu was elected mayor in 2008, becoming the first female Korean-American mayor in the United States.[5] Cindy was president of both the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and its Dollars For Scholars Chapter. She helped create Shoreline's Green Business Program.
Following a loss in her candidacy for Shoreline City Council, Ryu ran for a seat in the Washington House of Representatives for the 32nd legislative district in 2010.[6] She faced Republican Art Coday and won the general election with 61.02% of the vote, becoming the first Korean-American woman to hold office in that chamber.[7][3] Ryu served on the Community and Economic Development and Housing Committee during her first term in office.[8]
In 2012, Ryu was re-elected, winning 69.9% of the vote against Republican challenger Randy Hayden.[9] In her sophomore term as representative, Ryu was elected by her peers as the vice chair of the Business and Financial Services Committee.[8]
In 2014, Ryu ran unopposed.[10]
Ryu was chair of the House Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs Committee.[11]
In 2016, Ryu defeated Republican challenger Alvin Rutlege, winning 76% of the vote.[12]
Ryu was chair of the Members of Color Caucus and focused on increasing data privacy during her term as chair.[13]
In 2018, Ryu defeated Republican challenger Dio Boucsieguez, winning 75.8% of the vote.[14]
Ryu was a member of the Appropriations committee.[15] She also joined the Consumer Protection & Business committee.[15]
In 2020, Ryu defeated Democratic challenger Shirley Sutton, winning 72.8% of the vote.[16]
In 2020, Ryu chaired the Community and Economic Development Committee.[17]
In 2022, Ryu defeated Lori Theis, who was affiliated with the Election Integrity Party.[18] Ryu won 82% of the vote.[18] Ryu is the chair of the Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Committee, as well as a member of the Appropriations and Consumer Protection & Business Committees.[19] She is past Chair of Women In Government, a national organization of women state legislators.[20] Ryu serves on the FCC Intergovernmental Advisory Committee https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-231A1.pdf and is the President of PNWER.org
References
edit- ^ "Cash Receipts Monetary Contributions, Washington State Democratic Party". Public Disclosure Commission, State of Washington. 2017-11-02. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
- ^ "Cindy Ryu". votesmart.org. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
- ^ a b Han in the Upper Left: A Brief History of Korean Americans in the Pacific Northwest. Chin Music Press Inc. 2016. pp. 90–91. ISBN 9781634059558.
- ^ "History's First Mayors". nlc.org. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
- ^ "Shoreline a bright spot for thriving Korean Americans". Northwest Asian Weekly. 2011-09-08. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Ryu bounces back by running for state rep". Northwest Asian Weekly. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Cindy Ryu, a candidate for State Representative Pos. 1, Legislative District 32 in the 2010 Washington General Election". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ a b "Rep. Cindy Ryu elected vice chair of Business and Financial Services". Bothell-Kenmore Reporter. 2012-12-14. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ By (2012-09-23). "Editorial: Cindy Ryu, Ruth Kagi for 32nd Legislative District". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Introductory statement from 32nd District State Rep. Cindy Ryu". HeraldNet.com. 2014-06-25. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "The Times recommends: Cindy Ryu for 32nd Legislative District, House Position No. 1". The Seattle Times. 2016-07-08. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Washington 32nd District – Position 1 State House Results: Cindy Ryu Wins". The New York Times. 2017-08-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Legislative District 32, Representative Position 1 — Cindy Ryu – The Seattle Globalist". 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Washington State House - District 32 - Position 1 Election Results | USA TODAY". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ a b board, The Seattle Times editorial (2020-07-16). "The Times recommends: Rep. Cindy Ryu for the 32nd Legislative District, Position 1". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Washington State House - District 32 - Position 1 Election Results | Salinas Californian". www.thecalifornian.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ MyEdmondsNews (2020-12-12). "Rep. Ryu elected chair of new Community and Economic Development Committee". My Edmonds News. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ a b "Washington State House - District 32 - Position 1 Election Results | Journal Sentinel". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ Wippel, Teresa (2023-02-01). "Local lawmakers share their 2023 state legislative priorities". MLTnews.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Board of Directors - Women In Government". Women In Government - Convening Women Legislators & Stakeholder Experts. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2023-06-20.