Vicki Lynne Caldwell Kraft[1] (born 1969)[2] is an American politician who served as a member of the Washington State House of Representatives for the 17th legislative district from 2017 until 2023. She was reelected in 2018, defeating Democrat Tanisha Harris by a margin of victory of less than 2%.[3][4] In a 2020 rematch, Kraft beat Harris by approximately 2.2%.
Vicki Kraft | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 17th district | |
| In office January 9, 2017 – January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Lynda Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Waters |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Vicki Lynne Caldwell 1969 (age 54–55) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Michigan State University (BA) |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and education
editKraft was raised in Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in advertising.
Career
editPrior to entering politics, Kraft worked as an account executive for Dell, Pillsbury, and Frigidaire.[5]
Kraft has promoted false claims of election fraud about the 2020 elections.[6][7] In the summer of 2021, Kraft was one of three Washington legislators who visited South Dakota to attend a symposium organized by My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell, known for promoting false claims of fraud about the 2020 presidential election. She and the two legislators who attended the event used reimbursed funds from the state legislature's annual travel allotment for events "connected to their legislative work".[7]
In August 2021, Kraft and four other state Republican lawmakers held an unofficial hearing with the aim of possibly calling for a "forensic audit" to take place in Washington State similar to the 2021 Maricopa County presidential ballot audit. The group that organized the event invited a speaker who falsely claimed there was voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.[8] The same month, Kraft wrote to Secretary of State Kim Wyman calling for a "forensic audit" of Washington's 2020 elections, saying that there were "many questions and issues to be addressed regarding our November 2020 elections."[6]
In November 2021, Kraft and 2 other Washington state Republican lawmakers signed a letter calling the 2020 election "corrupted" and demanded that an audit similar to the 2021 Maricopa County presidential ballot audit be conducted in all states.[9] The letter also requested the decertification of state electors from 2020 and inaccurately claimed that the Maricopa audit found evidence of fraud.[10]
After the state's redistricting of Washington's legislative map, Kraft's district was drawn out. In December 2021, Kraft announced her intention to run against Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler.[6][11]
Personal life
editIn 2007, Kraft moved to Washington. She lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her husband.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Commencement, 1991 Spring Term" (PDF). Michigan State University. 1991. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ "Legislative Manual 2021-2022" (PDF). Washington State Legislature.
- ^ Hair (November 6, 2018). "Election night: Dems gain in Washington, but how much?". The Stand. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "November 6, 2018 General Election Results". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "Vicki Kraft announces candidacy for Washington's 3rd Congressional District". ClarkCountyToday.com. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ a b c Brynelson, Troy (December 1, 2021). "Washington state Rep. Vicki Kraft tells Republicans she will run for Congress". OPB. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Brunner, Jim (January 3, 2022). "Three WA Republican legislators used taxpayer money to attend Mike Lindell's election conspiracy conference". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ Brunner, Jim (August 13, 2021). "Washington Republican legislators push election fraud narrative at hearing on Sunday". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- ^ Brunner, Jim (October 7, 2021). "State Democrats ask courts to dismiss lawsuits pursuing 2020 election audits". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 11, 2021 – via The Wenatchee World.
- ^ Bowman, Nick (December 1, 2021). "Claims of election fraud from Washington Republicans persist amid flood of emails to AG's office". MyNorthwest.com. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ^ Bowman, Nick (December 6, 2021). "Election fraud narrative becomes common thread among candidates looking to unseat WA Republicans". MyNorthwest.com. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ^ "Vicki Kraft For State Representative – Meet Vicki". Retrieved October 5, 2021.