Rep. Marilyn Strickland, a Democrat, is seeking reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington's 10th Congressional District in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She faces Republican Chris D. Chung.

Asked why she is running, Strickland said in our candidate questionnaire: "The people of this district aren't asking for much: access to affordable housing and healthcare, good schools, and jobs that pay well. They want to live and retire with dignity." She added that her priorities include "building an economy that works for everyone, protecting the environment and access to healthcare, and supporting our service members, military families, and veterans."

Candidate information

Party: "Democrat," Strickland said in our questionnaire.

Education: Strickland holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Washington and an MBA from Clark-Atlanta University, according to BallotReady.

Family: "I am married," Strickland said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Strickland has represented Washington's 10th Congressional District since 2021, according to her congressional biography. She previously served as mayor of Tacoma from 2010 to 2017 and as president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce from 2018 to 2020, according to BallotReady.

Asked about her current roles, Strickland said in our questionnaire: "In Congress, I'm a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I serve as Chief Deputy Whip in the House Democratic Caucus, and am Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)."

Asked what accomplishments show she can handle the job, Strickland said in our questionnaire: "I secured $50 million in direct investment for our local communities to create jobs by investing in housing, main streets, pedestrian safety, bridges, public transit, and clean water." She added: "I've helped thousands of constituents recover more than $10 million of federal benefits owed to them …"

On the issues

Top priority: Asked for the single most important issue Congress should address, Strickland said in our questionnaire: "Congress must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. I am a proud co-sponsor."

Affordability: Strickland said in our questionnaire: "Congress must implement the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which I voted to pass." She added: "Congress must urgently restore SNAP benefits and address Trump's illegal tariffs, which are driving up the costs of food and energy."

Health care: Strickland said in our questionnaire: "We must reverse the cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, and restore tax credits for the ACA. We must also add a public option to the ACA to expand choice and competition, and move us towards universal coverage."

National security: Strickland said in our questionnaire: "The War in Iran must end. Since Trump returned to office, America's national security and standing in the world has been weakened." She added: "The funding cuts to the VA must be reversed."

Environment: Strickland said in our questionnaire that she has "advanced a bill to create a 6PPD-quinone Task Force to research and identify a safe alternative to this chemical, which is a byproduct of tire runoff and impacts our waterways and salmon." She also said she introduced "the bipartisan Cool Corridors Act, which would lessen the impact of extreme heat in urban areas …"

Immigration: Strickland said in our questionnaire: "We … need comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers, while addressing our legitimate labor shortage and security concerns."

Federal spending: Strickland said in our questionnaire: "We need to end Trump's tariffs too. These function as a form of regressive tax on American families. … Beyond that, we need a fairer tax code."

Strickland has received endorsements from the AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, the National Education Association and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund, among others, according to BallotReady.