Elect Mari Leavitt, House of Representatives, LD 28

Mari Leavitt headshot
Mari Leavitt, candidate for the House of Representatives in the 28th LD.

WEA-PAC members endorse Democrat Mari Leavitt for election to the Washington House of Representatives, Position 1, in Legislative District 28. The 28th Legislative District is in Pierce County, and contains a bit of Tacoma, Washington, and the cities of Fircrest, Washington, University Place, Washington, Lakewood, Washington, Steilacoom, Washington, and DuPont, Washington. It also contains Ketron Island, Anderson and McNeil Island.

Mari Leavitt is a longtime education leader, PTSA mom, and local small business owner who has dedicated her life to families, community, and opportunity.

At Pierce College, Tacoma Community College, Evergreen State College, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, Mari has helped local students with college readiness, access to higher education, and college and career success.

As the Deputy Director of Pierce County Human Services, Mari helped administer the County’s community-based programs from affordable housing and homelessness, youth violence prevention, early learning, behavioral health, and job training.

Mari, who grew up in a military family and was raised on bases, was also able to work on veteran issues at Pierce County Human Services. That work included health care, housing assistance, substance use disorder services, and support for veterans in need, as well as seniors, children, and adults with disabilities.

Mari and her husband have several children, and own an orthodontics practice in Lakewood and Yelm.

We asked candidates: "If you had one minute to convince teachers and support staff to vote for you, what would you tell them?"

Mari Leavitt speaking to WEA members
Mari Leavitt talks to WEA members about running for the legislature during a meeting at WEA headquarters.

This is Mari's answer:

 

I am running to be a more effective voice for the hard working families in our state.

I want to make sure students are given every opportunity to succeed. I’ll approach the challenges facing our state with comprehensive and common sense solutions. 

I’ve worked with schools my entire life, and I have the experience, education, and understanding to put students of all backgrounds first, to work alongside the educators who make their success possible, and to craft responsible funding plans that the legislature can actually take pride in.

My door will always be open to discuss how we can better ensure success for our students, and I’ll be sensitive to the variety of challenges facing our diverse student communities and education associations. I will never allow the state’s paramount duty to be compromised.

I am passionate about supporting veterans and their families, protecting healthcare, and fixing some of the wide ranging transportation issues facing the 28th District. My priorities as a legislator will come from the real issues in our state, not partisan politics. I have dedicated my life to family and community, and I’ll never stop fighting for students, teachers, veterans, families, and all those who make healthy, successful communities possible.

Thank you for your time; I hope to earn your support and endorsement!

The above statement is taken from Mari Leavitt's 2018 application for WEA-PAC endorsement.

See the mailer we sent WEA Members in LD 28.

Primary Mail LD 28 a

Primary Mail LD 28 b