| State house | Washington |
|---|---|
| District | 40th |
| Alongside | Alex Ramel |
| Term start | January 14, 2019 |
| Predecessor | Kristine Lytton |
| Party | Democratic |
| Birth date | February 26, 1971 (age 55) |
| Birth place | Yakutat, Alaska, U.S.[1] |
Debra E. Lekanoff (born February 26, 1971) is a Democratic member of the Washington Legislature representing the State's 40th House district for position 1. She is a member of the Tlingit tribe and was credited with being the first female tribal member to serve in the Washington House of Representatives.[2][3] However, Lois Stratton was actually the first female tribal member to serve in the Washington House of Representatives, starting her first term in 1979,[4][5] making Lekanoff the second female tribal member to serve in this position.
Career
Lekanoff won the election on 6 November 2018 from the platform of Democratic Party. She secured sixty-seven percent of the vote while her closest rival Republican Michael Petrish secured thirty-three percent.[6]
Lekanoff was the head sponsor of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's and People's Alert System, the first nationwide alert system for missing Indigenous people in the United States (House Bill 1725). On 31 March 2022, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed six bills into law, two of which focus on helping missing Indigenous people that will take effect June 9.[7]
Personal life
Lekanoff is a member of the Aleut and Tlingit tribe of Washington State.[8]
References
- ^ "Resolutions Introduced in 3 States to Designate 2019 as International Year of the Salmon". Alaska Native News. 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
- ^ "Representative-Elect Debra Lekanoff receives House committee assignments". The Press Pool. 2018-12-18. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Lekanoff Sworn-In as First Native American Woman to Serve in House". Washington State House Democrats. 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ Epperly, Emma (2020-09-15). "'Kindness, respect and compassion': Longtime state legislator Lois Stratton dies at 93". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "House Class Photos 1981". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Washington Election Results - Election Results 2018". The New York Times. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
- ^ "State's missing Indigenous people alert system will be first in the US". KIRO 7 News Seattle. 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
- ^ Legislature, the (2019-01-15). "Washington's Legislature this year looks more like the people it serves". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2025-08-10.