Pramila Jayapal

 

A progressive leader for Washington

     Pramila Jayapal was re-elected by Washington's 7th congressional district with 83% of the vote this past 2018 election - a clear sign that Washington voters are looking for a progressive agenda in DC, including Medicare for all, combating climate change, and immigration reform. Her work on the political spectrum began in 2001 as the founder of America One, an organization to address hate crimes and discrimination against immigrant communities of color. Jayapal stepped down as the executive director of America One in 2012 to run for the Washington State Senate where she served from 2014 to 2016. She will be up for re-election in 2020.

Special Interest Scoreboard

 

     During her 2016 run the NRA gave Jayapal a "F" rating, and received an ADA rating of 100% during her 2017 session, both solely reflecting her voting record on gun control issues. More recently, in the 115th congress, she aligned with the ACLU's positions on 97% of her votes. Among another myriad of endorsements and denouncements by special interest groups, came a whopping 0% from the National Right to Life Association, and a complimentary 100% from NARAL Pro Choice, and The Planned Parenthood Action Committee

Committee Assignments

     The House Budget Committee is primarily concerned with drafting a concurring resolution to define spending and revenue for the Federal Government. Her work on the committee also involves budget process laws, and tracks fiscal effects of legislation. Jayapal has served in the House Committee on the budget for both of her terms, alongside a few other well recognized political figures including Debbie Wassermann Shultz (115th Congress) , and Dan Crenshaw (116th Congress).

     Jayapal has also served on the House Judiciary Committee for both of her terms in the house, and is currently the vice chair on the subcommittee for Immigration & Citizenship - a fitting position given her history with America One. The Judiciary Committee oversees the federal courts, federal agencies, and law enforcement, although their subcommittees dive into more specific topics, such as antitrust & commercial law, counter-terrorism, and civil rights.


The People of Washington

*Data taken from the US Census & the Washington Department of Commerce

Estimated Population (2018) - 7,405,743

AGE
Persons 65 years and over - 15.1%

RACE
White - 79.5%
Black or African American - 4.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native - 1.9%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander - 0.8%
Asian - 8.9%
Two of More Races - 4.7%
Hispanic or Latino - 12.7%

EDUCATION
High School graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+ - 90.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+ - 34.5%

INCOME & POVERTY
Median Household Income - $66,174
Per capita income in past 12 months - $34,869
Persons in poverty - 11%

INDUSTRY
- Aerospace
- Agriculture
- Clean Energy Tech
- Forest Products

Campaign Financing

For her initial House run in 2016, Jayapal raised just over a million more dollars than the average raised by house members, largely due to an endorsement received by Bernie Sanders. In 2017 her fundraising looked a bit different, with only 20% from small individual contributions, 64% large individual contributions, 15% PAC contributions, and no self-funding. Her top contributors are Microsoft Corp at $28,000, the University of Washington with $27,000, and the National Education Association at $11,000.