Asian, Pacific Islander public officials talk representation at WWU panel

Three Washington state public officials spoke on the importance of representation in government Thursday morning at a Western Washington University-hosted panel for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month. 

Washington State Rep. Vandana Slatter, Washington State Sen. Manka Dhingra and King County District Court Judge Jude Fa’amomo (“Moi”) Masaniai took part of the third event of the three-day speaker series in partnership with local colleges, Bellingham Public Schools and the City of Bellingham. 

The panel was moderated by Anna Corinne Huffman, a WWU senior and the Washington Student Association Liaison of the Year.  

Washington’s Legislature has gotten markedly more diverse in recent years, and the panelists spoke on the benefit and impact of more diverse governing bodies.