Pramila Jayapal

Pramila Jayapal serves as the U.S. Representative for Washington's 7th Congressional District, encompassing most of Seattle. Born in India, she grew up internationally before coming to the U.S. at age 16, later attending Georgetown and Northwestern Universities. She holds the distinction of being the first South Asian American woman elected to the U.S. House and is a naturalized citizen. A committed progressive, she is Chair Emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and serves on the House Budget, Foreign Affairs, and Judiciary Committees, where she is the first immigrant to serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration. She has introduced legislation on education and LGBTQI rural outreach. Jayapal, who resides in West Seattle, is seeking re-election in 2026.