Tanisha Harris is the first Democrat to announce she will run for a 17th Legislative District House seat, joining a crowded field of Republicans vying for the spot being vacated by Rep. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver. Wilson plans to run for the Senate.
Harris, who has lived her entire life in the 17th Legislative District, said she understands the community and families who live in east Vancouver.
“I truly believe the people need someone who reflects their values and beliefs and is one of them,” Harris said.
She is making her first bid for public office. Harris said that, if elected, she would have an open-door policy and represent the entire district.
“I’m a Democrat, but when it comes to new taxes, this district has said no in many different ways, they’ve said no to new taxes, and as a representative, you need to honor and respect that,” Harris said.
Harris currently works for YWCA Clark County as a program specialist for the Court Appointed Special Advocate program, or CASA.
“We work toward reunification with kids and their parents, and if reunification is not possible, we do everything we can to advocate and find the kids their permanent home, a caring home,” Harris said.
The 39-year-old previously worked for Evergreen Public Schools as a multicultural youth coordinator and coordinator of personnel and equity programs. She attended Washington State University Vancouver and earned a bachelor’s degree in social science.
She decided to run for office, she said, because it seemed to be a perfect opportunity for a “fresh face” for the 17th Legislative District.
Republicans vying for the seat include Sam Kim, who is Clark County’s chief information officer, Jerry Oliver, a Port of Vancouver commissioner, and Vicki Kraft, who works for the Freedom Foundation.
Harris said her background, in education and in working for social justice programs, would bring a unique and balanced perspective to the position.
In the upcoming legislative session, lawmakers are expected to be tasked with finally ending the overreliance on local school levies and more adequately funding the state’s public schools.
“All lawmakers, on both sides of the aisle, will have to come together and have to compromise,” Harris said of school funding discussions. “There will have to be some give and take, and some hard, courageous conversations.”
