Lillian Ortiz-SelfServing

Lillian Ortiz-Self

State HouseDemocrat

WA-HD-21 State House

Age 66·Latina (specific national heritage not publicly documented; born in New York; identifies as Latina; founding chair of WA Latino Democratic Caucus and Secretary of National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators)·Washington State Representative, HD-21 Position 2 (2014-present)

Why This Race Matters

Ortiz-Self is the founding chair of the first-ever Washington State Latino Democratic Caucus and one of the most influential Latina legislators in the Pacific Northwest. As Majority Caucus Chair, she holds one of the most powerful positions in the WA House. She was the only Latina in the legislature when first appointed in 2014; a decade later, the caucus she built has 11 members.

Running for re-election in 2026 (primary August 4, 2026). Won 2024 re-election with 67.3% over Kristina Mitchell. Current term ends January 2027. Has won every general election since 2016 with 62%+ of the vote.

Key dates to watch: Primary on August 4, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Lillian Ortiz-Self is a Democratic State Representative for Washington's 21st Legislative District (Edmonds, Mukilteo, south Everett), first appointed in January 2014 by the Snohomish County Council and re-elected six consecutive times. Born in New York in 1960, she is a trained mental health counselor and school counselor who has worked across child-serving systems in Missouri, Illinois, and Washington. She founded the first-ever Washington State Latino Democratic Caucus in February 2023 — a historic milestone as the only Latina in the legislature when she first took office a decade earlier — and serves as the Majority Caucus Chair in the House Democratic leadership.

Family & Heritage

Born in New York in 1960. Married to Clayton Self. Mother of three: Leanna (Columbia University graduate), Tyler (mechanical engineer), and Kayla (law student in New York). Has lived in Mukilteo, Washington for over a decade. Learned from her mother about the importance of helping the community be successful.

Political Career

Before Politics

School counselor, Everett Public School District (2000-present, concurrent with legislative service); Clinical Director, Tri-City Mental Health Center, Missouri; Regional Coordinator, Illinois State Board of Education; Education Advisor, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services; Founder and Director, Comunidad Unida (CU) Project — a center serving Latino families and youth; Co-founder, Latin Image Club at Everett High School; Founder, Neema Counseling; Commissioner and Chair, Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs (five years under Gov. Christine Gregoire)

Education

M.P.A. (Public Administration) from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa; M.A. in Counseling from Drake University; National Board Certified Mental Health Counselor

Key Issues & Priorities

*Education funding and class size reduction
*Closing the educational opportunity gap for students of color and low-income families
*Free school meals expansion (HB 1238, adding 90,000 students)
*Mental health services for children and families
*Transportation investment
*Public safety
*Support for seniors, veterans, and struggling families
*Voting rights enhancement (HB 1048, strengthening WA Voting Rights Act)
*Legal financial obligations reform (HB 1169)
*Protecting utility access during extreme weather (HB 1329)

Notable Legislation

HB 1048 - Voting Rights Act Enhancement

Key advocate for Latino Democratic Caucus 2023 legislative agenda

HB 1169 - Legal Financial Obligations Reform

HB 1238 - Free School Meals

Free school meals for 90,000+ students

HB 1329 - Utility Shutoff Protections

Utility shutoff protections during extreme heat

Educational Opportunity Gap Legislation

Co-chair of oversight committee

Mental Health Services Expansion

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