Sharlett MenaServing

Sharlett Mena

State HouseDemocrat

WA-HD-29 State House

First-generation Mexican-American·State Representative, 29th District Position 2 (2023-present)

Why This Race Matters

Mena is running for the open State Senate seat in District 29 after veteran Sen. Steve Conway announced his retirement following 34 years in the legislature. Fellow Rep. Melanie Morgan (D-Spanaway) has endorsed her bid. If elected, Mena would bring her environmental justice and working-family advocacy from the House to the Senate.

Conway, 81, served 18 years in the House before winning the Senate seat in 2010. Mena declared candidacy for the State Senate primary and withdrew from her House re-election race. She won her 2024 House race with 93.8% of the vote (write-in opposition only) and originally won the seat in 2022 with 58.4%. No other candidates have publicly declared as of early 2026.

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

About

Sharlett Mena is a Washington State Representative for the 29th Legislative District, first elected in November 2022. The proud daughter of Mexican immigrants who worked as farmworkers in the Tri-Cities, she was the first in her family to graduate from college. A communications professional-turned-community organizer, Mena co-created Voter Turnup, a movement led by people of color to promote voter registration, cultural expression, and civic engagement. She has declared candidacy for the open State Senate seat in District 29 after veteran Sen. Steve Conway announced his retirement.

Family & Heritage

First-generation Mexican-American. Her parents emigrated from Mexico and worked as farmworkers, meeting while cutting meat at a plant near the Tri-Cities in eastern Washington. Sharlett grew up in a working-class family in the Tri-Cities and became the first in her family to graduate from college.

Political Career

Before Politics

Web Communications Manager for U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ, 2012-2013); Communications Director and Scheduler for U.S. Rep. Gene Green (D-TX, 2013-2016); Digital Director for Governor Jay Inslee's 2016 re-election campaign; Communications Specialist for WA State Senate Democratic Caucus; Deputy Director in Governor Inslee's office; Special Assistant to the Director, Washington State Department of Ecology

Education

B.A. in Communications and Philosophy, Washington State University (2011); Study Abroad, University College Cork, Ireland (2010); WeLead Leadership Development Program, American University Women in Politics Institute (2015)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Environmental justice and climate action
*Housing affordability and stability
*Working family empowerment and wages
*Voter registration and civic engagement
*Immigrant community support
*Utility shutoff protections during extreme weather

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