Marilyn Strickland Bio
Marilyn Strickland (born September 25, 1962) is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the U.S. representative for Washington’s 10th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she has held office in the U.S. House of Representatives since January 3, 2021. Born in Seoul and raised in Tacoma, she is recognized as a trailblazer in American politics, holding several historic firsts related to her background and representation.
Before her time in Congress, Strickland built a career in both the private sector and local government. She served two terms as the 38th mayor of Tacoma from 2010 to 2018, and earlier led the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Her professional journey has spanned insurance, retail, telecommunications, and civic leadership.
Early Life and Background
Marilyn Strickland was born on September 25, 1962, in Seoul, South Korea. She is the daughter of Inmin Kim, who is Korean, and Willie Strickland, an African-American serviceman. Her family moved to Tacoma, Washington, in 1967 after her father was stationed at Fort Lewis. Growing up in Tacoma’s South End neighborhood, she attended Mount Tahoma High School, where she completed her secondary education.
Strickland went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from the University of Washington. She later completed a Master of Business Administration at Clark Atlanta University, expanding her academic foundation in business and leadership. Her multicultural upbringing, combined with her education, helped shape her path into public service and commerce.
Path to U.S. Politics
After graduating from the University of Washington, Strickland began her professional career with clerical work at Northern Life Insurance. A chance meeting with Seattle Mayor Norm Rice at a luncheon encouraged her to pursue further education, leading her to earn her MBA at Clark Atlanta University. With her graduate degree in hand, she joined Starbucks as a manager of its online business, gaining experience in the private sector.
She later helped launch the City of Tacoma’s public broadband cable service, Click!, working alongside an advertising agency to build public support for the project. Strickland then transitioned into elected office, serving on the Tacoma City Council for two years before being selected as mayor. Her path from corporate work to city leadership reflected a steady progression rooted in community engagement and economic development.
Marilyn Strickland Career
Early Career (Post-Graduation to 2009)
Strickland’s early professional years were marked by roles in insurance, retail, and emerging technology. After her time at Northern Life Insurance and Starbucks, she contributed to the launch of Click!, Tacoma’s municipal broadband service, helping grow public support for the initiative. These positions gave her insight into both business operations and public-sector projects.
She then entered elected office as a member of the Tacoma City Council, where she served for two years. Her council work prepared her for higher leadership and built a record on local issues that would later support her mayoral campaign.
Tacoma Mayor Era (2010–2018)
In 2010, Marilyn Strickland was selected to serve as the 38th mayor of Tacoma, a position she held for two terms until 2018. She made history as the first Asian-born elected mayor of Tacoma and the first African-American woman to hold the office. During her tenure, she used her international connections in China and Vietnam to attract foreign investors to the city, a strategy that culminated in a visit by Chinese president Xi Jinping to Tacoma.
Her mayoralty was not without challenges. In May 2010, the Tacoma Board of Ethics sanctioned Strickland for accepting frequent flyer miles from a local businessman for an official trip to Asia. She accepted the sanction and returned the value of the miles. Despite the episode, she continued to lead the city and build relationships that supported Tacoma’s economic growth.
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (2018–Early 2020)
After leaving the mayor’s office, Strickland was approached by the pro-business Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to serve as its president. In this role, she represented a wide range of regional employers and advocated for policies that supported economic development. She also publicly opposed the Seattle head tax, aligning herself with business interests during a contentious local debate.
Her time at the Chamber of Commerce reinforced her reputation as a political moderate or centrist, a label frequently applied to her throughout her career. This period positioned her for a return to elected office at the federal level.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2021–Present)
Strickland left the Chamber in early 2020 to run for Washington’s 10th congressional district, a seat being vacated by incumbent Denny Heck. She earned endorsements from several politicians and newspapers, and in the August 4 jungle primary, she placed first among 19 candidates. She and the second-place finisher, Democratic state representative Beth Doglio, advanced to the November general election.
In the November general election, Strickland defeated Doglio and assumed office on January 3, 2021. As a member of the 117th United States Congress, she became the Pacific Northwest’s first Black U.S. representative and one of the first three Korean-American women elected to Congress, alongside Republicans Young Kim and Michelle Park Steel, who began their terms on the same day. She wore a traditional hanbok to her swearing-in ceremony to honor her mother. According to a FiveThirtyEight analysis, Strickland voted with President Joe Biden’s stated position 100 percent of the time during the 117th Congress.
Notable Events and Milestones
Strickland’s career includes several signature milestones, from her groundbreaking tenure as mayor of Tacoma to her historic election to Congress. She is the first member of the United States Congress of both Korean and African-American heritage, and the first African-American member elected from Washington State. Her swearing-in ceremony, marked by a traditional hanbok, reflected the personal heritage she brings to national office.
Marilyn Strickland Career Wins
Marilyn Strickland’s political career features a series of verified electoral and leadership victories. She served two terms as mayor of Tacoma, won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020, and has continued to represent Washington’s 10th congressional district. Her wins reflect steady advancement from local council service to the national stage.
Congressional Highlights
Strickland’s most significant victory came in the 2020 election for Washington’s 10th congressional district. She placed first in a crowded jungle primary field of 19 candidates and went on to defeat Democratic state representative Beth Doglio in the November general election. Taking office on January 3, 2021, she has continued to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Other Wins & Achievements
Before her congressional win, Strickland was selected to serve as the 38th mayor of Tacoma, a position she held from 2010 to 2018. She also earned a reputation for attracting international investment to Tacoma, including a notable visit from Chinese president Xi Jinping. Her role as president of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce further demonstrated her standing in the regional business community.
Marilyn Strickland Family
Family Background and Heritage
Marilyn Strickland was born to Inmin Kim, a Korean woman, and Willie Strickland, an African-American serviceman. Her parents’ combined heritage made her the first member of Congress of both Korean and African-American descent. The family settled in Tacoma’s South End neighborhood in 1967, where she was raised and educated.
Personal Life
Strickland is married to Patrick Erwin. She is a Protestant, and her personal faith has been a quiet part of her public identity. She has continued to honor her Korean heritage, most visibly by wearing a hanbok at her congressional swearing-in ceremony as a tribute to her mother.