Representative My-Linh Thai

My-Linh Thai is a Democratic State Representative from Washington's 41st Legislative District, which encompasses the city of Mercer Island, Newcastle, parts of Bellevue, Issaquah, and Sammamish, and the town of Bozart. She is the first refugee elected to serve in the Washington State House of Representatives.

Thai immigrated to Washington state at the age of 15 with her family as a Vietnamese refugee. She has lived in the district with her family for over a decade. Her husband, Don, is a neurologist at Valley Medical Center, and their two children have recently graduated college.

Prior to her legislative career, Thai worked as a practicing pharmacist and served as a King County patient health advocate and medical interpreter. She and her husband built a successful pediatric neurology practice in Casper, Wyoming, and she later co-taught Vietnam's first nursing graduate program.

Education

Thai graduated with honors from Federal Way High School and earned her degree from the University of Washington School of Pharmacy.

Political Experience

Thai began her public service through education advocacy. She served as a PTSA parent volunteer and received the Washington State PTA Outstanding Advocate Award in 2013. She was elected as a School Board Director for the Bellevue School District and later served as President of the Bellevue School Board. She was also elected Vice President of the Washington State School Board Directors Association in 2017.

In her current role as State Representative, Thai serves as Deputy Majority Leader of the House Democratic Caucus and sits on the Appropriations, Civil Rights & Judiciary, Health Care & Wellness, and Rules Committees. Notable legislative achievements include sponsoring the Working Families Tax Exemption, a tax refund program for Washington families in need.