About

Our Mission

The Washington Senate Members of Color Caucus (MOCC) envisions a state that recognizes that our strength is rooted in our diversity, a state that is committed to creating equal opportunities for all, including political representation for people of color, and a state that dedicates itself to advancing racial equity throughout the legislative process.

The mission of the Washington Senate Members of Color Caucus is to advocate for policies that advance the priorities of communities of color across Washington, remove institutional barriers that people of color face, create coalitions across racial lines, and increase civic participation and representation in all levels of government.

Members of Color of the Washington State Senate come from, and identify with, communities that are underrepresented in the legislative process. We understand that our voices as their Senators in those struggles are amplified when we join together for the common benefit of all our communities, and our state.

Our objective is to:

Fight for equity in economic, employment, and other opportunities for communities of color.
Create policy rooted in racial equity and justice.
Fight against racism, bigotry, and hate.
Protect the civil rights of everyone regardless of immigration status.
Create a support system for members, staff, interns of color and allies that work at the legislature.
Mentor all elected officials of color at every level of government.

Follow our work with real-time updates on Facebook at Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus (formerly titled Demócratas del Senado de Washington).

Our Members

Sen. Manka Dhingra

Deputy Majority Leader

45^th Legislative District – Redmond
Manka was elected to the state Senate in 2017 by constituents of the 45th District. She is a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and an anti-domestic violence advocate and community leader. She also serves on the board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Eastside.

Sen. Bob Hasegawa

Majority Caucus Chair

11^th Legislative District – Seattle
Bob is a longtime labor and social justice activist. He led many workers struggles, winning top wages and benefits for working families and retirees, and he collaborated in many social justice struggles to protect civil rights, democracy, the environment and our constitutional rights.

Sen. Claudia Kauffman

Leadership Liaison to Tribal Nations

47^th Legislative District – Kent
Sen. Claudia Kauffman was sworn into the Washington State Senate in January 2023. A resident of Kent for over 20 years, Kauffman previously served as the elected senator for the 47th District from 2007-11. Kauffman is a fierce advocate for legislation and policy to protect children, address equity, and improve public education in Washington. She currently serves as Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.

Sen. John Lovick

Vice President Pro Tempore

44^th Legislative District – Mill Creek
Sen. Lovick was appointed to the Senate in 2021. During his long career in public service, he's served on the Mill Creek City Council, House of Representatives, Snohomish County Sheriff and Snohomish County Executive. He was a 31 year veteran of the State Patrol and also spent 13 years in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Sen. Joe Nguyễn

Vice Chair, Ways & Means (Operating Budget)

34^th Legislative District – White Center
Sen. Joe Nguyễn was born in White Center, raised in Burien. His experiences growing up in an immigrant community as the son of Vietnamese refugees and being raised by a single mother informs much of his service today.

Sen. T’wina Nobles

Majority Caucus Whip

28^th Legislative District – Fircrest
Sen. T'wina Nobles brings two decades of experience in education and community leadership to her role as vice chair of the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee as well as vice chair of the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee. She also sits on the Transportation Committee and the Behavioral Health Subcommittee.

Sen. Emily Randall

Deputy Majority Leader

26^th Legislative District – Bremerton
Emily Randall is the daughter of two union workers and was born on the Kitsap Peninsula and raised in Port Orchard. She’s worked for ten years in health care and education fundraising and advocacy and in the Legislature plans to focus on affordable college, apprenticeship and job training programs, and removing health care barriers for Washingtonians. She was elected in 2018.

Sen. Rebecca Saldaña

Caucus Vice Chair

37^th Legislative District – Seattle
Rebecca was appointed to her seat in 2016. Known as a problem solver and tireless advocate, Rebecca most recently served as the Executive Director for Puget Sound Sage – a nonprofit that promotes affordable and equitable housing and transportation policies, environmental justice and workers’ rights.

Sen. Yasmin Trudeau

Vice Chair, Law & Justice

27^th Legislative District – Tacoma
Sen. Yasmin Trudeau was appointed to serve the 27th Legislative District on Nov. 2, 2021. Learn more about the senator and her appointment. Trudeau previously served as the legislative director for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.