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Kirsten Harris-Talley
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 37th district
In office January 11, 2021 – January 9, 2023Serving with Sharon Tomiko Santos
Preceded by	Eric Pettigrew
Succeeded by	Chipalo Street
Member of the Seattle City Council, At-large Position 8
In office October 6, 2017 – November 28, 2017
Preceded by	Tim Burgess
Succeeded by	Teresa Mosqueda
Personal details
Born	1979 (age 44–45) Chilhowee, Missouri, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	2
Education	School of the Art Institute of Chicago (AA) University of Washington (BA)

Kirsten Harris-Talley (born 1979) is an American politician who served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 37th legislative district.

Early life and education

Harris-Talley was born in Chilhowee, Missouri and moved to Warrensburg, Missouri after her parents divorced. She earned an associate degree in fine and studio arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences, law, and economics from the University of Washington.

From 2001 to 2012, Harris-Talley was the program manager of Cardea Services, a Seattle-based non-profit.

Seattle City Council

She served for 51 days as a member of the Seattle City Council in 2017, following the appointment of Tim Burgess as mayor. She was appointed on October 6, 2017, and was succeeded by Teresa Mosqueda following the certification of election results on November 28. While in office, she co-sponsored and later voted for one of the first versions of the Seattle head tax, a bill that was rejected by the full council.

After leaving the city council, Harris-Talley was appointed to the Progressive Revenue Task Force, which was tasked with creating a new progressive tax similar to the Head Tax that she voted for. Later, she became the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington.

WA State Representative

2020 Election

In February 2020, Harris-Talley announced that she would be running for Washington House of Representatives 37th district position 2, after Eric Pettigrew announced he would not seek reelection. She would run a progressive social justice oriented campaign, advocating for universal healthcare and childcare, green infrastructure, and auditing the Washington State Department of Corrections.

In the August 2020 primary election, Harris-Talley was in first with 51.18% of the vote, with Chukundi Salisbury coming in second with 23.07%.

In the general election, Harris-Talley won in a landslide against Salisbury, 65.52% to 33.17%.

Tenure

She was the first out, Black, queer femme to serve in the Washington State Legislature.

While in office, she sponsored and helped pass legislation focused on police reform and reproductive access with doulas.

In 2022, Harris-Talley announced she would not seek reelection, citing a toxic work place in the legislature and the process surrounding the vote on HB 2037, which would modify the standard for use of force by police officers.

Activism

In 2016, Harris-Talley worked with No New Youth Jail, a youth-led abolitionist movement, and on a campaign to “Block the Bunker”, opposing the proposed North Seattle Police Precinct.

Personal life

Harris-Talley identifies as queer. She and her husband, Jason, have two children.

References

1. Janes, Carol Sue (March 9, 2021). "Kirsten Harris-Talley (1979- ) •". Retrieved March 26, 2021.
2. "An Abolitionist in Olympia: How Kirsten Harris-Talley Became the 37th District's New Legislator". South Seattle Emerald. November 13, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
3. "Kirsten Harris-Talley". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
4. Beekman, Daniel (October 6, 2017). "Seattle City Council chooses activist Kirsten Harris-Talley for temporary seat". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
5. McKnight, Matt M. (November 28, 2017). "The 51-day City Council member". Crosscut.com. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
6. Norimine, Hayat (October 26, 2017). "Council Members Hold Heated Discussion on Head Tax". Seattle Met. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
7. ^ Hsieh, Steven (December 19, 2017). "Here Are the People Tasked With Figuring Out a New Progressive Tax For Seattle". The Stranger. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
8. ^ Emerald Staff (February 1, 2020). "Announcing Run for State Legislature, Kirsten Harris-Talley Promises Public Policy Mirroring Community Needs". South Seattle Emerald. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
9. Van Streefkerk, Mark (August 4, 2020). "2020 Primary Election Night Round Up: Santos and Harris-Talley top Vote-Getters in 37th District, Advance to November's General Election With Stafford and Salisbury". South Seattle Emerald. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
10. "August 4, 2020 Primary". King County Elections. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
11. "November 3, 2020 General Election". King County Elections. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
12. ^ Van Streefkerk, Mark (November 13, 2020). "An Abolitionist in Olympia: How Kirsten Harris-Talley Became the 37th District's New Legislator". South Seattle Emerald. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
13. "HB 1881 - 2021-22". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
14. ^ Harris-Talley, Kristen (March 29, 2022). "Kirsten Harris-Talley: Why I Am Not Seeking Reelection". South Seattle Emerald. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
15. "Kirsten Harris-Talley, A Queer Black State Rep Candidate". Autostraddle. August 12, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
16. "What did Seattle's 51-day council member bring to the City?". Atavist. November 27, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2021.

• Living people
• African-American state legislators in Washington (state)
• Politicians from Seattle
• 1979 births
• People from Warrensburg, Missouri
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago alumni
• University of Washington alumni
• Democratic Party members of the Washington House of Representatives
• 21st-century members of the Washington State Legislature
• LGBTQ state legislators in Washington (state)
• 21st-century African-American politicians
• 20th-century African-American politicians