Instead of focusing on a topic like a potential state income tax that is not even a current topic of discussion in Olympia, Manka Dhingra has properly focused her campaign on the issues that matter to the Eastside.

One of those issues has been education. Education is going to be a priority for our new state senator from the 45th Legislative District. I believe it is crucial for our new representative to have personally experienced the Eastside’s educational system firsthand as a parent. Manka is a parent of two children in the Lake Washington School District and an awarded PTSA parent volunteer.

Contrast that with her competitor in the race, Jinyoung Englund, who only last spring moved to the district, has no children in public schools and has limited personal experience understanding the views and needs of the 45th District.

Manka has lived in Redmond for more than 21 years and with that, she has gained a broad understanding and a valuable perspective on what is important to her future Eastside constituents. Her time spent as a prosecutor for King County has also added to Manka’s toolbox.

The 45th District needs a representative who is prepared, understands what’s locally important and will prioritize education, and I believe that representative is Manka Dhingra.

Blair Busenbark,

Redmond