AGC’s BUILD PAC endorses Jinyoung Lee Englund for key State Senate spot
In one of the most consequential state legislative races in decades, AGC’s BUILD PAC has endorsed Jinyoung Lee Englund for the 45th District State Senate seat.
A special election will be held this year in November to fill the 45th District seat that was once held by the late Andy Hill; Sen. Dino Rossi was appointed to fill-out the remainder of the term but is not running for the seat permanently.
Photo: Sean Woerman and Brett Ferullo visit with 45th District Senate candidate Jinyoung Lee Englund on May 7.
The balance of power hinges on this race; currently the Majority Coalition Caucus (24 Republicans plus Democrat Tim Sheldon) holds a one-vote majority in the State Senate, so if the Democrat candidate Manka Dhingra were to win, Senate control would “flip” and Democrats would control the House, Senate and Governor’s mansion.
“I can’t overstate how important this race is to the construction industry,” said AGC’s BUILD PAC chairman Brett Ferullo (Northwest Construction). “Just this year alone, the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus has kept the most anti-business ideas from becoming a reality – from the House Democrats’ 20% B&O tax-increase proposal, to Senate Democrats’ desire to enact a state income tax, to the Governor’s irrational and costly Ecology solid-waste handling rule. If the 45th District seat flips, there will be no bulwark against new taxes and excessive business regulations.”
Jinyoung recently met with BUILD PAC Senior Council members Brett Ferullo (Northwest Construction) and Sean Woerman (Lydig) as well as AGC staff David D’Hondt, Jerry VanderWood, Michele Willms and Sean Lewis at Lydig offices in Bellevue. Jinyoung described her priorities to increase school funding, improve policies for the developmentally disabled, reduce traffic congestion, and balance the state budget without a new state income tax.
A graduate of the University of Washington, Jinyoung is the daughter of immigrants, a second-generation military spouse, and entrepreneur who resides in Woodinville, Washington.
“Our family’s story is the embodiment of the American Dream,” she said. “Our grandparents and parents survived the Korean War and in 1975, were fortunate to be able to immigrate to Washington state. While we can never repay the gift of opportunity and life we have received as Americans, we believe it is our duty to pay it forward through public service.”
Jinyoung’s father retired after 21 years of honorable service and her brother is active duty, both with the U.S. Army. Jinyoung’s husband is an active duty Marine who has served 17 years of combined enlisted and commissioned service to date. Jinyoung’s passion for creating educational and economic opportunities has led her to serve with a nonprofit in southeast Africa and as a speaker, contributor, and advisor on technology and innovation for startups and for commanding officers in the United States Marine Corps.
“I strongly encourage all AGC members to get to know Jinyoung and to support her in any way they can,” Ferullo said.
Find out more about Jinyoung and ways to help her campaign by visiting her website here.