-I'm a first-generation Indian American,
a child of immigrants,
born and raised in the Pacific Northwest,
and would be the first South Asian woman
elected as judge in Seattle Municipal Court.
Seattle faces serious issues with recidivism,
chronic homelessness, and non-treated mental illness
that have not been addressed by the existing judges.
The only method to hold the court accountable
for its failure to act urgently in Seattle's interest
is to challenge the currently seated bench.
I'm running against a judge who, in my opinion,
is the most biased, ineffective,
and pro-prosecution judge on that bench.
My career as a public defender
was a crucible of constant interaction with the courts,
the prosecutors, defendants, and the community.
I've taken 11 criminal cases to trial and prepared hundreds
that were either dismissed or pleaded before seating a jury,
all to outcomes that were the best
I could obtain for my clients
and aligned with a profound respect for the law.
My experience taught me to understand
that every defendant, witness, and victim
is a human being with their own challenges
and struggles who may be triggered by the trauma
they have experienced in their life --
a compassionate perspective that is under-appreciated
by the existing bench.
I've practiced in district courts
in both Snohomish and King County,
and most recently in Seattle Municipal Court.
During this final 10-month stretch in Seattle,
I saw a dramatic rise in petty crimes of desperation,
exacerbated by untreated mental illness,
a decline in the services available to defendants
and their families and a disturbing unwillingness
by the court to acknowledge
or address the issues that truly drive misdemeanor crime.
I stand for compassion, fairness,
and restorative justice,
and I've received exclusive endorsements
from the King County Democrats,
the Young Democrats of King County,
the Democrats for Diversity and Inclusion,
the Women's Political Caucus,
the Democratic Legislative Districts
of the 46th, 37th, and 43rd, and more.
I believe this support reflects that the current court fails
to adequately support public safety,
has not earned the confidence of Seattle and must do better.
If elected, I will elevate the standard of judicial competence
and integrity in Seattle.
I would be honored to have your vote.