Dhingra brings unique criminal prosecution expertise and proven legislative leadership– leading state initiatives to protect survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, pass stronger gun laws, safeguard reproductive rights, and improve criminal justice policies to better address root causes, reduce recidivism, and restore lives.

REDMOND, WASHINGTON– State Senator Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), Chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, Deputy Majority Leader of the Washington State Senate, and 20-year Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor has announced her campaign for State Attorney General. Democratic incumbent Bob Ferguson has announced that he will run for Governor. 

“Washington has never had an Attorney General with deep experience in criminal prosecution,” said Dhingra. “I began my legal career in the State Attorney General’s Office assisting with Sexually Violent Predator cases, and went on to a two decade career as a King County Deputy Prosecutor. I’ve put domestic abusers and child predators behind bars, prosecuted gun crimes, and confronted the blind spots in our justice system to improve accountability and reduce crime.” As a Crisis Intervention Trainer (CIT) at the Criminal Justice Training Commission for over a decade, she has been at the forefront of pushing for change in police culture. “I brought this experience to the State Senate to find bipartisan common ground to improve behavioral health interventions, protect seniors and kids from online predators, and protect survivors of gender based violence.”

In the State Senate, Dhingra has led efforts to protect survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence, strengthen gun laws, as well as advance criminal justice reforms and policies rooted in her experience as a prosecutor and advocate for behavioral health innovations. 

“I’ve spent my career in the courtroom and State Senate speaking out for people who too often have no voice,” said Dhingra. “I’ve led reforms to create veterans and mental health courts to make sure people get the treatment they need. I’ve written, sponsored, and passed laws to address gun violence, ban assault weapons and ghost guns. I’ve strengthened protection order laws so victims of abuse and their families can find solace and recovery. I’ve also secured the nation’s strongest privacy protections for sensitive reproductive and health care data.”

“I’m excited to take this next step in my legal and advocacy career, continuing to work for all the people of Washington State as we confront national challenges to voting and access to reproductive rights.  I’ll lead nationally on laws that safeguard worker rights, hold polluters accountable, and address the epidemic of gun violence.”

An award-winning PTSA mom and longtime advocate for kids and families, Dhingra enlisted a large and active “Teen Committee ” in her initial 2017 campaign. Involving youth has been a hallmark of her subsequent campaigns and she plans to do the same on her run for Attorney General.

“I believe strongly in engaging and empowering young people to participate in their future – to see not only the challenges facing their generation, but how they have the power to make things better,” said Dhingra. “More broadly, my commitment to youth is all about representation, creating opportunities for immediate impact and future leadership. We are asking a lot of young people coming out of a pandemic and facing dire threats of climate change, gun violence, and partisan attacks on their health care rights and voting rights. We must give the next generation a platform where they can be heard, and to help shape positive change.”

In addition to her past Golden Acorn Award for parent involvement and education support, Dhingra’s legislative work has been recognized and awarded by national and local advocates and experts across the spectrum of behavioral and physical health, law enforcement, and social justice, including 2019 Legislator of the Year from the Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs (WACOPS), 2021 Behavioral Health Champion from the Washington Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and last year’s Jacob K Javits Public Service Award, the highest award given to a public servant by the American Psychiatric Association.

Dhingra is especially proud of her 2022 NAACP Northwest Region President’s Award, presented “[i]n recognition of dedication and commitment to service towards the advancement of civil rights throughout Washington State. You exemplify the spirit of excellence and leadership with an extraordinary passion for justice and equity for all.” 

“I’m proud of the recognition I’ve received throughout my career, but it always takes the support of community to accomplish meaningful change and these awards are a testament to the people who believe in me and support our shared vision,” said Dhingra. “I am motivated every day to help improve the lives of all Washingtonians, regardless of what you look like, how you identify, or where you come from. As our next Attorney General, I’ll keep fighting– through official action and using my voice as a woman, immigrant, and mom. Challenging injustices and keeping our families and communities safe has always been my north star, and with the support of the people of our great state I’ll continue this work.”

Dhingra begins her campaign with the endorsement of leaders statewide, including:

State Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane)

State Senator Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver)

State Senator Bob Hasegawa (D-Tukwila)

State Senator Sam Hunt (D-Olympia)

State Senator Claudia Kauffman (D-Auburn)

State Senator Karen Keiser (D-Kent)

State Senator Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue)

State Senator Marko Liias (D-Mukilteo)

State Senator Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes)

State Senator John Lovick (D-Mill Creek)

State Senator Joe Nguyen (D-Seattle)

State Senator Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle)

State Senator Emily Randall (D-Gig Harbor)

State Senator June Robinson (D-Everett)

State Senator Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle)

State Senator Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham)

State Senator Derek Stanford (D-Bothell)

State Senator Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma)

State Senator Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island)

State Senator Claire Wilson (D-Auburn)

Former Senate Majority Leader Sharon Nelson (D-Vashon Island)

Former State Senator Mona Das (D-Covington)

State Representative Steve Bergquist (D-Tukwila)

State Representative Liz Berry (D-Seattle)

State Representative Lauren Davis (D-Shoreline)

State Representative Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland)

State Representative Mia Gregerson (D-SeaTac)

State Representative Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma)

State Representative Tina Orwall (D-Normandy Park)

State Representative Vandana Slatter (D-Bellevue)

State Representative Larry Springer (D-Kirkland)

State Representative Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver)

State Representative Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way)

State Representative My-Linh Thai (D-Bellevue)

State Representative Amy Walen (D-Kirkland)

Former State Representative Velma Veloria (D-Tukwila)

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu

King County Councilmember Claudia Balduccci

King County Councilmember Sarah Perry

Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young

Former King County Prosecutor Dan Satterburg 

Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson

Kirkland Mayor Penny Sweet

Redmond Mayor Angela Birney

Kirkland Councilmember Jay Arnold

Kirkland Councilmember Neal Black

Redmond Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer

Redmond Councilmember Jessica Forsythe

Renton Councilmember Kim-Khan Van

Sammamish Councilmember Rituja Indapure

Lake Washington School District Director Siri Bliesner

Judge Ann Levinson (ret.)

Judge Wesley St. Claire (ret.)

Former WA Democratic Party Chair and Seattle City Councilmember Tina Podlodowski

Manka and her husband, Harjit, live in Redmond and have two children. A native of India, Dhingra would be the first immigrant, first person of color, and only second woman to serve as Washington State Attorney General.