25 years in human services. Six bills signed into law. Edwin Obras does the work in Olympia the same way he does it for South King County: he listens first, then gets to it.
Edwin Obras came to the U.S. from the Philippines as a kid and grew up on Beacon Hill in Seattle. First person in his family to graduate from college. He earned his degree in American Ethnic Studies at UW, then a Master of Public Administration at Northeastern.
He spent 18 years at the City of Seattle's Human Services Department, working his way from program specialist to Division Director. Homelessness, housing, anti-hunger programs, youth development, gun violence prevention and intervention, services for survivors of domestic violence. That was the job for more than two decades.
He's served as Board President of the Filipino Community of Seattle and co-chaired their affordable housing capital campaign. He chaired the SeaTac Human Services Advisory Committee. And in December 2024, the King County Council appointed him to the state House.
He's the Assistant Majority Whip. He received the "Rookie of the Year" award from FairVote Washington and the Voices For Fairness award from Teamsters Local 117.
The committees Edwin serves on reflect the community issues he cares about: Labor, Healthcare and Community Safety.
Edwin's legislative priorities come from 25 years of hearing what people actually need.
Your rent went up $400. Your paycheck didn't. Edwin has pushed for rent increase caps, legislation to limit excessive home buying that prices out first-time buyers, and co-chaired an affordable housing capital campaign. The $30 million he secured for the district includes real housing development funding.
Three of Edwin's signed-into-law bills protect workers: isolated employee safety, transportation network company regulation, and expanding background check requirements. He was the prime sponsor of HB 2422, which helps alleviate the costs of licensing fees for security guards. He's also fighting to stop credit card companies from skimming workers' tips and to strengthen asbestos safety training.
Edwin's background check bill and peace officer false identification bill are both law now. He's working on jail system reform, community safety liability standards, and gift card fraud prevention. His approach comes from years working with survivors and communities dealing with violence.
His district funding includes major behavioral health investment. His nursing title protection bill is law. He's working on nursing assistant regulation and plasma donation oversight. Edwin wants to use his professional background to expand statewide access to mental health resources.
Edwin didn't go to Olympia to give speeches. He went to pass bills. Here's what he got done in the 2025–26 session.
Edwin also sponsored 10 additional bills currently in committee and co-sponsored 241 bills across both sessions.
Your donation keeps Edwin's team working in Olympia and in the district. Every dollar goes toward the kind of representation the 33rd deserves: someone who does the work.
