Edwin Obras immigrated to the United States as a child from the Philippines and was the first in his family to graduate from college.

He earned a B.A. from the University of Washington and later a Master of Public Administration from Northeastern University, reflecting his strong academic foundation.

Professionally, Edwin has over 25 years of experience in the human services field, working for nonprofit organizations in King County and for the City of Seattle.

He spent 17 years with Seattle’s Human Services Department, rising to the position of Deputy Division Director, and previously served as the division’s Budget and Policy Director and Contracts Manager.

His work in Seattle focused on critical social issues – homelessness, anti-hunger efforts, youth development, community safety, and supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Representative Edwin Obras just finished his first session in the Washington State Legislature. He’s a member of the Healthcare & Well-Being Committee, the Labor & Workforce Standards Committee, and the Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry Committee—demonstrating his strong focus on improving quality of life, protecting workers’ rights, and enhancing public safety.

In addition to his committee work, Edwin serves as Assistant Majority Whip.

In addition to his professional career, Edwin has been deeply involved in community service. He chaired the SeaTac Human Services Advisory Committee from 2016 to 2018, helping guide local human services policy. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Filipino Community of Seattle and was the board’s president for five years (since 2019). 

In that role, he has co-chaired a capital campaign to develop affordable housing for families, demonstrating a commitment to improving housing access in his community.

Edwin grew up in Seattle’s diverse Beacon Hill neighborhood and has emphasized that his lived experience as a Filipino American informs his public service and advocacy for marginalized communities. He is also a father to a young adult son, who is a graduate of the University of Washington.