Manka Dhingra, an Indian American Democratic candidate for state Senate in Washington's 45th District, edged out her Republican counterpart, Jinyoung Lee Englund, Aug. 1 in the primary election. Dhingra said she intends to use her experience to expand and improve mental health and violence prevention, as well as protect the rights of women and immigrants in what she deems an “increasingly hostile political environment.” (electmanka.com photo)