My-Linh Thai

My-Linh Thi Thai (; born January 18, 1968) is an American politician and pharmacist who serves in the Washington State House of Representatives representing the 41st district in King County. Thai, a Vietnamese immigrant who lives in Bellevue, served as a school board member prior to her election in 2018, replacing retiring legislator Judy Clibborn.

Early life and career My-Linh Thai was born in Da Lat and raised by her grandparents on the Mekong Delta. She immigrated to the United States in 1983 as a refugee and reunited with several family members who had fled earlier.

She arrived in the Seattle area at the age of 15 and enrolled at Federal Way High School despite not knowing English. Thai graduated from the University of Washington School of Pharmacy and worked as a practicing pharmacist in Billings, Montana, before moving with her family to Bellevue, Washington, in 2008. She has also worked as a medical interpreter for Vietnamese immigrants and returned to the country to teach one of the first graduate nursing programs in Vietnam.

She became involved in the Somerset parent teacher student association (PTSA) shortly after moving to the city, during a sabbatical from her work as a pharmacist. Thai took 43 percent of the vote in the primary election, advancing to the general election alongside Republican Michael Appleby.

Thai was elected in the general election on November 6, 2018, winning 65 percent of the vote over Appleby's 35 percent. She became one of the first two Vietnamese American legislators to be elected to the Washington State Legislature, alongside Joe Nguyen from the 34th district. Additionally, she was Washington state's first refugee legislator. Thai announced her resignation from the school board the following day. She was sworn in on January 14, 2019, wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress.

Thai served as Washington's representative during the roll call at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, recording a message from Seattle.

2022 Thai ran for re-election. She faced Republican and aircraft engineer Al Rosenthal. Thai won re-election with 68.43% of the vote.

Committee assignments

During the 2021-2022 legislative session, Thai was assigned to the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee and the House Finance Committee.

Personal life Thai's husband is Don Thai, a neurologist at the Valley Medical Center in Renton. They have two children and reside in Bellevue, Washington.