Washington’s Shasti Conrad makes history as 1st South Asian American DNC vice chair

Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad secured a historic victory on Friday, becoming the first South Asian American to hold an officer position in the Democratic National Committee’s national leadership.

How she did it: Conrad beat Oklahoma DNC member Kalyn Free in the runoff, securing 225 votes (about 56%) from the 402 ballots submitted. The contest was a repeat of February elections that were overturned after Free challenged the process for violating gender balance requirements. Balloting ran Wednesday through Friday, which Conrad described as “the longest election in DNC history.” Conrad will serve alongside Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who retained his vice chair position Saturday after David Hogg declined to run again following controversy over his announced plans to back primary challengers against Democratic incumbents.

About Conrad: Conrad, 40, is in her second term heading Washington’s Democratic Party and often references her upbringing by a single mother employed in a public sector union job when discussing policy. An Indian-born naturalized citizen, she frames her immigrant experience as a counternarrative to anti-immigrant messaging from the Trump administration. Conrad has worked in Democratic politics for nearly 20 years, including positions with then-Vice President Joe Biden and in the Obama White House’s Office of Civic Engagement. DNC Chair Ken Martin lauded Conrad for being a “trailblazer” who helped Washington become “the only state in the country to buck a red wave across the ballot.”

What’s next: Conrad is now set to help develop party strategy for the 2026 midterm elections and craft responses to the Trump administration. In a statement shared with The Rebel Yellow, she emphasized her focus on engaging young voters and representing AAPI interests. “As a millennial, I’m committed to creating more opportunities for young people to get involved and become the leaders of today — not just tomorrow,” she said, adding her determination to ensure AAPIs “have a seat at every table where decisions are made.” She previously argued that Democrats should examine Washington state’s electoral success as a potential model for other states.