Meet Carolina

As a Thurston County Commissioner, Carolina Mejia has built a record of working across party lines to get things done and strengthen the local economy. She led the development of the first USDA-certified meat processing facility in Western Washington, bringing good-paying jobs to the district while creating new opportunities for local ranchers and strengthening the region’s agricultural economy.

Carolina has focused on making investments that help communities grow, and families thrive. She championed a Community Workforce Agreement that created good-paying jobs and paid apprenticeships for local workers, and launched Thurston County’s Integrated Water Initiative, securing grant funding to improve water planning, infrastructure coordination, and salmon recovery. These efforts are helping build the infrastructure and workforce needed for long-term economic development in the region.

Carolina has also delivered practical results for families. During the national baby formula shortage, she helped reduce the cost of formula for local families. She helped found the Regional Housing Authority and established the countywide Home Fund to address high housing costs, expand affordable housing and help ensure that families and workers can afford to live in the communities where they work.

A working mom, immigrant and lifelong community advocate, Carolina understands the challenges facing families, workers, farmers and small businesses across the 35th District. Throughout her career, she has brought people together, listened to different perspectives and focused on finding practical solutions.

In Olympia, Carolina will bring that same approach to the State Senate. She will work across party lines to support local businesses and farmers, attract investment, create good-paying jobs, and fight to keep rural hospitals open and the costs of care down. She will work to make housing and child care more affordable, support working families and rural communities, and make sure state investments deliver real results for the people of the 35th District.

Carolina has lived in Olympia for 10 years with her husband and two daughters, who attend local public schools. She is an active volunteer and advocate and has worked with organizations including Centro de la Raza, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and Centro Integral Educativo Latino de Olympia.