Committee hears five gubernatorial appointees for Public Disclosure Commission and Washington State Women’s Commission

The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee on Feb. 11 heard five gubernatorial appointments: James Oswald for the Public Disclosure Commission and four nominees to the Washington State Women’s Commission — Allison Ford Holub, Yolanda King Lowe, Malia Mullen (Rosiah) and Christina Cobdish.

Each nominee provided sworn testimony under Senate Rule 69. James Oswald, appearing remotely, described a long career in campaign finance and election-related law, said he retired from the bar at the end of 2023 and said the Public Disclosure Commission is working to manage a high volume of administrative complaints and to simplify and better-target administrative processes. Oswald told the committee he did not see outstanding statutory changes the commission needed from the Legislature right now but said the PDC was working internally to balance administrative complaint resolution and when the commission should be more involved in formal proceedings.

Allison Ford Holub described her background in government affairs and public policy, her work as senior public policy manager for Uber Technologies in the Pacific Northwest, and her volunteer work on pay-equity events including the Commission’s Activate 3.8 pay equity tour. She said she is a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and lives in Tacoma.

Yolanda King Lowe said she has worked in health care for most of her career, is secretary-treasurer of SEIU Healthcare 1199 Northwest, has worked at Swedish Hospital and serves as a racial-justice facilitator. She said her lived experience as a Black woman and health-care professional informs her approach to equity and inclusion on the commission.

Malia Mullen (Rosiah) described long-term residency in Washington state, her work with the Commission’s economic safety and security committee, and her role as executive director of Dress for Success Seattle, which provides clothing, career services, digital-literacy and financial-education programs.

Christina Cobdish said she was first appointed to the commission in 2021, serves as vice chair and co-chair of the economic security and opportunity committee, and works as chief strategy officer at Unity Care Northwest. She noted recent commission work including the 2023–24 biannual report and the 2025–26 strategic plan.

Committee members asked clarifying questions in a cordial exchange. For example, committee members asked Mullen to confirm availability for day meetings — she said she would review and correct an application entry she believed may have been an error and would follow up with staff. Senators and the chair thanked each nominee for service; hearings were closed and no committee confirmation votes were recorded in the Feb. 11 transcript.