While serving as a member of the
Shoreline City Council, Ryu was elected mayor in 2008, becoming the first female Korean-American mayor in the United States. Cindy was president of both the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and its Dollars For Scholars Chapter. She helped create Shoreline's Green Business Program. Following a loss in her candidacy for Shoreline
City Council, Ryu ran for a seat in the
Washington House of Representatives for the 32nd
legislative district in 2010. She faced Republican Art Coday and won the
general election with 61.02% of the vote, becoming the first Korean-American woman to hold office in that chamber. In 2012, Ryu was re-elected, winning 69.9% of the vote against Republican challenger Randy Hayden. In her sophomore term as representative, Ryu was elected by her peers as the vice chair of the Business and Financial Services Committee. She was chair of the House Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs Committee. In the 2016 election, Ryu defeated Republican challenger Alvin Rutlege, winning 76% of the vote. She was chair of the Members of Color Caucus and focused on increasing data privacy during her term as chair. In 2018, Ryu defeated Republican challenger Dio Boucsieguez, winning 75.8% of the vote. She was a member of the Appropriations committee. She also joined the Consumer Protection & Business committee. She chaired the Community and Economic Development Committee. In 2022, Ryu defeated Lori Theis, who was affiliated with the Election Integrity Party. Ryu won 82% of the vote. She is past Chair of Women In Government, a national organization of women state legislators. Ryu serves on the FCC Intergovernmental Advisory Committee and is the President of PNWER.org ==References==