After 16 years in the state House, Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, 47th Legislative District, announced March 13 that he will retire from the Legislature at the end of his current term on Jan. 11, 2021.
Sullivan has served as House Majority Leader since 2010.
“Pat Sullivan’s 16 years in the Legislature have been defined by his steady, grounding leadership and his commitment to strengthening the foundation of our state: our education system from our youngest learners to workforce development,” said House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma. “He has made a lasting impact by negotiating state budgets that centered the people of our state and stood strong for an economy that works for everyone. Pat has always been an honest broker with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and his wise counsel and dedication to our caucus will be greatly missed.”
First elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004, Sullivan has focused much of his attention on education and economic development. He served as a budget negotiator since 2009 and helped craft budgets from the Great Recession through this past session.
“We made it through some difficult times,” Sullivan said in the news release. “But we always managed to come through it even stronger as a state.”
Sullivan worked on a number of issues during his years in the House, including early learning, higher education and transportation. His focus, however, has always been on helping kids to be successful.
“Creating the Department of Children, Youth & Families was a significant step in improving the lives of children across the state,” Sullivan said. “The agency is still in its fledgling stage, but I know it will be successful.”
Prior to serving in the Legislature, Sullivan served as the first mayor of Covington. He served as a legislative assistant in the House as well as the Senate, and also worked for the King County Council.
Sullivan and his wife, Amy, have three grown daughters who all graduated from Kent public schools, and one grandson.
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