Marko Liias
| Marko Liias | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Liias in 2011. | |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 21st district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Brian J. Sullivan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 17, 1981 Edmonds, Wash. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Domestic partner | Michael King |
| Residence | Edmonds, Wash. |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University University of Washington |
| Website | markoliias.com |
Marko Liias (born July 17, 1981) is an American politician from Washington. He is currently a Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 21st legislative district. The district, located entirely within Snohomish County, encompasses portions of Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace, as well as his hometown of Mukilteo and his native Edmonds.[1]
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[edit] Early life and education
Liias graduated from Kamiak High School in Mukilteo before attending Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he served as the president of the Georgetown University College Democrats. While in university, he spent a semester studying in Prague, Czech Republic, during which time he traveled extensively through central Europe. He has also taken graduate courses in public administration at the University of Washington in Seattle.[2]
[edit] Political career
[edit] As city councilman
At the age of 24, Liias was elected to Mukilteo City Council in November 2005, running unopposed. He had previously served on the Snohomish County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board from 2003 to 2004, and as a member of the Snohomish County Board of Equalization from 2004 to 2006. As a city councilman, he also served as an alternate board member for Community Transit, and as a representative to the Puget Sound Regional Council.[3]
[edit] As state representative
When Rep. Brian Sullivan was elected to Snohomish County Council in November 2007, he resigned his seat in the Washington State Legislature. The Democratic precinct committee officers (PCOs) from the 21st district had the opportunity of selecting his successor, subject to the county council's ratification. With 21 votes, Liias was their first choice, defeating Lynnwood city councilman Mark Smith (16 votes) and Snohomish County Labor Council president Darrell Chapman (15 votes).[3] The council voted unanimously to confirm the choice of the PCOs and appointed Liias to the seat.[4]
Liias was elected to a full term in November 2008, receiving nearly 64% of the vote. He did not face a Democratic primary challenge but was challenged by a Republican, 18-year old Andrew Funk, in the general election.[5] Liias prevailed easily.
In his first full term, Liias was selected as the Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee, one of three budget-writing committees in the House of Representatives. He was also selected to serve on the influential Rules Committee, which plays a critical gatekeeping role in the legislative process. Liias served on three other committees: Education, Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Community & Economic Development & Trade.
In 2010, Liias was challenged by Republican Elizabeth Scott from Edmonds and won re-election with 54% of the vote. In January 2011, Liias was reappointed as Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee, and he was appointed to the Education Committee and the Technology, Energy and Communications Committee.
Liias is one of six openly gay members of the Washington State Legislature, alongside Senator Ed Murray (D–Seattle) and Representatives Jim Moeller (D–Vancouver), Jamie Pedersen (D–Seattle), Dave Upthegrove (D–Des Moines) and Laurie Jinkins (D–Tacoma).[6]
Liias, who is of Finnish descent, speaks Finnish.[7]
[edit] Congressional candidate
On August 2, 2011, Liias announced he would be a candidate in 2012 for the 1st district seat in the U.S. House held by Congressman Jay Inslee, who is retiring to run to succeed Christine Gregoire as Washington's governor.[8]
As a result of Washington's decennial redistricting process (and the addition of a tenth congressional district), Liias's home was moved out of the 1st congressional district. Liias responded by dropping his congressional campaign on December 29, 2011, and announcing he would seek re-election to the legislature in 2012.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ "Washington State Legislature: 21st district". http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Results.aspx?District=21. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ "Rep. Marko Liias - Biography". 2007-12-21. http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/liias/bio.asp. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
- ^ a b "Democrats tap Liias for Sullivan's seat". Lynnwood Enterprise. 2007-12-21. http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20071221/ETP03/180251179/0/EVENTS&template=ETPZoneLTart. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ Chris Fyall. "County Council Appoints Marko Liias to State Legislature". Mukilteo Beacon. http://www.mukilteobeacon.com/11608liias.html. Retrieved 2008-01-23.[dead link]
- ^ "Republicans challenge Legislative incumbents". Lynnwood Enterprise. 2008-06-12. http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20080612/ETP03/416818179&template=ETPart. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
- ^ "WA state Legislature has 2nd largest gay caucus in U.S.". Associated Press. 2008-01-23. http://news.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP01232008news266921.cfm. Retrieved 2008-01-23.[dead link]
- ^ Jerry Cornfield (2008-01-19). "New legislators are still smiling after first week". Everett Herald. http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080119/NEWS01/598241214/-1/rss02. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ Connelly, Joel (2 August 2011). "Rep. Marko Liias running for Congress". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer. http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/08/02/rep-marko-liias-running-for-congress/. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
- ^ Connolly, Joel (2011-12-29). "Rep. Liias out of U.S. House race". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/12/29/rep-liias-out-of-u-s-house-race/. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
[edit] External links
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