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In January 2017, Ericksen accepted the Temporary position of interim director of communications with the US EPA but stated he does not intend to resign his senate seat.<ref>http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/trump-administration-taps-two-washington-state-legislators-to-help-reshape-epa/</ref>
In January 2017, Ericksen accepted the Temporary position of interim director of communications with the US EPA but stated he does not intend to resign his senate seat.<ref>http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/trump-administration-taps-two-washington-state-legislators-to-help-reshape-epa/</ref>


In May 2018 Ericksen joined fellow state senator [[Michael Baumgartner]], Representative [[Vincent Buys]], and football coach [[Mike Leach (American football coach)|Mike Leach]] on a trip to [[Cambodia]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dara |first1=Mech |title=US Senator holds talks on ‘strengthening cooperation’ |url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/us-senator-holds-talks-strengthening-cooperation |work=The Phnom Penh Post |accessdate=July 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/may/09/leach-joins-lawmakers-on-trip-to-cambodia/|title=Leach joins lawmakers on trip to Cambodia {{!}} The Spokesman-Review|website=www.spokesman.com|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/questions-raised-over-washington-state-lawmakers-visit-to-cambodia-to-observe-elections/|title=Questions raised over Washington state lawmakers’ visit to Cambodia to observe elections|date=August 4, 2018|website=The Seattle Times|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> He returned in July with Representatives Buys, [[Drew C. MacEwen|Drew MacEwen]], and [[Brandon Vick]] to observe the [[2018 Cambodian general election]], though MacEwan and Vick departed after the U.S. Ambassador warned them about the sham election.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/lawmaker-out-of-order-to-approve-of-a-sham-foreign-election/|title=State Sen. Doug Ericksen out of order to approve of a sham foreign election|last=The Seattle Times editorial board|date=September 23, 2018|website=The Seattle Times|dead-url=|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> He met with Cambodia’s authoritarian prime minister of 33 years [[Hun Sen]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |title=CAMBODIA 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |url=https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277315.pdf |website=state.gov |publisher=US State Department |accessdate=July 28, 2018}}</ref> Ericksen's actions were widely condemned by NGOs such as [[Human Rights Watch]], which said of the delegation, "they hold in contempt the principles of free and fair elections, an independent media, and a neutral election administration—because all those things are lacking in Hun Sen’s Cambodia."<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last1=Garbell |first1=Chelsea |title=Why Are Washington State Legislators Covering for Cambodia's Sham Elections? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/07/why-are-washington-state-legislators-covering-for-cambodias-sham-elections/ |website=''thediplomat.com'' |publisher=the diplomat |accessdate=July 28, 2018}}</ref>
In May 2018 Ericksen joined fellow state senator [[Michael Baumgartner]], Representative [[Vincent Buys]], and football coach [[Mike Leach (American football coach)|Mike Leach]] on a trip to [[Cambodia]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dara |first1=Mech |title=US Senator holds talks on ‘strengthening cooperation’ |url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/us-senator-holds-talks-strengthening-cooperation |work=The Phnom Penh Post |accessdate=July 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/may/09/leach-joins-lawmakers-on-trip-to-cambodia/|title=Leach joins lawmakers on trip to Cambodia {{!}} The Spokesman-Review|website=www.spokesman.com|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/questions-raised-over-washington-state-lawmakers-visit-to-cambodia-to-observe-elections/|title=Questions raised over Washington state lawmakers’ visit to Cambodia to observe elections|date=August 4, 2018|website=The Seattle Times|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> He returned in July with Representatives Buys, [[Drew C. MacEwen|Drew MacEwen]], and [[Brandon Vick]] to observe the [[2018 Cambodian general election]], though MacEwan and Vick departed after the U.S. Ambassador warned them about the sham election.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/lawmaker-out-of-order-to-approve-of-a-sham-foreign-election/|title=State Sen. Doug Ericksen out of order to approve of a sham foreign election|last=The Seattle Times editorial board|date=September 23, 2018|website=The Seattle Times|dead-url=|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> He met with Cambodia’s prime minister [[Hun Sen]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |title=CAMBODIA 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |url=https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277315.pdf |website=state.gov |publisher=US State Department |accessdate=July 28, 2018}}</ref> Ericksen's actions were widely condemned by NGOs such as [[Human Rights Watch]], which said of the delegation, "they hold in contempt the principles of free and fair elections, an independent media, and a neutral election administration—because all those things are lacking in Hun Sen’s Cambodia."<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last1=Garbell |first1=Chelsea |title=Why Are Washington State Legislators Covering for Cambodia's Sham Elections? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/07/why-are-washington-state-legislators-covering-for-cambodias-sham-elections/ |website=''thediplomat.com'' |publisher=the diplomat |accessdate=July 28, 2018}}</ref>


Ericksen again visited Hun Sen in [[Phnom Penh]] in March 2019, where he again claimed the [[2018 Cambodian general election]] was "free, just and non-violent".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50589681/us-politician-lauds-progress-during-meet-with-hun-sen/|title=US politician lauds progress during meet with Hun Sen|date=March 24, 2019|website=Khmer Times|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> In April 2019 he registered as a [[Lobbying in the United States|foreign lobbyist]] for the Cambodian government; his consulting company co-owned with former state representative [[Jay Rodne]] will be paid $500,000 a year to arrange official visits between the countries and business leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2Ulcwiu|title=Washington state senator will lobby for Cambodia|website=POLITICO|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/state-sen-doug-ericksen-gets-500000-lobbying-contract-from-cambodian-government-he-praised/|title=A Washington state senator praised the Cambodian government last year. Then it gave him a $500,000 lobbying contract.|date=April 5, 2019|website=The Seattle Times|access-date=April 6, 2019}}</ref>
Ericksen again visited Hun Sen in [[Phnom Penh]] in March 2019, where he again claimed the [[2018 Cambodian general election]] was "free, just and non-violent".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50589681/us-politician-lauds-progress-during-meet-with-hun-sen/|title=US politician lauds progress during meet with Hun Sen|date=March 24, 2019|website=Khmer Times|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> In April 2019 he registered as a [[Lobbying in the United States|foreign lobbyist]] for the Cambodian government; his consulting company co-owned with former state representative [[Jay Rodne]] will be paid $500,000 a year to arrange official visits between the countries and business leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2Ulcwiu|title=Washington state senator will lobby for Cambodia|website=POLITICO|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/state-sen-doug-ericksen-gets-500000-lobbying-contract-from-cambodian-government-he-praised/|title=A Washington state senator praised the Cambodian government last year. Then it gave him a $500,000 lobbying contract.|date=April 5, 2019|website=The Seattle Times|access-date=April 6, 2019}}</ref>

Revision as of 20:56, 7 April 2019

Douglas Ericksen
File:Doug Ericksen.jpg
Member of the Washington State Senate
from the 42nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
2011
Personal details
Born (1969-01-28) January 28, 1969 (age 55)
Bellingham, Washington
Political partyRepublican
SpouseTasha Ericksen
ResidenceFerndale, Washington
WebsiteOfficial

Douglas Ericksen (born January 28, 1969) is an American politician. A Republican, he is a member of the Washington State Senate for the 42nd District in Whatcom County.[1] Ericksen serves as the ranking member of the body's Energy, Environment, and Telecommunications Committee.[2] In April 2019, he registered as a foreign agent to consult and lobby for the Kingdom of Cambodia.[3]

Ericksen attended Cornell University and Western Washington University and worked as a policy analyst for Washington Senate Republican Caucus.[4] He was first elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1998 elected to the Washington Senate in 2010.[5]

In May 2013, the Associated Press reported that Ericksen was "the biggest beneficiary of lobbyist expense accounts" among Washington state legislators during the first four months of 2013, receiving the equivalent of US$2,029.30 in free meals.[6][7]

In November 2016, in response to the protests against Donald Trump, Ericksen authored a bill that would treat some common protest actions, such as blocking traffic and rail lines, as economic terrorism and allow for felony prosecution of individuals who take part in such action.[8]

In January 2017, Ericksen accepted the Temporary position of interim director of communications with the US EPA but stated he does not intend to resign his senate seat.[9]

In May 2018 Ericksen joined fellow state senator Michael Baumgartner, Representative Vincent Buys, and football coach Mike Leach on a trip to Cambodia.[10][11][12] He returned in July with Representatives Buys, Drew MacEwen, and Brandon Vick to observe the 2018 Cambodian general election, though MacEwan and Vick departed after the U.S. Ambassador warned them about the sham election.[12][13] He met with Cambodia’s prime minister Hun Sen.[12][14] Ericksen's actions were widely condemned by NGOs such as Human Rights Watch, which said of the delegation, "they hold in contempt the principles of free and fair elections, an independent media, and a neutral election administration—because all those things are lacking in Hun Sen’s Cambodia."[15]

Ericksen again visited Hun Sen in Phnom Penh in March 2019, where he again claimed the 2018 Cambodian general election was "free, just and non-violent".[16] In April 2019 he registered as a foreign lobbyist for the Cambodian government; his consulting company co-owned with former state representative Jay Rodne will be paid $500,000 a year to arrange official visits between the countries and business leaders.[17][18]

Ericksen was narrowly reelected in 2018, receiving 49.9% of the 72,779 votes cast.[19]

References

  1. ^ Project Vote Smart.org, Douglas Ericksen biography
  2. ^ "Environment, Energy & Technology Committee Members & Staff". Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee - Washington State Legislature. Retrieved April 6, 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  3. ^ "US Republican senator registers to lobby for Cambodia". South China Morning Post. April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  4. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  5. ^ "Doug Ericksen". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  6. ^ Baker, Mike (May 29, 2013). "Report: Ferndale lawmaker accepts most free meals from lobbyists". AP via Bellingham Herald. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Associated Press (May 29, 2013). "Lobbyists pamper Washington state lawmakers with free meals in Olympia". AP via The Oregonian. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  8. ^ "Sen. Ericksen to propose bill making 'illegal protests' a felony". bellinghamherald. Retrieved April 7, 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  9. ^ http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/trump-administration-taps-two-washington-state-legislators-to-help-reshape-epa/
  10. ^ Dara, Mech. "US Senator holds talks on 'strengthening cooperation'". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  11. ^ "Leach joins lawmakers on trip to Cambodia | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  12. ^ a b c "Questions raised over Washington state lawmakers' visit to Cambodia to observe elections". The Seattle Times. August 4, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  13. ^ The Seattle Times editorial board (September 23, 2018). "State Sen. Doug Ericksen out of order to approve of a sham foreign election". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 5, 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  14. ^ "CAMBODIA 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT" (PDF). state.gov. US State Department. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  15. ^ Garbell, Chelsea. "Why Are Washington State Legislators Covering for Cambodia's Sham Elections?". thediplomat.com. the diplomat. Retrieved July 28, 2018. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
  16. ^ "US politician lauds progress during meet with Hun Sen". Khmer Times. March 24, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  17. ^ "Washington state senator will lobby for Cambodia". POLITICO. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  18. ^ "A Washington state senator praised the Cambodian government last year. Then it gave him a $500,000 lobbying contract". The Seattle Times. April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  19. ^ Mittendorf, Robert. "Ericksen, Van Werven hang on to legislative seats after hand recount — but just barely". The Bellingham Herald. Retrieved April 5, 2019.


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