John McCoy (American politician)

John Richard McCoy (October 29, 1943 – June 6, 2023) was an American politician of the Democratic Party based in the state of Washington. In 2013, he was appointed to the State Senate to fill a vacancy and represent the 38th Legislative District. He previously served more than 10 years in the Washington House of Representatives (2003–2013).

John McCoy
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 38th district
In office
November 27, 2013  April 17, 2020
Preceded byNick Harper
Succeeded byJune Robinson
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 38th district
In office
January 13, 2003  November 27, 2013
Preceded byAaron Reardon
Succeeded byJune Robinson
Personal details
Born
John Richard McCoy

(1943-10-29)October 29, 1943
Tulalip, Washington, U.S.
DiedJune 6, 2023(2023-06-06) (aged 79)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Janet Jean McCoy
(m. 1965)
Children3
Residence(s)Tulalip, Washington
Alma materEl Capitan High School
Profession
WebsiteOfficial website
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Air Force
Years of service1961–1981

McCoy was the only self-identified Native American in the State Senate. In 2013, along with Jeff Morris (Tsimshian), he was one of the two Native Americans in the state legislature.[1]

Early life and professional career

McCoy was born into a Tulalip family on the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Washington.[2] He attended local schools.

McCoy spent 20 years in the Air Force before retiring in 1981. He then became a computer technician at the White House, before leaving to start a career in the private sector.[3]

McCoy would later become active in tribal affairs. He served as general manager of Quil Ceda Village,[1] the tribe's new municipality established in 2001. It included a gaming casino and business park. In 2005 the tribe also opened a 125-store retail outlet, all part of its efforts to diversify the tribe's economy and provide new jobs.[4]

Political career

McCoy joined the Democratic Party and became active. In 2002 he ran for office as state representative and won. He served from 2003 to 2013, being re-elected several times.[5]

In his fifth term in the state legislature, McCoy gained passage of a bill to establish a procedure "for the state to cede jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters on tribal lands to federal and tribal governments."[1] In 2013 he was chairman of the Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs Committee; vice chairman of the Environment Committee; and member of the Education Committee.[1]

McCoy also served as chairman of the executive committee of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators; there are 79 Native legislators in 18 states.[1]

On November 27, 2013, the Snohomish County Council selected McCoy to fill the vacancy left when Senator Nick Harper resigned. McCoy was the leading vote-getter of the Democratic Precinct Committee Officers in Washington's 38th Legislative District.[6] He retired from the State Senate on April 17, 2020, citing concerns about his health, and was succeeded by appointee June Robinson.[3]

Personal life

McCoy had three daughters with his wife Jeannie; the family also had 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren as of 2023.[4] He died on June 6, 2023, at home in Tulalip.[2]

Awards and honors

McCoy received the 2009 Fuse "Sizzle" Award. He was honored with the Strong Man Award for defending a citizens' clean energy initiative—Initiative-937—from major rollbacks. He brought two sides of the legislature together on the issue to reach a workable compromise.[7]

References

  1. Richard Walker, "7 Questions with John McCoy, Washington State Representative", Indian Country Today, January 16, 2013; accessed September 22, 2016
  2. Whitycombe, Claire (June 8, 2023). "Longtime WA state Sen. John McCoy, champion of Indigenous rights, dies". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  3. Cornfield, Jerry (April 16, 2020). "Tulalip leader, state lawmaker John McCoy to retire". The Everett Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  4. Dunn, Kayla J. (June 7, 2023). "State Sen. McCoy, who represented Tulalip and tribal causes, dies". The Everett Herald. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  5. O'Sullivan, Joseph (April 16, 2020). "Washington state Sen. John McCoy, a longtime Democratic lawmaker, is stepping down". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  6. "McCoy appointed to fill Harper's state Senate seat". November 27, 2013.
  7. Fuse "Mother Jones" Award (Archived April 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine).
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