Marko Liias

Marko Sakari Liias[1] (born July 17, 1981) is an American politician serving as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 21st district since 2014. The district, located entirely within Snohomish County, includes portions of Lynnwood and Everett, as well as his hometown of Mukilteo and his native Edmonds.[2] A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 2008 to 2014.

Marko Liias
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 21st district
Assumed office
January 22, 2014
Preceded byPaull Shin
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 21st district
In office
January 7, 2008 – January 22, 2014
Preceded byBrian Sullivan
Succeeded byLillian Ortiz-Self
Personal details
Born
Marko Sakari Liias

(1981-07-17) July 17, 1981
Edmonds, Washington, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationGeorgetown University (BA)
University of Washington (MA)
WebsiteState Senate website

Early life and education

Liias graduated from Kamiak High School in Mukilteo before attending Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., 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.[3] In 2009, Liias completed a John F. Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government as a David Bohnett LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Fellow.

Career

Mukilteo City Council

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.[4]

State House

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).[4] The council voted unanimously to confirm the choice of the PCOs and appointed Liias to the seat.[5]

After being elected to his first full term in 2008, 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 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.

State Senate

In January 2014, the district state senator, Paull Shin, resigned due in part to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The Democratic precinct committee officers (PCOs) from the 21st district selected then- Rep. Liias as their sole nominee for the seat.[6] Their choice was confirmed unanimously by the Snohomish County Council and Liias was sworn in as state senator on January 22, 2014.[7]

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 retired to mount a successful bid for 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]

State Treasurer race
Main article: 2016 Washington elections § State Treasurer

On May 19, 2016, Liias announced he was running for State Treasurer.[10] In the primary election held on August 2, 2016, the two Republican candidates placed first and second, with the three Democratic candidates placing third, fourth and fifth. Liias placed third, earning 20% of the vote.[11]

Lieutenant Governor race
See also: 2020 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election

Liias ran for Lieutenant Governor of Washington in 2020. He came in second in the primary but was defeated by Denny Heck in the general election.[12]

Elections
See also: 2010 Washington's 21st Legislative District, House 2 election

Liias was elected to a full term in November 2008. He did not face a Democratic primary challenge but was challenged by a Republican, 18-year-old Andrew Funk, in the general election.[13] Liias prevailed easily, receiving nearly 64% of the vote.

In 2010, Liias was challenged by Republican Elizabeth Scott from Edmonds and won re-election with 54% of the vote. In the 2012 election, Liias won 60% of the vote to defeat Republican challenger Kevin Morrison, a candidate who entered the primary as a write-in but whose name appeared on the general election ballot.[14][15] He served in the state house until he was appointed and duly sworn in as the district's state senator on January 22, 2014.

Political Positions

LGBTQIA+ rights

Liias supports transgender rights and supports gender-affirming care for youth that identify as transgender.[16] He was the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5599, which allowed "organizations providing services to unsheltered youth to delay notifying a parent or guardian" if the youth is pursuing gender-affirming health care.[17]

Personal life

Liias is openly gay.[18] He is of Finnish American descent and speaks Finnish.[19]

References
  1. "The 143rd Annual Ceremony". University of Washington. 2018-06-09. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  2. "Washington State Legislature: 21st district". Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  3. "Rep. Marko Liias - Biography". 2007-12-21. Archived from the original on 2009-12-04. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
  4. "Democrats tap Liias for Sullivan's seat". Lynnwood Enterprise. 2007-12-21. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  5. Chris Fyall. "County Council Appoints Marko Liias to State Legislature". Mukilteo Beacon. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  6. "Rep. Marko Liias selected as sole choice for appointment to Paull Shin's Senate seat". 19 January 2014.
  7. Rosenthal, Brian (22 January 2014). "Rep. Marko Liias moves from House to Senate to replace Paull Shin". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 23 January 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  8. Connelly, Joel (2 August 2011). "Rep. Marko Liias running for Congress". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  9. Connolly, Joel (2011-12-29). "Rep. Liias out of U.S. House race". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  10. Connelly, Joel (19 May 2016). "Legistator who went through business bankruptcy runs for state treasurer". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  11. "August 2nd, 2016 Primary Election Results". Elections & Voting. Secretary of State. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  12. Cornfield, Jerry (2020-03-24). "Sen. Marko Liias launches campaign for lieutenant governor". HeraldNet.com. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  13. "Republicans challenge Legislative incumbents". Lynnwood Enterprise. 2008-06-12. Archived from the original on 2008-06-13. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  14. "Washington Secretary of State: candidates who have filed". May 19, 2012.
  15. "Washington Secretary of State General Election Results". 2012-11-09. Archived from the original on 2012-12-14.
  16. "Bill would protect runaway youth seeking gender-affirming care". 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  17. "WA transgender youth bill targeted in national culture war". 1 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  18. "WA state Legislature has 2nd largest gay caucus in U.S." Associated Press. 2008-01-23. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  19. Jerry Cornfield (2008-01-19). "New legislators are still smiling after first week". Everett Herald. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
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