Wikipedia

Cheryl Pflug

Cheryl Ann Pflug (born February 28, 1957) is an American lawyer, nurse, and politician who is a member of the Republican Party. She was a member of the Washington State Senate from 2004 to 2012.[1][2][3]

Cheryl Pflug
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 5th district
In office
January 5, 2004 – June 30, 2012
Preceded byDino Rossi
Succeeded byDino Rossi
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 5th district
In office
January 11, 1999 – January 5, 2004
Preceded byPhilip E. Dyer
Succeeded byJay Rodne
Personal details
Born
Cheryl Ann Pflug

(1957-02-28) February 28, 1957 (age 67)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBrian
Children4
Alma materUniversity of Washington (BS), Seattle University (JD)
Profession
  • Lawyer
  • nurse

Early life and education

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Pflug earned her B.S. in Nursing from the University of Washington and worked as a critical care and operating room nurse[4] while raising 4 children on a family farm adjacent to the Cedar River Watershed. She received a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in 2012 and was admitted to the Bar in 2014.[5]

State legislature

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Pflug served the 5th District in the State Legislature for nearly 14 years before being appointed to the Growth Management Hearings Board by Governor Gregoire in May 2012.[6] The 5th District straddles the Urban Growth Line, causing local governments to continually struggle to balance the need for infrastructure and services with a commitment to preserving community character, open space, fish habitat and pristine recreational areas.[6] Over the course of her legislative career, Pflug used her health care experience to improve health outcomes while reducing unnecessary costs,[4] authoring several first-in-the-nation innovations that were adopted into law[4][7] and pushing through legislation to give the office of the Attorney General strong tools to prosecute multimillion-dollar corporate Medicaid fraud schemes.[8][9][10] Pflug also championed infrastructure,[6] education, http://www.issaquahpress.com/2012/05/29/state-sen-cheryl-pflug-departs-suddenly-to-accept-board-post/ hatchery and parks improvements[11] to support the needs of the rapidly growing communities she represented.[12][13]

As a legislator, Pflug earned a reputation as "an independent workhorse"[4] willing to work across party lines.[14] She crafted legislation to create treatment alternatives for nonviolent mentally-ill misdemeanants[10] and cast the decisive vote to create a simple-majority requirement for school levies.[4] In 2008, Pflug was honored with the commission of Washington General for commitment to her community and service to the state of Washington,[15] and the "Champion of Freedom Award" in 2012.[16]

Often questioned for her growing cynicism,[17] Pflug also paid a price for defying her party leaders[18] but rarely backed down.[19][20]

Appointment to the Growth Management Planning Board

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In May 2012, Governor Christine Gregoire nominated Pflug to a seat on the Growth Management Planning Board.

Following the appointment, Republican Party Chairman Kirby Wilbur suggested the appointment was a "deal" to give the Democrats her Senate seat, an allegation called "hypocritical" by observers.[21]

Pflug resigned her Senate seat on June 30, 2012, the day before her Growth Board appointment commenced on July 1, 2012.[6] On July 11, 2012, Dino Rossi was appointed to fill the term of Pflug.[22] In November 2012, Mark Mullet was elected to represent the 5th legislative district in the senate.

Post-legislative career

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In July 2012, Pflug was featured in the first Washington television ad supporting same-sex marriage.[23] The ad aired during the opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympic Games.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "5th Legislative District". apps.leg.wa.gov. Archived from the original on 26 September 2006. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  2. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  3. ^ Email submission to Ballotpedia, May 16, 2012
  4. ^ a b c d e "Cheryl Pflug in the 5th Legislative District". Seattletimes.com. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  5. ^ "Lawyer Profile". www.mywsba.org. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d "State Sen. Cheryl Pflug departs suddenly to accept board post : The Issaquah Press – News, Sports, Classifieds and More in Issaquah, WA". Archived from the original on 2015-02-05. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  7. ^ "Washington Becomes First State to Endorse Shared Medical Decision Making. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  8. ^ "Legislature should keep simple tool to fight Medicaid fraud". Seattletimes.com. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Medicaid fraud :: The Capitol Record | News, background and notes on Washington state government". Archived from the original on 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  10. ^ a b "Local senator sponsors bill to cut down on Medicaid fraud : Snoqualmie, WA – SnoValley Star – News, Sports, Classifieds". Archived from the original on 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  11. ^ "Governor vetoes state park facility, OKs hatchery dam : The Issaquah Press – News, Sports, Classifieds and More in Issaquah, WA". Archived from the original on 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  12. ^ "GMHB Profiles". Gmhb.wa.gov. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  13. ^ "The Issaquah Press October 27 Page 4". Gmhb.wa.gov. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  14. ^ "Eastside legislative races". Seattletimes.com. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  15. ^ "Pflug named a Washington General". Flickr.com. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  16. ^ "Glenn Anderson : The Issaquah Press – News, Sports, Classifieds and More in Issaquah, WA". Archived from the original on 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  17. ^ "Second Republican state senator chooses to support marriage equality". Seattletimes.com. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  18. ^ "'Pflug' becomes Republican profanity after endorsing Democrat, criticizing Dino Rossi - Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter". Issaquahreporter.com. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  19. ^ "Gay marriage creates choices, costs for Minn. GOP". Denverpost.com. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  20. ^ "Tuesday Jolt: Pflug Burns Rossi, Supremes Burn Cheap Smokes". Seattlemet.com. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  21. ^ "Sunday Spin: GOP intrigue in the 5th Lege District". Spokesman.com. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  22. ^ "Dino Rossi appointed to be state senator again - Political Buzz". Blog.thenewstribune.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  23. ^ a b "First campaign ad for same-sex marriage". Mynorthwest.com. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
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