Laurie A. Jinkins[1] (born August 1964) is an American politician, attorney, and public health official from Tacoma, Washington who serves as a member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 27th district. A Democrat, she has served as Speaker of the House since January 2020.[2]
Laurie Jinkins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 48th Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | John Lovick (acting) |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 27th district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2011 Serving with Jake Fey | |
| Preceded by | Dennis Flannigan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1964 (age 60) Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Laura Wulf (m. 2013) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Madison (BS, MS) Seattle University (JD) |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and education
editJinkins grew up in the rural Midwest and attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned both bachelor's and master's degrees. She moved to Washington State in 1987 to attend the University of Puget Sound School of Law (now affiliated with Seattle University), earning a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1990. In 2007, she completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Career
editAfter graduation, she worked as an assistant attorney general in Tacoma, before joining the Washington State Department of Health in Olympia in 1995. She remained at the department until 2008, rising to the post of assistant secretary. In 2008, she joined the Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department as deputy director.[3]
Politics
editJinkins has a long record of involvement in civic, government and political organizations. From 1990 to 1992, she chaired the Tacoma Hate Crimes Task Force[citation needed], later chairing the Tacoma Charter Review Committee and the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees. In 2009, she led the successful statewide campaign to approve Referendum 71, affirming Washington's domestic partnership law.
When Rep. Dennis Flannigan (D–Tacoma) decided against seeking re-election to the Washington House in 2010, Jinkins announced her candidacy for the seat. Four Democrats and one independent filed for the open seat with a top two primary held on August 17, 2010. Jinkins was the top vote getter in the primary with fellow Democrat Jake Fey, a member of Tacoma City Council, finishing second.[4] In the general election held on November 2, Jinkins defeated Fey 54–46%.
On July 31, 2019, the House Democratic Caucus selected Rep. Jinkins as the new State House of Representatives Speaker-designate. She replaced Interim Speaker John Lovick, who took over upon the end of former speaker Frank Chopp's term. Jinkins is the first female and first LGBTQ speaker in Washington State history.[5]
Personal life
editJinkins is openly gay.[6] She and her wife,[7] Laura Wulf, have one son.[7]
She is the first openly lesbian member of the Washington State Legislature.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Candidate Registration, Laurie A. Jinkins". Public Disclosure Commission, State of Washington. 2010-03-26. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
- ^ "Biography – Laurie Jinkins". Washington State House Democrats. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
- ^ "Elect Laurie Jinkins: About Laurie". Archived from the original on March 10, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
- ^ "Voters narrow field for Legislature". The Olympian. August 18, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Democrats elect Rep. Laurie Jinkins to serve as next speaker of the House – Washington State House Democrats". Retrieved 2019-07-31.
- ^ Stone, Zak (November 3, 2010). "2010 Elections Gayer Than Ever: Most Gay Candidates Elected in Nation's History". Good. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Laurie Jinkins". Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ "Jinkins' win in the 27th is a first for Washington". The News Tribune. November 2, 2010. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2010.