Marko Liias

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Rep. Marko Liias
Marko Liias
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 21st district
In office
2008 – present
Preceded by Brian J. Sullivan
Born 1981
Edmonds, Wash.
Political party Democratic
Residence Mukilteo, Wash.
Website markoliias.com

Marko Liias is an American politician from Washington. He is currently a Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 21st legislative district. His district, located entirely within Snohomish County, encompasses portions of Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace, as well as his hometown of Mukilteo and his native Edmonds.[1]

Liias, at the age of just 24, was elected to Mukilteo City Council in November 2005, running unopposed. He had 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. He has also served as an alternate board member for Community Transit, and as a representative to the Puget Sound Regional Council.[2]

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).[2] The council voted unanimously to confirm the choice of the PCOs and appointed Liias to the seat.[3]

Liias graduated from Kamiak High School in Mukilteo before attending Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Administration at the University of Washington in Seattle.[4]

Liias is one of six openly gay members of the Washington State Legislature, alongside Representatives Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver), Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) and Dave Upthegrove (D-Des Moines), as well as Senators Ed Murray (D-Seattle) and Joe McDermott (D-West Seattle).[5]

Liias, who is of Finnish descent, speaks Finnish.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Washington State Legislature: 21st district. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
  2. ^ a b Democrats tap Liias for Sullivan's seat. Lynnwood Enterprise (2007-12-21). Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
  3. ^ County Council Appoints Marko Liias to State Legislature. Mukilteo Beacon. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
  4. ^ Rep. Marko Liias - Biography (2007-12-21). Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
  5. ^ WA state Legislature has 2nd largest gay caucus in U.S.. Associated Press (2008-01-23). Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
  6. ^ New legislators are still smiling after first week. Everett Herald (2008-01-19). Retrieved on 2008-01-23.

[edit] External links


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