Jeff Morris (politician) explained

Jeff Morris
Office:Speaker pro tempore of the Washington House of Representatives
Term Start:January 14, 2008
Term End:January 10, 2011
Predecessor:John Lovick
Successor:Jim Moeller
State House1:Washington
District1:40th
Term Start1:January 13, 1997
Term End1:January 6, 2020
Predecessor1:Cheryl Hymes
Successor1:Alex Ramel
Birth Name:Jeffrey Robert Morris
Birth Date:24 February 1964
Birth Place:Anacortes, Washington, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:Central Washington University
Occupation:Politician
Website:Official

Jeffrey Robert Morris (born February 24, 1964) is an American politician who served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 40th district from 1997 to 2020. A member of the Democratic Party, Morris was one of three self-identified American Indians, along with John McCoy (Tulalip Tribes) and Jay Rodne (Bad River Band of Chippewa), in the Washington State Legislature.[1]

Early life and education

Jeff Morris is a fourth-generation native of Guemes Island.[2] He also lived in Anacortes, Washington, where he graduated Anacortes High School in 1982. He graduated from Central Washington University.

Career

Based in Anacortes, Morris became active in the Democratic Party and successfully ran for the state House of Representatives in 1996 to represent the 40th Legislative District.[3] Repeatedly re-elected, he served as chairman of the Technology and Economic Development Committee and is also a member of the Environment and Transportation committees. He has previously served as speaker pro tempore, House floor leader, and chairman of the Finance and Technology, Energy, and Communications committees.

Morris served on the executive committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures and is the past chairman of the Council of State Governments-West and past president of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region.

He retired mid-term in 2020 to take a job in the private sector, and activist Alex Ramel was appointed to serve for the remainder of his term.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Wilkins . David E. . Stark . Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik . American Indian Politics and the American Political System . 3rd . Rowman & Littlefield Publishers . October 16, 2010 . 165–188 . Chapter 7: Indigenous Political Participation: Patriotism, Suffrage, and Partisanship . 978-1442203884.
  2. Web site: 2010 Washington Primary Election Candidate Profile: Jeff Morris . The Spokesman-Review . 2013-12-01.
  3. Web site: Final, Official Election Results . 1996-12-06 . The Seattle Times . 2013-12-01.
  4. Web site: Rep. Jeff Morris accepts new position--will step down from Representing the 40th Legislative District. sanjuanislander.com. en-gb. 2020-01-07.