See also: Rape and pregnancy statement controversies in the 2012 United States elections.
| John Koster | |
| State House: | Washington |
| District: | 39th |
| Term Start: | January 3, 1995 |
| Term End: | January 8, 2001 |
| Predecessor: | Hans Dunshee |
| Successor: | Kirk Pearson |
| Term Start1: | January 9, 2017 |
| Term End1: | August 31, 2017 |
| Predecessor1: | Elizabeth Scott |
| Successor1: | Carolyn Eslick |
| Office2: | Chair of the Snohomish County Council |
| Predecessor2: | Gary Nelson |
| Successor2: | Gary Nelson |
| Office3: | Member of the Snohomish County Council from the 1st district |
| Term Start3: | January 1, 2002 |
| Term End3: | January 1, 2014 |
| Predecessor3: | Mike Ashley |
| Successor3: | Ken Klein |
| Birth Name: | John Marvin Koster |
| Birth Date: | 8 September 1951 |
| Birth Place: | Arlington, Washington, U.S. |
| Alma Mater: | Everett Community College |
| Party: | Republican |
| Spouse: | Vicki Koster |
| Children: | 4 |
| Residence: | Arlington Heights, Washington, U.S. |
John Marvin Koster[1] (born September 8, 1951) is an American politician who served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 39th district from 1995 to 2001 and again in 2017. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a member of the Snohomish County Council, representing the 1st district from 2002 to 2014.[2]
On November 8, 1994, Koster won the election and became a Republican member of Washington House of Representatives for District 39, Position 2. Koster defeated Hans Dunshee with 52.70% of the votes. Koster's term began on January 3, 1995.[3] On November 5, 1996, as an incumbent, Koster won the election and continued serving District 39, Position 2. Koster defeated Jeff Soth with 52.78% of the votes.[4] On November 3, 1998, as an incumbent, Koster won the election and continued serving District 39, Position 2. Koster defeated Patricia Patterson with 51.87% of the votes.[5] [6]
On November 6, 2001, Koster was elected to the Snohomish County Council, District 1. Koster defeated incumbent Democrat Mike Ashley and others with 51.65% of the votes.[7] As an incumbent, Koster was reelected in November 2005 and November 2009, representing Council District 1.
Koster has three times ran unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives in 2000, 2010, and 2012. In November 2015, Koster was elected Charter Review Commissioner for Snohomish County.[8]
On December 20, 2013 it was announced that the term-limited Koster would be the first-ever Snohomish County Ombudsman after his term in the Snohomish County Council ended on January 1, 2014.[9]
On November 8, 2016, Koster won the election and became a Republican member of the Washington House of Representatives for District 39, Position 2. Koster defeated Ronda Metcalf with 60.96% of the votes.[10] [6] In July 2017, Koster announced his retirement from the State House to lead the County Road Administration Board as its executive director. He was succeeded by Sultan mayor Carolyn Eslick.[11]
Koster's wife is Vicki Koster. They have four children. Koster and her family live in Arlington, Washington.[6]