Native Snohomish County resident is newest member of state Senate

OLYMPIA – Sen.-elect Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, a military veteran and married father of three young boys, is the newest legislator of the 44th Legislative District. Hobbs’ win added to the Senate Democrats supermajority. Senate Democrats now hold 32 of 49 seats.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to give something back to the people of Snohomish County,” said Hobbs, who was born and raised in Snohomish County. “My family has been a part of this community for a long time. As a husband and father, I want my kids to grow up having better opportunities than I did. Like any parent, I want our kids to have the best education possible and I’m looking forward to serving on the education committee. But I also ran because I’m concerned about the lack of affordable health care in our state.”

His other legislative priorities include job growth and public transportation. Hobbs will be vice chair for the Senate Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee and a member of the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee and the Ways & Means Committee.

“Our state’s economy is growing and small business is a vital part of that equation,” Hobbs said. “Yet they take the biggest blow financially when it comes to providing affordable health care to their employees. As vice chair of the Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee, I hope we can begin stabilizing the cost of health care coverage for all Washington employers.”

A Japanese-American, Hobbs adds to the Senate’s growing diversity, including three members of Asian heritage.

Although this is his first time in elected office, Hobbs is no stranger to politics. In 1994, he ran against then-state Rep. Val Stevens, and has been actively involved in various county council and congressional campaigns. A war veteran, Hobbs joined the U.S. Army in 1987 and has been stationed to Hawaii, Georgia, Iraq and Kosovo. While in the military, he was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his efforts in an anti-drug campaign aimed at elementary school students.

The legislative session begins Jan. 8 and is scheduled to last 105 days.

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