Joe McDermott

Biography

J. Joseph McDermott was elected to the Washington State Senate in November of 2008, after having been appointed to the seat in October 2007. For seven years prior to that, McDermott served in the House of Representatives. Senator McDermott holds seats on the Senate Ways & Means, Early Learning & K-12 Education, Government Operations & Elections, and Financial Institutions, Housing, & Insurance Committees. His overall legislative priorities include education, elections, the environment, and civil rights issues.

Joe earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Affairs and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Gonzaga University. Joe completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Executive Education program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in June of 2009.

Senator McDermott’s employment history includes serving as a Senior Budget Analyst with the Seattle School District for four years. Prior to that, he worked for Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney John Ladenburg for six years. He also teaches history and political science courses occasionally at South Seattle Community College and works during the summer as a Tour Guide for Bill Speidel's Underground Tour in Seattle's Pioneer Square.

McDermott is a third-generation resident of West Seattle where he lives with his partner, Michael, and serves on the Board of Southwest Youth & Family Services. His civic activities and memberships include the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Vashon Allied Arts, and the Highline Historical Society.

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