Laurie Jinkins
Encyclopedia
Laurie Jinkins is a public health official from Tacoma, Washington
who serves as a member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 27th district. A Democrat
, she was elected in 2010 to succeed Dennis Flannigan and took office on January 10, 2011.
, where she earned both bachelor's and master's degrees. She moved to Washington State in 1987 to attend the University of Puget Sound School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor
(J.D.) in 1990. In 2007, she completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University
's John F. Kennedy School of Government
. After graduation, she worked as an assistant attorney general in Tacoma, before joining the Department of Health in Olympia in 1995. She remained at the department until 2008, rising to the post of executive director. In 2008, she joined the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department as deputy director.
Board of Trustees. In 2009, she led the successful statewide campaign to approve Referendum 71
, affirming Washington's domestic partnership law
.
When Rep. Dennis Flannigan (D–Tacoma) decided against seeking re-election to the Washington House in 2010, Jinkins declared for the seat. Four Democrats and one independent filed for the open seat with a top two primary held on August 17, 2010. Jinkins was the top vote getter in the primary with fellow Democrat Jake Fey, a member of Tacoma City Council, finishing second. In the general election held on November 2, Jinkins defeated Fey 54–46%.
. She is one of six openly gay legislators in Washington, alongside Representatives Jim Moeller
(D–Vancouver), Jamie Pedersen
(D–Seattle), Dave Upthegrove
(D–Des Moines) and Marko Liias
(D–Mukilteo
), as well as Senator Ed Murray (D–Seattle).
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
who serves as a member of the Washington House of Representatives
Washington House of Representatives
The Washington House of Representatives is the lower house of the Washington State Legislature, the legislature of the U.S. State of Washington. It is composed of 98 Representatives from 49 districts, each of which elects two members. All members of the House are elected to a two-year term without...
from the 27th district. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, she was elected in 2010 to succeed Dennis Flannigan and took office on January 10, 2011.
Early life and career
Jinkins grew up in the rural Midwest and attended the University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, where she earned both bachelor's and master's degrees. She moved to Washington State in 1987 to attend the University of Puget Sound School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
(J.D.) in 1990. In 2007, she completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
. After graduation, she worked as an assistant attorney general in Tacoma, before joining the Department of Health in Olympia in 1995. She remained at the department until 2008, rising to the post of executive director. In 2008, she joined the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department as deputy director.
Political career
Jinkins has a long record of involvement in civic, government and political organizations. From 1990 to 1992, she chaired the Tacoma Hate Crimes Task Force, later chairing the Tacoma Charter Review Committee and the Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma Community College
Tacoma Community College is a community college located in Tacoma, Washington, with satellite operations in Gig Harbor and the Tacoma Mall. It serves the city of Tacoma and the Pierce County portion of the Kitsap Peninsula....
Board of Trustees. In 2009, she led the successful statewide campaign to approve Referendum 71
Washington Referendum 71 (2009)
Referendum 71 was a vote held in 2009 in which the people of Washington state confirmed Senate Bill 5688, a law extending the rights and obligations of domestic partnership in Washington...
, affirming Washington's domestic partnership law
Domestic partnership in Washington
State Registered Domestic Partnerships in Washington were created in the aftermath of the Andersen v. King County decision. Subsequent legislation has made a SRDP the equivalent of marriage under state law.-Beginnings:...
.
When Rep. Dennis Flannigan (D–Tacoma) decided against seeking re-election to the Washington House in 2010, Jinkins declared for the seat. Four Democrats and one independent filed for the open seat with a top two primary held on August 17, 2010. Jinkins was the top vote getter in the primary with fellow Democrat Jake Fey, a member of Tacoma City Council, finishing second. In the general election held on November 2, Jinkins defeated Fey 54–46%.
Personal
Jinkins is openly gay. She and her partner, Laura Wulf, have one son who attends public school in Tacoma. She is the first openly lesbian member of the Washington State LegislatureWashington State Legislature
The Washington State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is a bipartisan, bicameral body, composed of the lower Washington House of Representatives, composed of 98 Representatives, and the upper Washington State Senate, with 49 Senators.The State Legislature...
. She is one of six openly gay legislators in Washington, alongside Representatives Jim Moeller
Jim Moeller
James C. "Jim" Moeller is an American politician and mental health professional from Washington State and a member of the Washington State House of Representatives representing the 49th Legislative District...
(D–Vancouver), Jamie Pedersen
Jamie Pedersen
Jamie Pedersen is an American lawyer and politician from the state of Washington who has served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives since January 2007. During the 2009–10 biennium, he chairs the House Judiciary Committee.A Democrat, he was elected to the House from the reliably...
(D–Seattle), Dave Upthegrove
Dave Upthegrove
Dave Upthegrove is an American politician from the state of Washington. He is currently a Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 33rd legislative district. His district encompasses part of Burien, SeaTac as well as Normandy Park, Des Moines and large parts of...
(D–Des Moines) and Marko Liias
Marko Liias
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...
(D–Mukilteo
Mukilteo, Washington
Mukilteo , which means "good camping ground", is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The population was 20,254 at the 2010 census. It is on the shore of the Puget Sound, and is the site of a Washington State Ferries terminal linking it to Clinton, on Whidbey Island.Mukilteo is...
), as well as Senator Ed Murray (D–Seattle).