Marko Liias
Encyclopedia
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. The district, located entirely within Snohomish County
, encompasses portions of Lynnwood
and Mountlake Terrace
, as well as his hometown of Mukilteo
and his native Edmonds
.
Liias announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives
to succeed Congressman Jay Inslee
, a fellow Democrat who is retiring in order to run for governor, on August 2, 2011.
in Washington, DC, where he served as the president of the Georgetown University College Democrats. While in university, he spent a semester studying in Prague
, Czech Republic
, during which time he traveled extensively through central Europe. He has also taken graduate courses in public administration at the University of Washington
in Seattle.
was elected to Snohomish County Council in November 2007, he resigned his seat in the Washington State Legislature
. The Democratic precinct committee officer
s (PCOs) from the 21st district had the opportunity of selecting his successor, subject to the county council's ratification. With 21 votes, Liias was their first choice, defeating Lynnwood city councilman Mark Smith (16 votes) and Snohomish County Labor Council president Darrell Chapman (15 votes). The council voted unanimously to confirm the choice of the PCOs and appointed Liias to the seat.
Liias was elected to a full term in November 2008, receiving nearly 64% of the vote. He did not face a Democratic primary challenge but was challenged by a Republican
, 18-year old Andrew Funk, in the general election. The district is heavily Democratic.
In his first full term, Liias was selected as the Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee, one of three budget-writing committees in the House of Representatives. He was also selected to serve on the influential Rules Committee, which plays a critical gatekeeping role in the legislative process. Liias served on three other committees: Education, Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Community & Economic Development & Trade.
In 2010, Liias was challenged by Republican
Elizabeth Scott from Edmonds and won re-election with 54% of the vote. In January 2011, Liias was reappointed as Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee, and he was appointed to the Education Committee and the Technology, Energy and Communications Committee.
Liias is one of six openly
gay
members of the Washington State Legislature, alongside Senator Ed Murray (D–Seattle) and Representatives Jim Moeller
(D–Vancouver
), Jamie Pedersen
(D–Seattle
), Dave Upthegrove
(D–Des Moines
) and Laurie Jinkins
(D–Tacoma
).
Liias, who is of Finnish descent, speaks Finnish
.
, who is retiring to run to succeed Christine Gregoire
as Washington's governor. As redistricting is due to take place in Washington prior to the 2012 general elections
but no map has yet been finalized, it is presently unclear in which district Liias will run. He will likely face fellow State Representative Roger Goodman
and former State Representative Laura Ruderman, and 44th legislative district state senator Steve Hobbs, all Democrats, and possibly Congressman Dennis Kucinich
of Ohio
as well, in the nonpartisan top-two primary election in 2012. If elected, he would be the only self-identifying Finnish American
member of Congress.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from Washington. He is currently a Democratic
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...
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...
, representing the 21st legislative district. The district, located entirely within Snohomish County
Snohomish County, Washington
Snohomish County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Snohomish tribe. Since 2000, the county's population has grown from 606,024 to 713,335 residents , making it one of the fastest-growing in the state, ranking third in overall population after King and...
, encompasses portions of Lynnwood
Lynnwood, Washington
Lynnwood is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The population was 35,836 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest in Snohomish County and twenty-ninth largest in Washington State. The city is a mix of urban, suburban, small city, crossroads and bedroom community to many...
and Mountlake Terrace
Mountlake Terrace, Washington
Mountlake Terrace is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It lies east of Edmonds, Washington, south of Lynnwood, Washington, and west of Brier, Washington. Its southern boundary runs along the King County line. Interstate 5 runs north-south through the city, and services the city...
, as well as his hometown of 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...
and his native Edmonds
Edmonds, Washington
Edmonds is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Edmonds has a view of Puget Sound and both the Olympic Mountains and Cascade Range. The third most populous city in Snohomish County after Everett and Marysville, the population was 39,709 according to the 2010 census...
.
Liias announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
to succeed Congressman Jay Inslee
Jay Inslee
Jay Robert Inslee is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1999. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes many of Seattle's northern suburbs in King, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties...
, a fellow Democrat who is retiring in order to run for governor, on August 2, 2011.
Early life and education
Liias graduated from Kamiak High School in Mukilteo before attending Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
in Washington, DC, where he served as the president of the Georgetown University College Democrats. While in university, he spent a semester studying in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, during which time he traveled extensively through central Europe. He has also taken graduate courses in public administration at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
in Seattle.
As city councilman
At the age of 24, Liias was elected to Mukilteo City Council in November 2005, running unopposed. He had previously served on the Snohomish County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board from 2003 to 2004, and as a member of the Snohomish County Board of Equalization from 2004 to 2006. As a city councilman, he also served as an alternate board member for Community Transit, and as a representative to the Puget Sound Regional Council.As state representative
When Rep. Brian SullivanBrian Sullivan (politician)
Brian J. Sullivan was elected to the Snohomish County Council in November 2007, and took office in January 2008. He represents County Council District 2, which includes the cities of Everett and Mukilteo, as well as portions of unincorporated Snohomish County...
was elected to Snohomish County Council in November 2007, he resigned his seat in the Washington State Legislature
Washington 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...
. The Democratic precinct committee officer
Precinct Committee Officer
A Precinct Committee Officer, or PCO, is the name for an office in the U.S. state of Washington that organizes a voting precinct for a political party. The PCO is one of the most grass-roots offices available. The PCO brings to the party organizations the concerns of the voters, and of the...
s (PCOs) from the 21st district had the opportunity of selecting his successor, subject to the county council's ratification. With 21 votes, Liias was their first choice, defeating Lynnwood city councilman Mark Smith (16 votes) and Snohomish County Labor Council president Darrell Chapman (15 votes). The council voted unanimously to confirm the choice of the PCOs and appointed Liias to the seat.
Liias was elected to a full term in November 2008, receiving nearly 64% of the vote. He did not face a Democratic primary challenge but was challenged by a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, 18-year old Andrew Funk, in the general election. The district is heavily Democratic.
In his first full term, Liias was selected as the Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee, one of three budget-writing committees in the House of Representatives. He was also selected to serve on the influential Rules Committee, which plays a critical gatekeeping role in the legislative process. Liias served on three other committees: Education, Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Community & Economic Development & Trade.
In 2010, Liias was challenged by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Elizabeth Scott from Edmonds and won re-election with 54% of the vote. In January 2011, Liias was reappointed as Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee, and he was appointed to the Education Committee and the Technology, Energy and Communications Committee.
Liias is one of six openly
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
members of the Washington State Legislature, alongside Senator Ed Murray (D–Seattle) and 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
Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Incorporated in 1857, it is the fourth largest city in the state with a 2010 census population of 161,791 as of April 1, 2010...
), 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
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
), 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
Des Moines, Washington
Des Moines is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 29,673 at the 2010 census. Property within the city has been the subject of land buyouts because of noise from aircraft landing or taking off from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport two miles to the north of...
) and Laurie Jinkins
Laurie Jinkins
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...
(D–Tacoma
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...
).
Liias, who is of Finnish descent, speaks Finnish
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
.
Congressional candidate
On August 2, 2011, Liias announced he would be a candidate for the U.S. House seat currently held by Congressman Jay InsleeJay Inslee
Jay Robert Inslee is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1999. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes many of Seattle's northern suburbs in King, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties...
, who is retiring to run to succeed Christine Gregoire
Christine Gregoire
Christine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire is the 22nd and current Governor of the state of Washington, and a member of the Democratic Party. Gregoire defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the second female governor of Washington...
as Washington's governor. As redistricting is due to take place in Washington prior to the 2012 general elections
United States House of Representatives elections, 2012
The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections will be held on November 6, 2012. Elections will be held for all 435 seats, representing the 50 U.S. states. Elections will also be held for the delegates from the District of Columbia and five major U.S. territories.The winners of this...
but no map has yet been finalized, it is presently unclear in which district Liias will run. He will likely face fellow State Representative Roger Goodman
Roger Goodman
Roger Goodman is a Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 45th district since 2006. He has announced his candidacy for the US House of Representatives in the WA 1st congressional district.-Education:...
and former State Representative Laura Ruderman, and 44th legislative district state senator Steve Hobbs, all Democrats, and possibly Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Dennis Kucinich
Dennis John Kucinich is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He was furthermore a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections....
of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
as well, in the nonpartisan top-two primary election in 2012. If elected, he would be the only self-identifying Finnish American
Finnish American
Finnish Americans are Americans of Finnish descent, who currently number about 700,000.-History:Some Finns, like the ancestors of John Morton, came to the Swedish colony of New Sweden, that existed in mid-17th century....
member of Congress.