Jeff Morris (politician)

Jeffrey Robert Morris (born February 24, 1964) is an American politician who served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 40th district from 1997 to 2020. A member of the Democratic Party, Morris was one of three self-identified American Indians, along with John McCoy (Tulalip Tribes) and Jay Rodne (Bad River Band of Chippewa), in the Washington State Legislature.^[1]

Jeff Morris
Speaker pro tempore of the Washington House of Representatives
In office January 14, 2008 – January 10, 2011
Preceded by	John Lovick
Succeeded by	Jim Moeller
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 40th district
In office January 13, 1997 – January 6, 2020
Preceded by	Cheryl Hymes
Succeeded by	Alex Ramel
Personal details
Born	Jeffrey Robert Morris (1964-02-24) February 24, 1964 (age 60) Anacortes, Washington, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Central Washington University
Occupation	Politician
Website	Official

Early life and education

Jeff Morris is a fourth-generation native of Guemes Island.^[2] He also lived in Anacortes, Washington, where he graduated Anacortes High School in 1982. He graduated from Central Washington University.

Career

Based in Anacortes, Morris became active in the Democratic Party and successfully ran for the state House of Representatives in 1996 to represent the 40th Legislative District.^[3] Repeatedly re-elected, he served as chairman of the Technology and Economic Development Committee and is also a member of the Environment and Transportation committees. He has previously served as speaker pro tempore, House floor leader, and chairman of the Finance and Technology, Energy, and Communications committees.

Morris served on the executive committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures and is the past chairman of the Council of State Governments-West and past president of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region.

He retired mid-term in 2020 to take a job in the private sector, and activist Alex Ramel was appointed to serve for the remainder of his term.^[4]

References

1. Wilkins, David E.; Stark, Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik (October 16, 2010). "Chapter 7: Indigenous Political Participation: Patriotism, Suffrage, and Partisanship". American Indian Politics and the American Political System (3rd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 165–188. ISBN 978-1442203884.
2. "2010 Washington Primary Election Candidate Profile: Jeff Morris". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
3. "Final, Official Election Results". The Seattle Times. 1996-12-06. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
4. "Rep. Jeff Morris accepts new position--will step down from Representing the 40th Legislative District". sanjuanislander.com. Retrieved 2020-01-07.

External links

• Legislative biography