Karen Marchioro was a leader in the Washington Democratic Party and helped bring the party into a position of power in the state. When she took contol of the Democratic Party in 1981, following the Reagan Landslide of 1980, the Democrats in Washington were a mess, having lost the governorship, a vital Senate seat, and a slew of legislative seats. By the time of her death, Washington had given its electoral votes to five straight Democratic presidential candidates, and had contolled the Governor’s mansion since 1984.

Marchioro began her passion for politics during the Vietnam War, when she led a liberal revolt against the State Democratic Party leadership, which at the time was fairly conservative organization dominated by rural interests. This was the time when the top Democrat in the nation was President Lynden Johnson, a back-slapping, lapel-grabbing, good ol’ boy, Texas deal-making politician. Johnson was the man behind America’s involvement in Vietnam. Marchioro felt that the Democratic Party needed to take an anti-war stance, and she eventually led a grass-roots movement to make the Washington State Democratic Party into a liberal movement. In the process of transforming the state Democrats, Marchioro often disagreed with Senator Henry Jackson, a pro-war Democrat who saw the need for the U.S. to battle communism in Vietnam.

She served as the chair of the King County Democrats, and, in 1981, Marchioro became the head of the State party. As the leader of the state party, Marchioro recruited candidates who could win, and helped the Democrats begin their ascendency to power.

Political Positions:

King County Democratic Party Chair

1981-1993: State Democratic Party Chair

Karen Marchioro, 1933-2007: Passionate activist rebuilt state Democratic Party–Seattle PI, August 30, 2007

Marchioro kicked the Democrats into shape–Joel Connelly, PI, August 19, 2007

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Date Last Modified: 9/15/2007
Copyright © 1998-2007 Roger A. Lee and History Guy Media

King County Councilmember
Jane Hague  (R)

Jane Hague is currently the Vice-Chair of the Metro-King County Council.

Jane Hague, the Republican representing King County’s 6th Council District, is currently embroiled in several controversies which could adversely impact her re-election.  She was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI)  in June, 2007, and was abusive toward the arresting officer.  Unlike many other office-holders who get into legal trouble, she did not reveal her arrest publicly, and when the news actually hit the media in August, 2007, she found herself in the middle of a public relations nightmare.

Then, in September, the public and the media realized that part of her long-standing resume was false.  For years, newspapers and several "Who’s Who" publications stated that she was a graduate of Western Michigan University.  It turns out that she never graduated, and her official biography on the MKCC website lists her as having attended that college for four years, and makes no mention of a degree.

Her opponent in the election is Democrat Richard Pope.

Below is a list of offices and positions she has held (taken from the Metro-King County Council website)

photo from MKCC website

News: King County councilwoman faces DUI charge: Hague pulled over, cited June 2 on state Route 520–Seattle PI, August 21, 2007

Political/Government Offices Held

Bellevue Planning Commission (1986-1989)

Bellevue City Council (1990-1993)

Metropolitan King County Council (1994-present)

King County Council representative to Sound Transit Board (1996 – 2002)

Manager, King County Records and Elections Division (1986-1993)

Community Service & Professional Activities

Board of Directors, King County Boys & Girls Club (1999 – present)

Board Member, Bellevue Community College Foundation (1991-1993)

Advisory Committee, Youth Eastside Services (1998 – present)

Board of Trustees, the Overlake School) 1994-2000)

Board Member, Eastside Sexual Assault Center for Children (1991-1992)

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Date Last Modified: 9/15/2007
Copyright © 1998-2007 Roger A. Lee and History Guy Media

Metropolitan King County Council

City of Seattle

Seattle City Council

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Date Last Modified: 9/15/2007
Copyright © 1998-2007 Roger A. Lee and History Guy Media