Prior Experience
Washington State Governor, 1997-2005

Gary was elected Washington’s 21st governor on November 5, 1996, making him the first Chinese American governor in U.S. history. On November 7, 2000, Gary, a Democrat, was reelected to his second term by an overwhelming margin.

As governor, he worked to make Washington a better place to live, work and raise a family by dramatically raising academic achievement in the public schools; strengthening the state’s economy, improving transportation, expanding health care to vulnerable children and adults, and making the state government more accessible and user-friendly.

Gary’s organizational and managerial accomplishments have been recognized by Governing Magazine as one of America’s five best managed states, as a finalist in the Harvard Innovations in Government program, and as the most Digital State Government.

King County Executive, 1994-1997

As chief executive Gary expanded transit services, adopted a nationally acclaimed growth management plan and successfully merged a regional transit and sewage treatment agency into county government.

Washington State House of Representatives, 1983-1994

Gary served on the House Judiciary and Appropriations Committees, with his final five years as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, writing state budgets.

Deputy Criminal Prosecutor, King County, Washington, 1976-1980

Memberships and Activities
Chair, Democratic Governor’s Association, 2003

Board Member, Digital Learning Commons, 2003 – present

Board Member, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 2005 - present

Board Member, Pacific Health Summit Senior Advisory Group, 2004 – present

Board Member, Safeco, Inc., 2005 - present

Board Member, Seattle Art Museum, 2006 - present

Member, Committee 100, 2005 - present

Named as one of the Lawdragon “500 New Stars, New Worlds” in 2006

Education
J.D., Boston University, 1975

B.A., Yale, 1972