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About Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

Steve Hobbs is Washington’s 16th Secretary of State. He was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to replace Kim Wyman, who resigned mid-term to join the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Secretary Hobbs began his tenure Nov. 22, 2021.

As head of one of the most diverse offices in state government, Secretary Hobbs is responsible for managing state and local elections, corporation and charity filings, Washington State Library, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, and Washington State Archives. In addition, his office oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, and administers the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary of State, Hobbs was the state senator for Washington’s 44th legislative district, having first been elected in 2006. During his tenure he served as chair of the Transportation Committee, and was a member of the Business, Financial Services & Trade; and Environment, Energy & Technology committees.

As state senator, Hobbs adopted an expansive policy agenda that included local job creation through helping small businesses and improving transportation infrastructure. He promoted legislation to enhance state government accountability, and worked with the community to create new and innovative approaches to strengthening education. He particularly focused on expanding high-school and college programs that prepare students for the growing demand in the high-tech industry locally and globally.

Secretary Hobbs is a lieutenant colonel in the Washington Army National Guard and proudly served in Kosovo and Iraq. In 2020, he was mobilized to command 750 service members during Washington’s COVID-19 response. Hobbs was responsible for all Guard personnel located at Western Washington food banks from Skagit County to Pierce County. As state senator, he continually advocated for Washington state’s service members and their families by drafting policies that recognize the complex needs of men and women in the military. He worked with service members statewide to develop legislation ranging from help in education, finding good family wage jobs, and protecting veterans’ rights.

Secretary Hobbs has received numerous awards and honors from civic and community organizations for his legislative work and military service, including:

• 2019 Everett Community College’s Distinguished Alumni Award
• 2018 Citizen of the Year Award, Snohomish County-Camano Association of REALTORS
• 2017 Washington State Patrol Troopers Association Legislator of the Year
• 2014 President’s Appreciation Award, Washington State Dairy Federation
• 2014 Certificate of Commendation, Washington Farm Bureau
• 2014 Power of Choice Award, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
• 2014 Honorary Member of the Year, Puget Sound Energy
• 2013 Legislator of the Year, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
• 2013 Proud Partner Award, Washington State Housing Finance Commission
• 2013 U.S. Department of Defense Certificate of Appreciation
• 2012 Housing Hero, Housing Consortium of Everett & Snohomish County
• 2012 Legislative Recognition Award, Public School Employees of Washington
• 2012 Bringing Washington Home Advocacy Award, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
• 2011 Legislator of the Year, Aerospace Futures Alliance
• 2011 Matson Award, Association of Washington Business
• 2010 Pioneer Educator
• 2010 NAACP Distinguished Armed Services Award
• 2010 Friend of Farm Bureau Award, Farm Bureau of Washington
• 2010 WASA Region Certificate of Achievement, Washington Association of School Administrators
• 2009 Housing Hero, Snohomish County-Camano Association of REALTORS
• 2009 Certificate of Appreciation, American Legion Post 96 of Snohomish County
• 2008-2010 Legislator of the Year, Washington Association for Career and Technical Education
• 2008 Legislator of the Year, Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs
• 2007 Super Star Award, Washington State Skill Centers
• 2007-2009 Business Champion, Joint Snohomish County Chambers of Commerce
• 2007-2008 Legislative Leadership Award, Statewide Poverty Action Network
• Commanders Award, Disabled American Veterans Dept. of Washington

Raised in a working-class family, Secretary Hobbs learned the value of hard work and education. He received his master’s degree in public administration in 2011 and a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1994 at the University of Washington. He also holds an associate’s degree from Everett Community College.

Secretary Hobbs is a proud husband and father. He married his wife Pam in 1995, and together they raised three boys: Gavin, Truman, and Winston. Truman and Winston are in college, and Gavin recently enlisted in the Washington National Guard.