Bruce Dammeier

Bruce Dammeier
Dammeier in 2018
6th Executive of Pierce County
In office
January 3, 2017 – January 1, 2025
Preceded byPat McCarthy
Succeeded byRyan Mello
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 25th district
In office
January 14, 2013 – December 31, 2016
Preceded byJim Kastama
Succeeded byHans Zeiger
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 25th district
In office
January 12, 2009 – January 14, 2013
Preceded byRob Cerqui
Succeeded byDawn Morrell
Personal details
Born1961 (age 63–64)
Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
University of Washington (MS)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1979–1987

Bruce F. Dammeier (born 1961)[1] is an American politician and engineer who served as county executive of Pierce County, Washington from 2017 to 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a member of both chambers of the Washington State Legislature.

Early life and education

Dammeier was born in Tacoma, Washington.[2] He graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in ocean engineering. He received his Master of Science degree in engineering from the University of Washington.[3]

Political career

Dammeier served two terms on the Puyallup School Board from 2001 to 2009. In 2008, he was elected to the Washington House of Representatives from the 25th District, defeating Democrat Rob Cerqui with 54 percent of the vote.[4] He was re-elected in 2010 with 64 percent of the vote.[5] In 2012, Dammeier was elected to the State Senate, defeating Democrat Eric Herde with 62 percent of the vote.[6]

Pierce County Executive

In 2016, Dammeier opted to run for Pierce County Executive rather than seek re-election to the State Senate.[7] He placed second in the primary election, receiving 30 percent of the vote to Democrat Rick Talbert's 46 percent,[8] and they advanced to the general election. Dammeier narrowly defeated Talbert in the general election, winning 52 percent of the vote to Talbert's 48 percent, and became the first Republican to be elected County Executive since 1996.[9] Dammeier was re-elected in 2020, defeating former Democratic State Representative Larry Seaquist with 55 percent of the vote.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Legislative Manual, 2015-2016" (PDF). State of Washington. 2015. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  2. ^ "Puyallup resident Dammeier launches campaign for Pierce County Executive". The News Tribune. 2016-06-09. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  3. ^ "Bruce Dammeier Biography". Archived from the original on 2011-08-18.
  4. ^ "Legislative District 25 - State Representative Pos. 1". Washington Secretary of State. November 26, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  5. ^ "Legislative District 25 - State Representative Pos. 1". Washington Secretary of State. November 29, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  6. ^ "Legislative District 25 - State Senator". Washington Secretary of State. November 27, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  7. ^ Fickes, Andrew (June 9, 2016). "Puyallup resident Dammeier launches campaign for Pierce County Executive". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  8. ^ "August 2, 2016 - Summary Report - Pierce County - Final Report". Pierce County Auditor. August 16, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  9. ^ "November 8, 2016 - Summary Report - Pierce County - Final". Pierce County Auditor. November 28, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  10. ^ Peterson, Josephine (November 5, 2020). "Bruce Dammeier, Pierce County Executive, has won another term". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. p. A3. Retrieved August 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.