Senator Mark Mullet enters race for WA state Governor

OLYMPIA, Wash., June 5, 2023—State Senator Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) announced his candidacy for Washington State Governor last Thursday, June 1. Mullet is now the fifth Democratic candidate running for the position.

Governor Jay Inslee announced in May that he would not be seeking a fourth term. He was most recently re-elected in 2020, making him only the second Washington state governor to serve three consecutive terms.

“Now is the time to intensely focus on all we can accomplish in the next year and a half, and I intend to do just that. I look forward to continued partnership with legislators and community leaders to address Washington’s homelessness crisis, speed our efforts to expand behavioral health services, continue our fight against climate change, and continue making Washington a beacon of progress for all,” Inslee wrote in a prepared statement.

Sen. Mullet has represented the 5th Legislative District since 2012 which includes Black Diamond, Issaquah, Maple Valley, North Bend, Renton, Sammamish, and Snoqualmie. He currently serves as Vice Chair for the Senate Ways and Means Committee, and serves on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, and the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming and Trade Committee.

mark Mullet — Mark Mullet with his family. SOURCE: Mark Mullet for Governor

Since taking office, Sen. Mullet has helped secure funding for a new interchange at S.R.18 and I-90, secured funds to open a new Tahoma High School in Maple Valley, and sponsored/passed legislation to enact a $400 million property tax cut, expand college financial aid, and defend against credit card fraud, among other things. His platform revolves around affordable housing, access to college, and public safety.

Prior to joining the State Senate, Mullet served on the Issaquah City Council from 2009 until 2013.

Originally hailing from Tukwilla, Mullet graduated from Foster High School before earning his Bachelor’s in Finance from Indiana University in 1994, then his Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington in 2008. He is a small business owner, father of six children, and his wife is a teacher in the Issaquah School District.

“I’m running for governor because I believe in our state and I know what we’ve achieved together is just the beginning. We’ll protect our progress and create good-paying green energy jobs, deliver the best education, and make sure every family can afford to live & thrive here,” Sen. Mullet tweeted June 1.

I’m running for governor because I believe in our state & I know what we’ve achieved together is just the beginning. We’ll protect our progress AND create good-paying green energy jobs, deliver the best education, and make sure every family can afford to live & thrive here.
— Mark Mullet (@electmullet) June 1, 2023

So far, competing for the Governor’s seat against Sen. Mullet next year will be Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, Yakima-based Doctor Raul Garcia, Richmond School Board member Misipati Semi Bird, El’ona Kearney, James Daniel, Laurel Khan, Kristin Schuler, and Martin Wheeler.