OLYMPIA—Washington state House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Seattle) acknowledged Thursday that he drank alcohol before a late-night committee hearing Wednesday evening, where lawmakers said he appeared impaired while wrapping up debate on a key budget bill.
The Democrat from West Seattle, in a statement to conservative radio host Jason Rantz, called it a “poor choice” and promised it would not happen again.
“I made a poor choice last night by drinking alcohol before we had finished our work for the day,” Fitzgibbon wrote in his statement to The Jason Rantz Show on Seattle Red 770 AM. “I am disappointed in myself and take responsibility for that poor choice. It won’t happen again, and I’m committed to completing my work this session without alcohol.”
The episode unfolded during a Wednesday night session of the House Appropriations Committee, where members discussed House Bill 2289. The measure proposes supplemental adjustments to the state’s 2025-27 operating budget, boosting appropriations from near-general fund accounts by about $1.2 billion to a total of $79.1 billion. It includes maintenance and policy changes to the original $77.9 billion plan passed last year, along with an emergency clause for immediate effect.
Video towards the end of the hearing shows Fitzgibbon delivering closing remarks with slurred speech, disheveled hair and glassy eyes, according to Rantz’s exclusive report on Seattle Red.
Republican lawmakers who attended the meeting expressed surprise and concern, with some describing Fitzgibbon’s demeanor as clearly affected.
The incident drew bipartisan murmurs in the chamber, though no formal action followed immediately. By Thursday afternoon, Fitzgibbon returned to the Appropriations Committee without apparent issues.
Fitzgibbon, 39, has represented the 34th Legislative District since his election in 2010. A graduate of Principia College with a degree in history and political science, he previously worked as a legislative aide and intern before entering public office.
Colleagues elected him majority leader in November 2022, succeeding Pat Sullivan. In the role, Fitzgibbon has focused on uniting a diverse Democratic caucus to deliver results for Washingtonians, emphasizing policies that reflect the state’s Democratic values and needs.
His tenure includes chairing the House Environment and Energy Committee since 2015, where he spearheaded major environmental reforms. Among his key successes: the Clean Energy Transformation Act, which mandates 100% clean energy by 2045; a low-carbon fuel standard to cut transportation emissions; and the Climate Commitment Act, establishing a cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon pollution. Washington Conservation Voters named him Legislator of the Year in 2015.
As majority leader, Fitzgibbon ranks second to the speaker, managing daily floor operations, building coalitions for party priorities and serving as a public voice for Democrats. The position demands juggling tight timetables and member demands. Late sessions and high-stakes votes amplify the stress of the position, with pressures of policy deadlines creating a relentless pace.
When leaders in such roles falter due to impairment, decisions on budgets affecting millions might suffer from clouded judgment—eroding public confidence in government.
“This was a painful and embarrassing lesson, one I won’t forget, and I will not put myself and others in this situation again in the future,” Fitzgibbon told KOMO on the incident. “Again, I apologize.”
Fitzgibbon has not indicated any ongoing substance use disorder, but his candor in admitting the mistake stands out in a field where vulnerabilities often stay hidden. Coming forward takes guts, especially for someone in the spotlight, and it opens a door for others to seek help without fear.
War Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth faced scrutiny in 2025 over reports of drinking at work during his Fox News and nonprofit stints, though he denied the claims and avoided formal consequences.
Author: Mario Lotmore
