Chris Stearns

Political Party: Democratic

District: 47th Legislative District

Chris Stearns is a Navajo state representative who has built a career as a dedicated public servant focused on practical solutions for working families. He is one of only a handful of Native Americans ever elected to the Washington State legislature. As a longtime resident of Auburn, he shares his home with his wife Pamela, two adult daughters who are Auburn High School graduates, a grandson, and their dogs Lovey and Peaches.

Education

Chris is a graduate of the Lawrenceville School, Williams College, and Cornell Law School, where he earned his law degree.

Political Experience

Current Positions:
- Speaker Pro Tempore for the Washington State House of Representatives, presiding over the House floor during debates and votes on bills
- Chair of the House Members of Color Caucus
- Vice-Chair of the State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
- Vice-Chair of the Regulated Substances & Gaming Committee
- Co-Chair of the Legislative Nuclear Energy Caucus
- Member of the Capital Budget, Environment & Energy, and Rules committees

Previous Service:
- First Native American elected to the Auburn City Council, where he served as Chair of the Public Works Committee and coordinated with other King County cities on public safety, affordable housing, drug dependency, and salmon recovery
- Two terms as Chair of the Washington State Gambling Commission
- Democratic Counsel for the Committee on Natural Resources in the U.S. House of Representatives
- First-ever Director of Native American Affairs for the U.S. Department of Energy under Energy Secretary Bill Richardson
- Attorney representing tribes

Legislative Priorities:
His focus areas include strengthening the state's energy system, protecting the environment, advancing good jobs for workers and working families, supporting small business owners, advancing civil rights, and protecting tribal sovereignty.