Biography

Curtis Paul King is an American businessman and Republican politician who represents the 14th legislative district in the Washington State Senate. Born in Yakima, Washington, in 1946, King is a lifelong resident of South Central Washington. He and his wife Lois are the parents of two daughters and grandparents to two grandchildren. Before entering politics, King built a career in business and industry, including running a commercial cabinet shop with his father and brother, which grew to employ 40 people.

King has long been active in his community, serving as a past president of the Central Washington State Fair Board and as a member for 16 years. In the state legislature, he has held leadership roles and has focused on transportation, economic development, and local government issues.

Education

Curtis King holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Washington. While working for General Electric on the East Coast, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Clemson-Furman Universities.

Political Experience

Curtis King has represented Washington’s 14th legislative district in the State Senate since his original appointment in 2007. The district covers parts of Yakima County, including the city of Yakima and surrounding communities in South Central Washington.

In the Senate, he has served on the Transportation Committee and for several years chaired the Senate Transportation Committee from 2015 through 2017, after previously serving as a bipartisan co‑chair. During his tenure as chair, he was the primary sponsor of the first successful transportation revenue package in more than a decade. This $16 billion infrastructure package funded major transportation projects, regional congestion relief efforts, road safety improvements, and maintenance for existing roads and bridges.

King also serves as the Ranking Minority Member on the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee and is a member of the Rules Committee. He has received recognition for his work, including the NFIB Guardians of Small Business award in 2014 and the Washington Farm Bureau’s Legislator of the Year award in 2021, reflecting his focus on small business and agricultural interests.