Jeff Morris

Jeffrey Robert Morris was born on February 24, 1964, in Anacortes, Washington. He is a fourth-generation native of Guemes Island and is a member of the Democratic Party. Morris is one of a few American Indian members in the Washington State Legislature, representing indigenous heritage in state politics.

Education

Morris graduated from Anacortes High School in 1982 and earned his degree from Central Washington University.

Political Experience

Morris served in the Washington House of Representatives representing the 40th Legislative District from 1997 to 2020. Based in Anacortes, he was repeatedly re-elected throughout his 23-year tenure.

During his legislative career, Morris held several prominent leadership positions:

• Speaker Pro Tempore
• House Democratic Floor Leader
• Chairman of the Technology and Economic Development Committee
• Chairman of the Finance and Technology, Energy, and Communications committees

Morris also served on the Environment and Transportation committees and held executive roles with the National Conference of State Legislatures, serving as past chairman of the Council of State Governments-West and past president of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region.

Notable legislative achievements include championing consumer protection measures, particularly regarding biometric data privacy. He was also a strong advocate for environmental conservation, including preservation efforts for Blanchard Mountain and salmon resources in the Salish Sea region.

Morris resigned mid-term on January 6, 2020, to accept a position with Schneider Electric, a Fortune 500 company, where he oversaw North American operations focused on energy infrastructure modernization and carbon footprint reduction.