John Richard McCoy , a member of the Tulalip Tribes, was a Democratic politician who represented Washington's 38th Legislative District . Born on October 29, 1943, in Tulalip, Washington, he served in the Washington House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013 and the State Senate from 2013 to 2020. He was the only self-identified Native American in the State Senate and a champion for tribal sovereignty, public education, environmental protections, and human rights. McCoy passed away on June 6, 2023. Notable achievements include passage of the Native American Voting Rights Act, a dental therapy bill for reservations, establishment of Native American Heritage Day, and the Kelsey Smith Act for emergency cell phone location data. He also chaired the Senate Democratic Caucus in 2016 and received an Honorary Master of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College, named 2020 Public Official of the Year.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bestowed with an Honorary Master of Public Administration degree from The Evergreen State College.
• Political Experience:
  • Washington House of Representatives : Five terms; sponsored bills on student behavioral health, water rights, wage discrimination, immigrant worker protections, and tribal history in teacher training.
  • Washington State Senate : Appointed in 2013; chaired Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs Committee; vice chair of Environment Committee; later served on Natural Resources, Agriculture/Water/Trade/Economic Development, and Rules Committees. Retired April 17, 2020, for health reasons.