Kevin Van De Wege

Kevin Van De Wege is a Democratic politician from Washington who represents the 24th Legislative District, which encompasses the Olympic Peninsula and the largest wildland area in the state. A lifelong Washington resident, he is a firefighter and paramedic by profession, and a husband and father.

Van De Wege's parents instilled core values of family and service in him from a young age. When he became old enough to serve his community, he became a volunteer firefighter and eventually turned it into a full-time career, earning degrees in fire administration and fire investigation as well as paramedic certification.

Education

Van De Wege earned a BA in Social Science from Washington State University and an MA in Public Administration from Fort Hays University.

Political Experience

Van De Wege has served 18 years as an elected official in the Washington State Legislature. He served five terms in the State House of Representatives prior to winning election to the State Senate in 2016. He completed his second term in the State Senate, where he served as chair of the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee. He also served on the Senate Ways & Means Committee and the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee.

Notable legislative accomplishments include securing permanent, year-round funding for a rescue tug at Neah Bay and keeping state parks open to the public during severe budget challenges. In 2009, he received a "Sound Hero" award from People for Puget Sound for his work protecting Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca from oil spills. He was also named Legislator of the Year by the Washington State Farm Bureau in recognition of his support for farm and ranch families across Washington state.