Sherry Phyllis Appleton was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She represented Washington's 23rd Legislative District in the House of Representatives from 2005 to 2021, covering areas including Bainbridge Island, Keyport, Kingston, Suquamish, Port Gamble, Silverdale, and East Bremerton. A leading advocate for veterans, active-duty military families, criminal justice reform, animal welfare, education, and transportation , she retired at the end of her term in January 2021 after 16 years in the House.

Notable achievements include chairing House committees on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs, and Local Government; chairing the Council of State Governments’ Public Safety Committee; and serving on the Washington Council on Aging and state Commission on Judicial Conduct. She received awards such as the John Heinz Memorial Award from the National Adult Day Services Association, Champion of Justice Award from the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Legislator of the Year from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Education and Political Experience

Limited public details are available on her formal education. Her political career began with two terms on the Poulsbo City Council, followed by election to the Washington House in 2004. She served on committees including Local Government, Public Safety, State Government & Tribal Relations, Community Development, and the Joint Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs; the state Sentencing Guidelines Commission ; and as an advisor to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. She was also a former board member of the Association of Washington Cities and Northwest Women’s Law Center.