Rep. Hurst will not seek re-election this year

Published 10:55 am Wednesday, April 27, 2016

For the Reporter

After serving the 31st Legislative District for 20 years, Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, has decided not to run for re-election, it was announced in a news release Wednesday.

After 25 years as a commissioned law enforcement officer and 20 years in elected politics, Hurst has decided that it is time for a change.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed serving in the state Legislature as an elected member of the House of Representatives,” Hurst said in the news release. “Although at times it’s a great deal of work, it has been very rewarding to have an opportunity like this to participate in our form of representative democracy. Although some aspects of the current national campaigns are more than a little bit of an embarrassment, Americans should be proud of the way in which we govern ourselves.

“I am honored to have played a part in the history of our state,” he said.

Hurst was best known in his political career as a moderate who tried to get folks to govern from the center. The 31st District has always been one of the toughest swing districts in the state, and in recent years Hurst was the first person in state history to run under the Independent Democrat party label.

His tenure included chairing three different House Committees – the Select Committee on Community Security, the Public Safety Committee, and most recently, as chairman of the House Commerce and Gaming Committee.

“This was not an easy decision to come to, and while I look forward to being able to spend more quality time with my family and to begin some long delayed new pursuits, I have thoroughly enjoyed working on behalf of the citizens of the 31st Legislative District,” Hurst said.

Hurst continued:

“I believe that it is time for someone new to represent the 31st District in Olympia. We do not want the Washington state Legislature to resemble Congress, where members remain for so long in office that they become more focused on safeguarding their seat rather than working towards the best public policy, and unfortunately we already have some of those folks in Olympia today.”

Hurst will complete his term and remain in office until the new member is sworn in in January, and will continue to work for the 31st District until his term expires.

“I would like to thank you for allowing me to represent you, it has truly been an honor and a privilege,” Hurst said.

Hurst said he will do his best to see that whomever replaces him is successful in their transition after they are elected in November.