ABOUT GERRY
Representative Gerry Pollet is one of the most consistently progressive voices in the Washington State Legislature, known for turning bold values into lasting policy wins for working families, students, our environment, tenants, and vulnerable communities.
​
A public interest attorney, educator, and longtime environmental advocate, Pollet has dedicated his career to expanding opportunity and holding powerful institutions accountable. Before serving in the Legislature, he co-founded Heart of America Northwest and made the cleanup of the Hanford nuclear site his life’s work — standing up to federal agencies to protect workers, Tribes, and Washington’s land and water. He is currently on the faculty at the University of Washington in the School of Public Health.
​
In Olympia, he has led on some of the state’s most transformative progressive policies. He led the effort to make college free for low-income students and affordable for all through the Washington College Grant. He has championed full funding for special education, been the leading voice for funding Seattle Public Schools, statewide screening of all students for reading disabilities, and protecting our children from lead in their school water.
​
Gerry has also been at the forefront of housing justice — sponsoring and supporting major rent stabilization and tenant protection laws, advancing transit-oriented development, legalizing middle housing, and pushing cities to actually implement affordable housing mandates. He has long supported rent control and progressive revenue to ensure that working families are not left behind.
​
Gerry is widely recognized as the leading voice in the Legislature for Open Government and accountability. He has led the fight against legislators keeping secret their emails and communications with lobbyists and donors.
​
Throughout his career, Gerry Pollet has combined principle with persistence — often leading on issues before they were politically easy. Whether fighting for environmental justice, reproductive freedom, democratic access, or economic fairness, he brings a clear belief to his work: the government should actively expand rights, protect the vulnerable, and create opportunity for all.
​
He represents the 46th Legislative District and continues to push Washington toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable future.
