Kent Pullen | |
|---|---|
| Chair of theKing County Council | |
| In office January 1, 1994 – January 1, 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Audrey Gruger |
| Succeeded by | Jane Hague |
| Member ofKing County Council from the 9th district | |
| In office January 1, 1990 – April 14, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Gary Grant |
| Succeeded by | Steve Hammond |
| Member of theWashington Senate from the47th district | |
| In office January 13, 1975 – January 2, 1990 | |
| Preceded by | Martin Durkan |
| Succeeded by | Michael E. Patrick |
| Member of theWashington House of Representatives from the47th district | |
| In office January 8, 1973 – January 13, 1975 | |
| Preceded by | Gary Grant |
| Succeeded by | Marion Kyle Sherman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kent E. Pullen (1942-05-04)May 4, 1942 New Mexico, U.S. |
| Died | April 13, 2003(2003-04-13) (aged 60) Enumclaw, Washington, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of New Mexico (BA) University of Washington (DSc) |
Kent E. Pullen (May 4, 1942 – April 14, 2003) was an American politician fromWashington state. A member of theRepublican Party, he served in theWashington House of Representatives,Washington State Senate, and theKing County Council.
Pullen held political office for over 30 years. In 1972, he was elected to theWashington House of Representatives and in 1974, he was elected to theWashington State Senate representing the47th District, serving until 1990.[1][better source needed]
In 1989, Pullen was elected to theKing County Council representing the 9th Council District, narrowly winning by 306 votes.[2] He would chair the Law and Justice Committee and from 1994-1995, he would serve as the chair of the King County Council.[3][4]
Pullen described himself as a conservative who could work well with others.[2] He strongly supported unions, labor rights, and county employees, unlike his republican colleagues.[2][5]
He would be a strong supporter of civil rights by passing legislation that prohibits disciplinary action against workers who speak a language other than English on the job,[5] and voting against legislation clamping down on teenage "cruising."[5]
Pullen supported law enforcement and victims of crimes.[3] As chair of the Law and Justice Committee, he would pass laws that created stricter penalties for sex offenders,[3] supported victims of crime, and victims of domestic violence.[2]
Pullen waspro-gun rights, and had the nickname of "pistol-packin' Pullen".[5] While in the Washington State Senate, While on the Washington State Senate floor, Pullen openly carrying aSmith & Wesson and would successfully pass legislation allowing gun owners to leave their firearms in their cars.[5]
Pullman was a longtime supporter of alternative medicine.[6] He assisted in establishing the King County Natural Medicine Clinic inKent, Washington, the first government-subsidized natural medicine clinic in the United States.[7]
Pullen was a graduate of the University of New Mexico, where he met his wife.[5] In 1967, Pullen graduated from theUniversity of Washington with a Ph.D. inChemistry. When the state legislature was not in session, he worked atBoeing[6] and was a former councilman in theSociety of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA). Pullen was an avidchess player and tied for first place in the 1985 Washington State Chess Championship.[5][8]
Pullen was married for 39 years and is survived by his wife, Fay, and two children, Kathy and Walter.
In March 2003, Pullen announced that he was ill with a minor adrenal gland problem but denied any serious illness.[6] He received both traditional and nontraditional care.[6] On April 13, 2003, Pullen was admitted into Enumclaw Community Hospital, where he would die later that day.[2]
After his death, the King County Council voted to name the Regional Communication and Emergency Coordination Center after him.[4]