Donn Charnley (April 3, 1928 – February 5, 2023[1]) was an American politician in the state of Washington. Charnley served in the Washington House of Representatives and Washington State Senate as a Democrat from the 1st and 44th Districts from 1971 until 1985. In his second stint in the House 1983–1985, Charnley served as the Majority Whip.[2][3]

Donn Charnley
Charnley in 1971
Member of the Washington House of Representatives for the 44th district Pos. 1
In office
1971–1981
Member of the Washington State Senate for the 1st district
In office
November 1980–1983
Member of the Washington House of Representatives for the 1st district
In office
1983–1985
Personal details
Born(1928-04-03)April 3, 1928
Detroit, Michigan, United States
DiedFebruary 5, 2023(2023-02-05) (aged 94)
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of Washington Bachelor's and Masters in Geology and University of Minnesota M.A.
OccupationProfessor of Geology at Shoreline Community College

Early life and career edit

Charnely was born in Detroit to journalism professor Mitchell Charnley and writer Margery “Peg” Lindsay. He graduated from Broadway High School in Seattle in 1945.[4] Charnley graduated with a bachelor's and masters degree in Geology from the University of Washington, and later a mater's degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1965.[5]

In 1964, Charnley started teaching at Shoreline Community College, retiring in 1996. After spending his first ten years in the Seattle Public Schools including a time at West Seattle High School.

Political career edit

Charnley ran for and was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1970 in the 44th Legislative District Pos.1 . He served in this position until 1980. During this time served on the Transportation Committee and Local Government Committee.

In 1980, Charnley was elected to the Washington State Senate, serving until 1983. In 1982, Charnley was reelected to the State House in the 1st LD. In 1984, Charnley unsuccessfully ran for the State Senate in the 1st LD against Bill Kiskaddon by a 52 percent to 48 percent margin.[6][7]

References edit

  1. ^ "Donn Charnley 1928-2023". Shoreline Area News. February 9, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  2. ^ http://web.leg.wa.gov/WomenInTheLegislature/Members/MemberBios/GranlundB_1983.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  3. ^ Who's who in the West. Marquis-Who's Who. 1982. ISBN 9780837909189.
  4. ^ "Broadway High School 1945". Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  5. ^ "TELOS Student Organization". Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  6. ^ Smith, Evan (12 December 2015). "Legislator Bill Kiskaddon was last Republican to represent Shoreline". Shoreline Area News. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  7. ^ Smith, Evan (7 November 2010). "CORRECTION: 1981 redistricting was done to help not punish Mountlake Terrace Republican". Shoreline Area News. Retrieved 8 February 2023.